Born in Tbilissi, Georgia, Elisso Bolkvadze began her musical study at the early age of four and was immediately accepted at Prodigy School.

She performed her first concert with orchestra at the age of seven. 

Elisso Bolkvadze continued her study in the conservatory of Tbilisi with professor Tengiz Ameredjibi and at the same time she followed a master class with Professor Tatiana Nicolaeva in Moscow. Later, French composer and musician Michel Sogny provided to her an important artistic influence.

 

Elisso Bolkvadze won numerous international piano competitions such as: 

 

Van Cliburn Competition (USA), Vianna da Motta (Lisbon), Axa International Piano Competition (Dublin), Marguerite Long Competition - special prize for the best interpretation of French music (Paris). 

 

A superstar in her country of birth Elisso Bolkvadze was awarded with "The Medal of Georgian Government” – one of the most prestigious national honors. 

 

Elisso Bolkvadze is regularly invited to play with international orchestras such as: Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Festival Orchestra, Lithuanian National Orchestra, National Philharmonic of Ukraine, Innsbruck Symphony Orchestra, The Gewandhaus Orchestra, France National Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Elisso Bolkvadze frequently appears such venues as Salle Pleyel, Salle Gaveau , Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (Paris), The Herkulessaal (Munich), Alte Opera (Frankfurt), Kennedy Center (Washington), Pasadena Auditorium (Los Angeles), Theatro Manzoni (Italy), Konzerthaus Berlin (Germany), Ravello Festival ( Italy).

 

She recorded albums for Sony BMG, performing piano concertos by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Liszt.

 

French national TV-channel LCI aired a full documentary film about Elisso Bolkvadze. She regularly appears on Mezzo channel, playing several live performances.

 

Elisso Bolkvadze has won great critical acclaim for her unique sensibility, power and sincerity.

 

Her CD « Sant-Saens Concerto N2 » realised by swiss label Cascavelle has met great critical acclaim in the media.

 

"Formidable Talent” – The New York Times

"Major Artist” – Los Angeles Times

"Outstanding Sensibility” – Figaroscop

"Brilliant virtuosity and chic personality” – Classica Magazine

"La Prodigieuse Pianist” – Figaro Magazine.

 

"I was extremely impressed by her musicality and the complete control she has over her instrument " - Zubin Mehta

 

Recently she founded charity foundation "Lyra” for helping talented young Georgian pianists.

 

In 2015, for the first time in history of Georgia, pianist Elisso Bolkvadze becomes UNESCO Artist For Peace.