SYVConcerts Presents Giorgi Guliashvili, tenor; Carrie-Ann Matheson, piano; in recital

 

February 10, 2026

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contacts: Dr. Robert Cassidy, Artistic Director; info@syvconcerts.org,  805-455-5474

-or- Linda Burrows, Series Coordinator; 805-705-0938 -or- Davis Reinhart, Program Coordinator; (805) 967-4411

 

 

Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series Presents Giorgi Guliashvili, tenor; and Carrie-Ann Matheson, piano in “An Afternoon of Soaring Songs”

 

Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, California—The fourth concert of the 2025-2026 season for the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series entitled “An Afternoon of Soaring Songs,” will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 4pm, at St. Mark’s in the Valley Church. It will feature the rising tenor, Giorgi Guliashvili, and celebrated collaborative pianist, Carrie-Ann Matheson. The program features songs and arias by Liszt, Donizetti, Tosti, Leoncavallo, Verdi, Puccini, and others.

 

Artistic Director, Robert Cassidy, said, “It is part of the mission of the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series to showcase up and coming musicians such as the wonderful tenor, Giorgi Guliashvili. He is on the cusp of a major international career, and we are so fortunate to welcome him today with the elegant pianist, Carrie-Ann Matheson, who is currently Artistic Director of the Merola Program at the San Francisco Opera Center. As a bonus, they are both alumnae of the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara.”

 

Biographies

 

Tenor Giorgi Guliashvili is currently a member of the Royal Opera House's Jette Parker Artists Programme.

 

He began his vocal studies at the Tbilisi State Conservatory, where he performed the roles of Tamino Die Zauberflöte and Alfredo La Traviata. He continued his training at the Accademia del Teatro di San Carlo in Naples under the guidance of the renowned soprano Mariella Devia. During his time there, he appeared as Cavaradossi in a reduced version of Tosca and took on supporting tenor roles in Anna Bolena and Norma.

 

Giorgi went on to complete postgraduate studies in opera at Yale University and is an alumnus of the San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program. He has received recognition in several international competitions, including winning First Prize at the Gerda Lissner Vocal Competition. Recent roles include Vaudémont (Iolanta), Araquil (La Navarraise), and Lensky (Eugene Onegin).

 

Carrie-Ann Matheson has a multi-faceted international career as pianist, conductor and educator, and since January 2021, is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Opera Center and the Merola Opera Program. A native of Canada, Ms. Matheson began her career at the Metropolitan Opera, where she was a tenured member of the music staff, serving as assistant conductor, prompter, pianist, and vocal coach. The expansion of her European performing career began in 2014 when Maestro Fabio Luisi invited her to join the coaching and conducting staff at Opernhaus Zürich.

 

After the performance, the ever-popular Q&A will take place with the artists moderated by SYVConcerts Artistic Director, Dr. Robert Cassidy.

 

For more information visit our website: SYVCONCERTS.ORG

 

Ticket pricing General Admission seats are $25,

Patron Seats are $45, and students receive complimentary tickets.

Ticket Order

 

St. Mark’s is located at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue, a block from the flagpole in the center of Los Olivos.

 

The Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series is honored to be fiscally sponsored by the Santa

Barbara Foundation and to partner with St. Mark’s Church to present extraordinary artists in

the beautiful acoustics and welcome serenity of St. Mark’s Church.

 

St. Mark’s in-the-Valley provides an intimate concert experience with seating for just over one hundred.

 

About St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church: Formed in 1926 and serving the Santa Ynez Valley, St. Mark’s practices a spacious Christianity that welcomes people of all faiths or none. St. Mark’s is a no-fee community center for non-profit groups and community meetings, an arts venue for musical and cultural events, a welcome center for residents and area visitors, and home to a vibrant, inclusive faith community. St. Mark’s top-flight, non-sectarian professional preschool serves Santa Ynez Valley families with quality early childhood education. The County-permitted SYV Community Kitchen at St. Mark's serves as a regional food hub. St. Mark’s is also grateful to be home to the area’s Jewish community and a local Zen sangha (part of Santa Barbara Zen Center). Open doors, free Wi-Fi, a shady courtyard, gardens, a labyrinth, and water for pets are available for visitors and area residents all day, every day. For more information, please visit

St. Mark's in the Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, CA - News

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