On July 30 the Italian International Festival Musica Riva presented Armenian music. State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, headed by the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan, performed at the concert, named “Armenia-Italy: the bridge between East and West”, dedicated to the 110th anniversary of great Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. Soloists were Elena Tansky (violin, Austria), Lusine Mkrtchyan (soprano, Armenia).
The evening of Armenian music in the square, full of the audience, was followed by thunderous applause. The Youth Orchestra performed the Violin Concerto by Aram Khachaturian, excerpts from the ballet “Spartacus” and “Gayane”. The concert of Armenian music was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Italy Sargis Ghazaryan, the mayor of Riva del Garda. Almost the entire city accepted a two-hour concert enthusiastically.
Sate Youth Orchestra of Armenia is invited to the festival as its official orchestra. Participation in such musical holiday has become possible thanks to joint efforts of RA Ministry of Culture, Arthur Varzhapetyan, the founder of “Luding” company and many other friends.
Within the framework of the Festival the Youth Orchestra has also performed with the world-renowned pianist Aldo Ciccolini, cellist Natalia Gutman (conductor Isaac Karabchevsky). On July 27 the orchestra performed works by Verdi and Wagner (conductor Marco Boemi). The soloists were Michela Sburlati (soprano), Nkosazana Dimande (soprano), Eung Kwang Lee (baritone).
On the first of August the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia will perform with the winner of the Grand Prix of 8th Aram Khachaturian International Competition Fedor Roudine (violin), and on the third of August the Orchestra will present “Requiem” by Verdi, conducted by Isaac Karabchevsky. Soloists are Nkosazana Dimande (soprano), Anna Viktorova (soprano), Khachatur Badalyan (tenor), Evgeny Stavinsky (bass), Nkosazana Dimande soloists (soprano), Anna Viktorova (soprano), Khachatur Badalyan (tenor), Eugene Stavinskii (bass).
It is noteworthy the Italian Festival Musica Riva is based on 30-year history of unique and well-established traditions and each year it unites world famous orchestras, soloists, dance groups, choirs, famous representatives of world music art from all around the world.
