Georgian ensemble, Lalkhori. Ts'utisopeli festival weekend + all tour dates
Georgian ensemble, Lalkhori. Ts'utisopeli festival weekend + all tour dates
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Lalkhori are a young, mixed ensemble, from the Svaneti region of the rugged North Caucasus mountains of Georgia. They are touring the UK during May 2026, teaching and performing the unique and beautiful, UNESCO listed polyphonic songs of Georgia, and appearing as guests of honour at a weekend festival of Georgian polyphony.
TOUR DATES + TICKET LINKS
Links to details and ticket pages for other tour dates below.
Friday 15, Cambridge – Workshop + Concert (tickets here)
Saturday 16, Hastings – Workshop + Concert (tickets here)
Sunday 17, London – Workshop + Concert (tickets here)
Monday 18, Oxford – Workshop + Concert (tickets here)
Tuesday 19, Ashburton – Concert (tickets here, or email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk to reserve tickets, and pay on the door)
Wednesday 20, Bodmin – Workshop + concert (tickets here)
Thursday 21, Bristol – Concert (tickets here)
Friday 22–Monday 25, Stourbridge – Ts'utisopeli festival (book on this page)
Tuesday 26, Manchester – Workshop + Concert (tickets here)
Wednesday 27, Hebden Bridge – Workshop + Concert (tickets here)
Thursday 28, Edinburgh – Workshop (tickets here)
Friday 29, Glasgow – Concert (tickets here)
* or email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk to reserve tickets, and pay on the door.
LALKHORI
Lalkhori was created in 2021 by its director, Lika Liparteliani – a highly experienced conductor and performer. Its members are young people and students from Svaneti, currently living in Tbilisi. Lalkhori specialise in the distinctive songs and round dances of Svaneti, and they research and perform a wide variety of different examples, featuring all Svan dialects. Due to its remoteness Svaneti preserves many of the most ancient features of Georgian polyphonic singing and culture. The tuning and intonation evokes a deep connection to the past, while the many ritual songs and dances celebrate and preserve a rich heritage of shamanic beliefs and folklore, which have survived through the centuries alongside, and intermingled with, Christian belief and practise. The ensemble regularly organize expeditions to learn directly from tradition bearers. Their performance style aims to present Svan mythology, life and rituals as they would have been traditionally practised in everyday life. The folk songs are frequently accompanied with instruments, round dances and rituals, giving a deep and immersive insight into this fascinating culture. |
TS'UTISOPELI WEEKEND (წუთისოფელი)
Friday 22–Sunday 24 + masterclasses Monday 25 May
The centrepiece of the tour, this will be a full weekend of workshops, feasting and performance, bringing together our visiting Georgian ensembles, as well as singers from across the UK. This year we will be welcomed and supported by our local hosts, Birmingham Georgian choir, Ensemble Bednieri. We'll be holding the event at Bell Heath Outdoors Centre, near Stourbridge. The weekend is catered, and we will have the entire site to ourselves, with comfortable accommodation available on site in dorms or camping.
FRIDAY EVENING
The weekend will begin on the Friday evening with dinner at 6.00pm, followed by an introductory workshop, taught by Eb Jordan, leader of Ensemble Bednieri.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
From 10.00am on Saturday we will have a full day of workshops from our visiting Georgian singers. The workshops are open to all, and there is no need to read music, know the language, or have previous experience. Songs will be taught by ear.
SATURDAY PERFORMANCE
On Saturday lunchtime we will have a performance featuring our visiting Georgian singers and singers attending from various UK Georgian choirs.
SATURDAY EVENING SUPRA
On the Saturday evening we will gather together for a supra, or ritual Georgian feast.
Georgia has a highly distinctive and sophisticated cuisine. Led by a toastmaster, or tamada, the supra tradition combines the sharing of this delicious food with heartfelt toasts and songs, creating an unforgettable, moving and highly authentic experience of Georgian culture. But beautiful though Georgian food, wine and song are, the supra is more than the sum of its parts. The structure of the supra creates a space where it is possible to connect with each other not as performers and audience, but as hosts and honoured guests.
WINE
Wine is central to Georgian culture, and considered essential for toasting at a supra. You are welcome to bring your own wine, or whatever else you would like to drink. But you can also pre-order Georgian wine for collection at the event, or buy Georgian or other wine over the weekend. Add your wine selection at the checkout when purchasing your tickets.
SUNDAY WORKSHOPS AND CONCERT
From 10.30 on Sunday morning we will have further workshops with the Lalkhori singers. On Sunday afternoon Lalkhori will give a full concert.
MONDAY, ADDITIONAL MASTERCLASSES
This year, for the first time, we will have an optional extra day of workshops on the bank holiday Monday. These workshops will be focussed on more advanced material or vocal technique, suitable for experienced singers.
TICKETS
We work hard to keep all of our events accessible to as many people as possible, while still adequately compensating our expert music leaders. To that end, for each ticket there is a choice of three price bands to suit your means, plus a youth discount. In choosing the appropriate price band, we suggest the following guide:
Supporter: If you can comfortably afford to pay your bills, and more than one or two main holidays each year, please consider paying the supporter rate, which will help us to offer lower cost tickets to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Standard: If you can pay all your bills, but don't have a lot of disposable income for discretionary spend, the standard ticket price may be right for you.
Concessionary: For anyone on a low income, in receipt of income based benefits, or who would struggle to pay the standard rate.
Weekend (Friday to Sunday) £220/180/145
Friday evening £30/25/20
Saturday day pass £90/80/70 (including supra)
Sunday or Monday day pass £70/60/50
Sunday night dorm/camping £25
Day passes include lunch. Weekend passes include lunch, two nights accommodation, and evening meals.
As always, if you are keen to attend but cost is a barrier for you, please contact us directly.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is available on site in small, dormitory style rooms, or camping. The campsite has its own shower, toilet and kitchen facilities, and camper vans are welcomed. There is no additional charge for Friday and Saturday night accommodation for holders of weekend passes. Indicate your accommodation preferences when booking.
BREAKFAST
Kitchen facilities are available in the main building, and at the campsite. For those staying on site breakfast basics - a range of cereals, dairy and non dairy milks, sliced bread, spreads and fruit and fruit juices will be provided for common use, on a self service basis.
TRANSPORT
There is ample parking on site. A limited shuttle bus service will be provided between Bell Heath and local train services. Please state your travel plans when booking, and further details of the shuttle service will be supplied nearer the time.
YOUTH AND CHILD TICKETS
This weekend will be a family friendly event. Discounts are offered for under 18s. To apply the discount, open a new order, and apply the appropriate promo code: Youth (14-18 years, 25% discount), or Child (8-14 years, 50% discount). Note that promo codes are case sensitive, and only one promo code can be applied to each order. If you wish to apply both codes or to purchase adult and youth or child tickets, it is necessary to place these as separate orders.
Children up to 8 years of age may attend free, but please let us know when booking, so that we can manage numbers and cater accordingly. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult.
NON SINGING PARTNERS
We realise that some people attending the weekend may have partners or friends who will not join them for the workshops, but would like to be around for some of the weekend. This can be accommodated, but please contact us directly to make appropriate arrangements.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
In the unlikely event of cancellation, an alternative date or refund will be offered. Refunds for any other reason are at the organiser's discretion, and may not be possible due to the cost of hosting the event. However you are free to pass your ticket on to someone else, providing this is at or below the advertised price.
Location
Bell Heath Outdoor Centre, Stourbridge, Worcestershire, DY9 9UU