On the evening of Monday, May 28, 2012 an evening of classical music dedicated to the anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia was organized at the K. Yessayian Hall in Aleppo.
The event was sponsored by Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, the Prelate of the Diocese of Aleppo, and was attended by Karen Grigoryan, Chief RA Consul in Aleppo, as well as priests, representatives of cultural and sports associations, and a large general audience.
Following the Syrian and Armenian national anthems, the audience was invited to respect the memory of the martyrs of both countries. Afterward, Hrach Seraidarian conveyed the message of the event in his welcoming speech delivered in Armenian and Arabic. This evening was dedicated as a blessing to the friendship of Armenia and Syria and put across feelings of gratitude to the hospitable Arab people of Syria and their welcoming country.
The first one to take the stage was soloist Kevork Moutafian (bass baritone) who performed musical pieces by Mozart and E. Curtis, as well as “Koussani yerk” (“The song of the troubadour”) by A. Dikranian.
Michael Koundirev, another soloist, performed Elegia by G. Fore, followed by Exprompt by A. Haroutunyan.
Shahe Keshishian (tenor) performed the solo “E lucevan le stele” by Puccini, and “Jivan yar jan” from the opera “Anoush” by A. Dikranian.
Lyudmila Hakhinian-Arabatlian (soprano) performed the solo piece “Varte” (“The rose”) by Romanos Melikian as well as “Asoum en ourin” (“They say that the willow tree…”) from “Anoush”.
Gayane Shevchengo performed the Nocturne by E. Baghdassarian on the violin and the “Ghaytarma” by Spendiarian.
Gayaneh Kocharyan excellently performed the Capriccio by A. Babajanian on the piano. Ms. Kocharyan, who was invited by the Parsegh Ganachian Music School of Hamazkayin in Aleppo as a piano teacher, accompanied every abovementioned performance on the piano.
The audience expressed their appreciation for the evening with a standing ovation. Afterward, Father Datev Mikayelian warmly appraised the evening and its astonishing program and closed it with a prayer.
At the end of the event the audience shared their deep emotions. What happened was a unique experience and Gayaneh Kocharyan played a significant role in making it possible.
Emma