Brief Description of Daisi opera (1923)
Libretto: V. Gunia.
Malhaz - T. Zaalishvili
Maro - M. Amiranashvili
Nano - E. Khidjakadze
Tito - G.Torondjadze
Tsangala - T. Mushkudiani
Kiazo - D. Gamrekeli
Chorus and Symphonic Orchestra of Georgian State Opera and Theatre
Conductor: V. Paliashvili
Action 1.
A small village is situated at the foot of high maintenance. It's not a big population gathered not far from the church and was celebrating an ecclesiastic feast. Not far from the church two friends – Maro and Nano were silently talking to each other. Maro is in a bad mood - her sweetheart, Malhaz had left the village a long ago and there was no any message from him. Maro had been waiting till that time but there were less and less hopes for his return. Maro loved him but she had to comply with her mother who insisted on engaging Maro with brave soldier Kiazo. Maro did not love him. Resilient Nano tries to become Nino and accept life as it is. But Maro prefers not to take part in a pleasant celebration but to stay alone with her deep experience.
Suddenly she got a message that Malhaz was coming and in a few minutes Malhaz appeared. For a moment her heart was full of joy and happiness. But then she remembered that she was already engaged. Malhaz did not understand the sudden changes in her mood. Maro nipped him why he did not send her even a small sign that he was alive. She had no power and reason to oppose her mother and reject Kiazo's offer to become his wife.
The crowd approached – Maro's mother's guests to have fun. In a cheerful dancing and competitions take place both aged people and young generation. In one of the competitions, Malhaz laughed at old man Tsangala and the last got angry. Malhaz did his best to avoid the fight.
Nano arranged a roundelay and artificially brought Malhaz and Maro together. Tricky Tsangala guessed that it was deliberately organized and threatened to tell everything Kiazo. Nano got angry and forced Tsangala to go away. Tsangala left the celebration offended and keeping anger in his heart.
One dance was changing another and then the church bell indicated the end of the celebration. When guests were leaving the place Malhaz tried to speak to Maro and explain everything but she declined his attempt.
Action 2.
Interrupted celebration proceeded out of the church territory. Again dances and songs sounded. Selected time. Old man Tsangala told Kiazo about the unfaithful behavior of Maro and her emotions toward Malhaz. Kiazo was shocked by this news and decided that he would revenge.
Eventually, Malhaz stayed with Maro tet-a-tet. Getting out of the church and enjoying the starry sky, Maro was sorrowful about her hard destiny forced her to become the bride of a man who was not beloved by her. The appointment was interrupted by Kiazo. Malhaz had no intention to avoid get-together but Maro insisted he would leave by that time. Suddenly new information was distributed – an enemy attacked the country. Experienced Kiazo must head the fight against the aggressor. People recited the words of famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli (XII century) – “The death but death with glory is better than inglorious days' of shame”. The patriotic song was sung.
Action 3.
Kizao's love for Maro overpowered the sense of civil duty and he left the army to have the possibility to explain Maro his feelings. Early in the morning, near the church he met Mato. But that meeting brought more uncertainty and shocked Kiazo – the girl did not accept his rebuke. She was engaged but she did not love him and never promised to love him. In an impulse of anger, she threw an engagement ring at him. Suddenly Malhaz appeared and despite his peaceful greeting there was a tense situation – Kiazo understood that he had no right to betray his patriotic duties and he was ready to go to war but he required a full breaching of contacts between Maro and Malhaz. They declined this request and furious Kiazo tried to kill Maro but Malhaz defended her. The fighting started but it was interrupted by the emergence of soldiers. They were going to war and called Kiazo to join them. For the last time, Maro begged Kiazo to forget her and to go to fulfill his civil duty. Kaizo was mad with jealousy and did not listen to anybody's suggestions. He deadly wondered Malhaz. Maro and other women were crying at the dead Malhaz.
The oldest soldier disgraced Kiazo who because of his passion for the woman betrayed his motherland. Kiazo was shocked as well – he is ready to go to war to give out his life to redeem himself from a sin.
The brave soldiers were leaving for war to defend the freedom of their homeland.