In repertory theaters, including in the overseas, there is no guarantee as to how long the life of the stage even after the successful premiere will last. In the case of our theatres, the main “classical” reason for being left out of the repertoire is the worn-out condition of the decorations or costumes over the time, why not, also the sole decision by the former artistic director, chief producer or, in this case, the chief ballet master. The premiere of “Lorkiana” and “Carmen” one-act ballets, more precisely, the restored versions were played at the Al. Spendiaryan National Academic Theater of Opera and ballet.
Let’s state the fact of the hall full with spectators and the bravos heard not only at the end of the performances but also during the performances. These bravos were aimed at the ballet group, namely solo dancer Anna Vekilyan (Soledad), Armen Gevorgyan (Torero) and Karen Martirosyan (Shadow) in the “Lorkiana” performance, and Mary Hovhannisyan (Carmen), Ruben Muradyan (Jose), Armen Gevorgyan (Eskamilio) and Arthur Karchikyan (Spa) in the “Carmen”. It was wonderful, why not, the “key player” band headed by the principal conductor Karen Durgaryan, who delivered the taste and smell of the Spanish folk music in its true sense. “Lorkiana” was staged in our Theater at the beginning of the 1970s by Honored Artist of Russia Mark Mnatsakanyan by the motives of the Spanish folk music and Garcia Lorca’s works. This performance was in the repertoire of the Theatre until 2006. Bella Hovnanyan, Larry Mityaya, Anahit Grigoryan and others brilliantly acted in the role of the main hero, Soledad, for years. Torero’s character was played by Hovhannes Divanyan, Zaven Harutyunyan, Sergey Baranov, Hayk Harutyunyan and others.
To the point, the choreographer known after the Yerevan opera theater staged “Lorkiana”, as a separate performance, in different cities of Russia and Poland. Composer Rodion Shchedrin staged the ballet version of Bizet’s “Carmen” opera (not completely) converted by choreographer Armen Grigoryan at the Yerevan Opera Theatre in late 1990s within 20 days especially for his wife, the world-famous Maya Plisetskaya. Today, Marry Hovhannisyan, Marina Grigoryan, Jacqueline Sarkhoshyan, Sona Arustamyan, Maria Divanyan, Armen Grigoryan, Zaven Harutyunyan, Armen Gevorgyan, Arthur Karchikyan and others are remembered as once the main role-dancers.
“Aravot” asked only one question to the performances restoring tutors, the devotees of the Armenian ballet, RA People’s artists Bella Hovnanyan (“Lorkiana”) and Elvira Mnatsakanyan (“Carmen”) whether they are pleased with the results. Bella Hovnanyan, who graduated her career on the stage in 1979, in Kirov Theater in St. Petersburg with the very “Lorkiana,” said, “Let it not sound immodest, but I got what I wanted and dreamed of. During the rehearsals that lasted for about a month with some interruptions, I have given so much love and affection to young people and received back that at this point I’m really pleased.” Elvira Mnatsakanyan first of all mentioned that besides herself, her colleague, Emma Nahapetyan, also took part in the restoration works. “It was wonderful both in terms of the characters and the technical aspect. And in “Lorkiana” and “Carmen,” most importantly is that the Spanish music and rhythms, as well as the dramaturgy and philosophy of the works reached the audience,” said Ms. Mnatsakanyan.
Samvel DANIELYAN
