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.
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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
