Ensemble Basiani

Ensemble Basiani was created in 2000, becoming the folk ensemble of the Georgian Patriarchate. In 2013, the group was given the status of State Ensemble of Georgian Folk Singing by the government of Georgia.

Ensemble Basiani is composed of singers from different parts of Georgia. Most members come from families that perform traditional singing and many have sung folk songs in other ensembles since childhood.

Since the day of its inception, Ensemble Basiani has actively revived and popularized many examples of Georgian traditional poly­phony. e group has rediscovered a large number of traditional folk songs, released many albums, participated in numerous internationally acclaimed festivals, and performed at prestigious venues around the world, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Gulbekian Great Hall in Lisbon, the Grand Hall of the Saint Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Society, the Aldeburgh Music Festival (England), the Kilkenny Arts Festival (Ireland), and many others.

The Ensemble has visited the United States several times (2010, 2012, 2016, and 2019), performing in prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center (NY), Stanford Live’s Bing Concert Hall, Town Hall (NY), Krannert Center for Performing Arts (IL), and others. The group last performed at Cal Performances in 2019.

“Basiani” is the name of one of the regions in southwest Georgia (northwest of the town of Erzurum, in what is now Turkey). In 1203, Georgian royal troops defeated the enemy there, consolidating Georgia’s position in Asia Minor.

In Georgia, the battle of Basiani is associated with devotion, unity, and love of homeland. e members of the ensemble wish to present their beloved music with similar devotion.