News
2017 September 05, Tuesday 17:00
On Date, 2017, Naregatsi Art Institute celebrated its 13th anniversary at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall. Keeping with its tradition of dedicating the annual event to Armenian cultural giants, this year’s honoree was RA People’s Artist Khachatur Avetisyan, acclaimed composer and qanun player.
Naregatsi Art Institute was especially pleased to host his son, Mikayel Avetisyan who traveled from California to attend the celebration. An accomplished composer in his own right, Mikayel is currently the artistic and music director of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and music director of the Belfry Symphony and LA Belfry Singers.
“By God's will, we were able to invite Mikayel to Armenia and organize this evening”, said Nareg Hartounian, NAI Founder, when expressing gratitude to the RA Ministry of Culture, Komitas Chamber Music Hall, Paros Chamber Choir, Smbat Khalatyan for supporting the NAI.
Following Father Ter Shahe’s opening prayer, a full repertoire of Kachatur Avetisyan’s best works was delivered to a rapt audience. The response was thunderous, with repeated standing ovations throughout the evening and continuing well after the evening’s conclusion.
The audience was also deeply moved by the words of the musical master’s son: “Thank you, dear audience, that you are here today and the hall is full. A great thank you to Naregatsi Art Institute that I am here today and had the opportunity to work with so many young, but professional musicians. From a distance, I follow the work of the NAI and admire your work. Thank you for granting me such an honor and pleasure. I intend to keep in touch with this union.”
The event featured performances by the event project manager and soloist Lusine Azaryan (soprano), soloist Boghos Yeghiazar (tenor), soloist Smbat Khalatyan (folk singer), Paros Chamber Choir (Artistic Director Raffi Mikayelyan), Naregatsi Folk Instruments Orchestra (Artistic Director Artem Khachatur), Nova Folk Instruments Ensemble (Artistic Director Hovik Sahakyan), Njdeh Folk Dance Group (Artistic Director Gagik Ginosyan).
Mr. Hartounian awarded Mikayel Avetisyan and the Paros Chamber Choir member Mr. Karapetyan with a unique gift—a small cross-stone symbolizing the Lord’s blessing on Armenian culture, saying, “With this gift, we bestow on you the title of "Ambassador of Armenian Culture" because you are one of the people who uphold the honor of the Armenian nation in the whole world. I am sure that Khachatur Avetisyan's soul was with us today through the beloved melodies presented through his son. Not only for me, but also for many others today was a unique and symbolic evening...”
The celebration was attended by prominent Armenian artists, intellectuals, composers, singers, and dignitaries, including: Arzas Voskanian, Honored Art Worker; His Excellency Matthias Kiessler, Ambassador of the Republic of Germany; Yervand Yerkanyan, Honored Art Worker; Angela Atabekyan, canon player, musician, and artist; Daniel Yerazhisht, violinist, conductor, musicologist; Tigran Kekekyan, conductor and educator; Gary Kesayan, literary critic, translator, jazzman, composer, pianist; Henrik Bakhchinyan, literary critic, and translator; Artur Ispiryan, singer; Melik Mavisakalian, conductor and composer, People's Artist of Armenia; Arusyak Sahakyan, ethnographer; Ludwig Duryan, prominent poet; as well as family members, the author of Khachatur Avetisyan's "Oratoria" lyrics and others.
NAI is faithful to its noble mission of promoting the sustainable national culture through diverse programs and projects.
