CHILDREN’S OPERA CHORUS FOUNDED BY GAYANE HOVHANNISIAN SO FAR ONLY ONE IN EUROPE

Noyan Tapan
July 22, 2009

Children’s Classical Opera Chorus was founded by Gayane Hovhannisian,
an opera singer and teacher of Armenian descent, in Marseilles,
French province of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, 11 years ago. The
chorus is composed of children of various nationalities.

G. Hovhannisian started her activities as a teacher in Armenia. Upon
graduation from Komitas State Music Conservatory in Yerevan, she began
working at the Chair of Vocal. She gained her pedagogical experience
at the music school headed by David Zalian.

During an interview with Armenians Today’s correspondent,
G. Hovhannisian recalled that the officials in charge of culture
in Marseilles and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur treated with mistrust
her idea to found an opera chorus of children. Ms. Gayane, however,
managed to select 30 out of 500 children and form a chorus. Later on
these children were joined by their younger brothers and sisters. The
chorus currently has 50 singers aged 5-11 and 11-20.

In 2000 the Children’s Classical Opera Chorus performed Pergolesi’s
Stabat Mater in several French cities, which was followed by numerous
invitations from various countruies. Their performances are often
broadcast on French television. The chorus gave successful concerts at
the Royal Palace in Belgium, Le Louvre, and many cities of France. In
2004 the chorus participated in an international contest in Rome and
took 4th place among 68 countries.

The chorus has received invitations from Rio de Janeiro, London and
other cities.

On seeing the great achievements of the Children’s Classical Opera
Chorus, the Armenian community of Nice asked Gayane Hovhannisian to
found an Armenian children’s chorus there. The chorus has functioned
for 5 years, and its repertoire mainly consists of works of Armenian
composers. In the opinion of G. Hovhannisian, the young singers of
the Nice children’s chorus are talented. Many of them already study at
the conservatories of Nice and nearby cities. The Armenian children’s
chorus gives 1-3 performances a month in cities of Provence-Alpes-Cote
d’Azur. The chorus is expected to take part in One Nation One Culture
2010 Festival in Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress