Biographie
Nani Bregvadze is a distinguished Georgian singer and actress, celebrated for her captivating stage presence and sensitive interpretations of Georgian and Russian songs.
Born in 1938 in Tbilisi, Georgia, then part of the Soviet Union, she was named Nani Georgievna Bregvadze. Her father, Georgi Efremovich Bregvadze, transitioned from engineering to acting, while her mother, Olga Aleksandrovna Mikeladze, an amateur pianist, hailed from Georgian nobility. Raised among five sisters in an intellectually rich family environment, Nani inherited a kind nature and learned to appreciate the good in all people.
From a young age, Nani showed a passion for music. She studied singing under the guidance of her aunt and mother before enrolling at a music school in Tbilisi. Her stage debut came in 1957 at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow, where Leonid Utyosov noticed her talent and encouraged her to pursue a professional singing career. Between 1958 and 1963, she studied singing and piano at the Tbilisi State Conservatory, graduating in 1963 as both a concert pianist and singer. Initially conflicted between the two paths, her career direction was solidified when impresario Bruno Coquatrix invited her to Paris as a singer.
In the mid-1960s, she toured extensively with the Moscow Music Hall, performing in Moscow and at the Olympia in Paris. From 1965 to 1980, she traveled worldwide as part of the "Orera" vocal ensemble based in Tbilisi. Since 1980, she has performed as a solo artist, building a vast repertoire of several hundred songs across various styles and cultures. Singing in multiple languages, she achieved particular acclaim for her flawless renditions of traditional Georgian folk songs and intimate Russian romance classics.
Nani Bregvadze earned numerous accolades, including the titles People's Artist of the USSR and People's Artist of Georgia, as well as the State Prize of Georgia for her cultural contributions. Her records have sold millions globally. She holds honorary citizenships in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Benalmadena, Spain. Beyond her artistic career, Bregvadze is a dedicated practitioner of yoga and an advocate of an organic lifestyle, with a deep appreciation for classical literature.
Known for her skillful connection with diverse audiences, Nani Bregvadze’s heartfelt and intimate performances reveal the subtle beauty of lyrics and melodies, resonating with international listeners. She divides her time between her homes in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Moscow, Russia.
