The Artsakh soprano to shine in the contest

March 7 2015

National Opera music director and chief conductor Karen Durgaryan
about the gifted Armenians and his work Recently, the festival “Opera
Without Borders” was launched in Krasnodar for the second time. On the
opening day, February 20, Leonkavalo’s “Pagliacci” opera was staged at
the local musical theater in participation of soloists from the
Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg. Under the festival, a sumptuous
gala concert was held on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of
Tchaikovsky, in participation of Yuri Grigorovich Ballet Theatre and
the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre dancers. The “Opera Without Borders”
international contest of young singers was also conducted for the
second time. The festival was closed with Verdi’s “Traviata” conducted
by Honored Artist of Armenia, the National Opera music director and
chief conductor Karen Durgaryan (in the photo). The founder of this
large-scale project and the constant president of the jury is Larisa
Gergiev, People’s Artist of Russia and the artistic director of the
Mariinsky Theatre Academy of young opera singers. Karen Durgaryan was
invited to participate also in the jury works. In the conversation
with “Aravot”, Mr. Durgaryan said that 70 young opera singer from
different countries participated in the competition. According to him,
the Armenians prevailed – 8 of them from other countries and 4 of them
from Armenia supported by the Ministry of Culture of Armenia. “35
singers passed to the second round and 18 of them – to the 3rd round,
of which 4 Armenian young people – 2 from Armenia and 2 from abroad.
The prestigious Jury of the competition was impressed by soprano Mary
Movsisyan’s and Marianna Martirossyan’s plays. I would like to make a
specific emphasis on Marianna from Artsakh, as all of them univocally
were saying that she is an opera emerging celebrity. Once, in a
conversation with “Aravot” newspaper, famous Valery Gergiev said that
any known artist should achieve two highest degrees in his activities:
one is his own creative way, and the other is opening a career for
young people. We asked our interlocutor that it is good that the
Artsakh voice Marianna Martirosyan is described in this way, but
specifically you as the musical face of our opera theater, how you are
going to support her. “I give much importance for the your opera
singer to participate in the competitions and master classes, which
always keeps them to be in the “shape”. Thanks to it, the young people
already make comparison of their own between representatives of
different vocal schools. I give much importance to the contacts and
exchange of opinions … One important factor too. Eventually, the
gifted are noticed by foreign specialists..,” informed Mr. Durgaryan.
Recently, Karen Durgaryan gained the reputation of multi-busy
conductor, particularly in terms of frequent tours. We inquired about
his upcoming tour for one-two weeks. “Soon, I will be the conducting
Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2at the Opera in Trieste (Italy),
Khacatruyan’s “Spartacus” at the Mariinsky Theatre in April, and
Leonid Klinichev’s “Bela” opera, whose libretto is written based on
Lermontov’s novel “The Hero of Our Time”. On April 21, at the Moscow
House of Music, together with the local state Philharmonic Orchestra,
in participation of my colleagues, including cellist Narek
Hakhnazaryan and our theater soloists, including Perch Karazyan,
Artsvik Demurchyan and Hovhannes Nersisyan, we will come out with a
concert dedicated to the centennial of the Genocide. The program is
called from Narekatsi to Babajanyan. To the point, for the first time,
on April 23, at midnight, our Opera Theater will host a commemoration
ceremony for the Genocide victims, and on April 26, the presentation
of renowned artist and conductor Alexander Siranosyan’s book will be
held, which includes 560 operas of the Western European composers,
which underlies the Armenian themes. This is a wonderful opportunity
to once again tell the world that the European composers have referred
to Armenians and our history at different times,” informed the
conductor.

Samvel DANIELYAN
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