He began his vocal training as Olimpi Khelashvili. In 1986, he was chosen to complete his studies with Giulietta Simionato and Edoardo Müller at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Early in his career, he won several competitions, such as the Voci Verdiane International Vocal Competition in Busseto (1981), the gold medal and first prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1982), the first prize at the Luciano Pavarotti International Competition (1985), and the first prize at the Maria Callas Competition (1986). In 1984, he made his international debut at the Royal Opera House in London, performing as Ramfis (Aida) alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Katia Ricciarelli, with Zubin Mehta conducting. Following this, doors to the world's leading opera houses opened for him.
He made his debut at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in the 1992/93 season with a concert and returned with La Gran Gala – Les millors veus del món (1993/94), Fidelio (1994/95), La forza del destino (1995/96), Il barbiere di Siviglia (1996/97), a recital and Don Carlos (1999/2000), Il trovatore (2009/10), El somriure de Montserrat Caballé (2018/19), and Parsifal (2022/23).