6TH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL "NATIONAL PICTURE GALLERY" STARTS IN ARMENIA ON APRIL 21

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 21, 2010
YEREVAN

The 6th international music festival "National Picture Gallery"
starts with the concert of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia at
the Hall of Murals of the National Picture Gallery on April 21. The
famous pianist Svetlana Navasardian was expected to participate in
this concert, but she was on tour in Paris and could not come back
due to the cancelled flight.

The founder and chairwoman of the Art Picture Gallery cultural
foundation Mariam Shahinian said at the April 20 press conference
that during the festival seven concerts will take place, with the
participation of the State Chamber Chorus of Armenia, Dio Claripiano
from Slovenia, Stockholm-based violinist Hugo Ticiatti, and Russian
pianist Yevgeny Mikhaylov. Besides Yerevan, the cities of Goris,
Charentsavan, Abovian and Gavar will host these concerts.

According to M. Shahinian, in addition to promoting classical music
and presenting the recent achievements of Armenian composers and
performers, the festival aims to introduce wide sections of the
population to the activities of Armenia’s National Picture Gallery.

The Chairman of the festival’s Artistic Council, composer Edward
Mirzoyan announced that a lot of young performers will participate in
the festival for the first time, which is a gratifying and praiseworthy
fact. "The classical music continues to live among the youth," he said.

The festival will last until June 2. On the same day the Republican
Viola and Violoncello Festival will start. Initiated by the famous
musician Aram Talalian, the festival will also involve events dedicated
to anniversaries of Armenian composers: the 80th anniversaries of Edgar
Hovhannisian and Gagik Hovunts and the 90th anniversaries of Ghazaros
Sarian and Alexander Harutyunian. The festival will end on June 22.

The indicated festivals will be held with the assistance of the RA
Ministry of Culture.