Abesalom and Eteri, an iconic opera by Georgia's 20th century acclaimed composer Zakaria Paliashvili, was performed for the first time in Italian language at Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania.

The Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sport said the production involved choirmaster Luigi Petrozziello and orchestra under conductor Zaza Azmaiparashvili.

A Georgian dance ensemble Nanila from Florence also featured in the show produced with director Gocha Kapanadze.

It added the production would “further strengthen the creative connection” between the two countries after the “triumphant success” of Daisi, another work by Paliashvili, in Catania last year.

Based on the medieval Georgian folk poem Eteriani, Abesalom and Eteri was composed by Paliashvili between 1909 and 1918 and partly staged in 1913. It first premiered in its present-day form in 1919 at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. The opera is an eclectic fusion of folk songs and traditional 19th century Romantic classical themes. In 2004, excerpts from the work were adapted for the national anthem of Georgia.