family went into debt in order that she have this opportunity. Her career breakthrough came when she was chosen by the then music director of La Scala, Daniel Barenboim, to sing the title role in a new production of Carmen at that theatre. This production of Carmen in 2009 with tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Don José was televised worldwide and brought Anita Rachvelishvili to international attention. Of this break she has said, "it was unbelievable and a fabulous challenge for me, something which changed a lot in my life." Praised for her strong voice and striking stage presence, her Carmen came into significant demand. Rachvelishvili has performed the role of Carmen at leading opera houses including The Royal Opera, London, the Canadian Opera Company, the Metropolitan Opera New York, and others. She is well regarded in her homeland; Georgian newspaper The Financial has stated: "Long, black curly hair, strict but at the same time very tender - a view of this beautiful Georgian lady would convince you that she is the best Bizet’s Carmen ever." Her 2016 wedding was streamed online by the director of the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra. She has expressed the desire to promulgate Georgian music: "Yes, we have lots of beautiful operas in Georgian. I hope to sing Georgian opera in Europe or America someday!" She performs frequent charity concerts on Georgian television, including some jazz or folk songs in her repertoire. Overall she retains strong bonds with her home country and is emotionally invested in Georgia becoming prosperous and successful. Other roles at leading opera houses include Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice, Dalila in Samson and Delilah, Dulcinée in Don Quichotte and Končakovna in Prince Igor. In 2016, Rachvelishvili appeared as Amneris in highly acclaimed performances of Aida at the Paris Opera and in 2018 at the Metropolitan Opera. A New York Times review of the last of these was highly praiseful, calling her performance "stupendous", especially highlighting her singing across titular star Anna Netrebko: "[both] sang ferociously as they hurled accusatory phrases at each other. Yet each found moments in the music to suggest the womanly longing that consumes them." Recorded works She has appeared in DVDs of Orfeo ed Euridice and Prince Igor and streaming videos of Prince Igor, Carmen, Aida, and Adriana Lecouvreur at Met Opera on Demand. She also sang on an album by Italian progressive rock band Profusion. Albums Notes External