The National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia (NCOA) and esteemed conductor Sipan Olah (UK) have embarked on an extraordinary European tour, delighting audiences with a tribute to renowned French-Armenian composer Charles Aznavour, Armenian composers Komitas, Tigran Mansurian and Robert Amirkhanyan. Maestro Sipan Olah came up with the idea of this exclusive concert series supported by Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Sports, which celebrates the legacy and impact of Armenian music on a global scale, honouring the 100th anniversary of Aznavour, the 155th anniversary of Komitas, and the 85th anniversaries of Mansurian and Amirkhanyan.
A Triumphant Start in Armenia
The tour debuted in Armenia, with a sold-out performance at Yerevan’s Arno Babajanian Concert Hall on October 5, 2024. Maestro Sipan Olah and Vahagn Vardanyan created arrangements of masterpieces and crafted a unique tribute, showcasing these four composers’ unforgettable contributions to music. Standout performances by soprano Hayarpi Yeghikyan, pianist Sona Barseghyan, and violinist Astghik Vardanyan alongside the NCOA showcased Armenia’s musical heritage and profound artistry. The concert attracted representatives from nine embassies, esteemed professors from the Komitas State Conservatory, and other prominent figures who joined the audience in appreciating the emotional resonance of the evening.
Venice, Italy: A Historic First on San Lazzaro Island
On October 17, the NCOA with maestro Olah delivered their first European performance at the Monastery of the Mechitarist Congregation on San Lazzaro Island in Venice, Italy. This was the first orchestra performance held on this iconic island, marking a historic moment. The programme opened with works by Komitas, including “Shushiki” and the evocative “Apricot Tree” establishing a deeply moving atmosphere. Violinist Astghik Vardanyan’s solo “Krunk” and Komitas’ “Patriarchal Blessing” captivated the audience. The evening also featured “Aznavour classics” as well as powerful performances by soprano Yeghikyan and tenor Olah, who brought Charles Aznavour’s “Ave Maria”, “Que c’est triste Venise” and “Pour toi Arménie” to life with renewed emotional depth.
Celebration in London: A Return After 24 Years
On October 20, NCOA returned to the UK for the first time in over two decades with a sold-out concert at Smith Square Hall in Westminster, London. In collaboration with the Klingen Choir and Cultural Association and under the auspices of the Embassy of Armenia in the United Kingdom, the concert celebrated Armenian musical heritage. The performance was attended by prominent guests, including MPs, Lords, and the Deputy Mayor of Kensington, Dori Schmetterling, along with six ambassadors and over 450 music lovers.
The concert featured iconic arrangements of Aznavour’s songs, such as “She” and “Emmenez moi” with tenor Olah, soprano Yeghikyan and the Klingen Choir lending their voices to the memorable tribute. Additionally, the audience enjoyed film soundtracks by Mansurian and Amirkhanyan, solos by pianist Sona Barseghyan and violinist Astghik Vardanyan, oboist Jack Hagop Mouradian and soprano Narine Malkhasyan. The evening concluded with “Aznavour Classics” a specially arranged medley dedicated to Aznavour’s 100th birth anniversary, leaving the audience in awe.
Cardiff, Wales: A Debut Performance with Welsh-Armenian Collaboration
The following evening, October 21, the orchestra performed in Cardiff, Wales, in collaboration with the Armenian Community Centre Wales (ACCW). This concert marked the orchestra’s first performance in Cardiff and was attended by Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Lloyd Jones and six members of the Welsh Parliament. The Wales premiere of “Aznavour Classics” featured standout performances by soprano Yeghikyan and tenor Olah. Highlights included solos such as “She” and “Pour toi, Arménie,” an emotive violin solo by Vardanyan in Komitas’ “Krunk.”, impressive solo performance of soundtracks by pianist Sona Barseghyan and Jack Hagop Mouradian with NCOA. The evening also featured an exhibition by Welsh-Armenian artist Mariam Torosyan in dedication to Komitas, enriching the evening’s cultural experience.
Brussels, Belgium: A Landmark Concert in l’Abbaye de la Cambre
On October 23, the NCOA performed its first-ever concert in Brussels, Belgium, at the medieval l’Abbaye de la Cambre. Organized by the Centre Culturel Arménien de Belgique “Hay Doun” this concert was dedicated to the birth anniversaries of Aznavour, Komitas, Amirkhanyan, and Mansurian. A moving presentation on Komitas highlighted his survival of the 1915 genocide, underscoring his musical and cultural contributions.
The audience was treated to a rendition of “Aznavour Classics” as well as beloved Aznavour songs, such as “Une vie d’amour” and “La Bohème” with powerful interpretations by Yeghikyan and Olah as well as a solo performance of soundtracks by violinist Vardanyan. Pianist Barseghyan’s soulful performance of Amirkhanyan’s “Spring Drops” and the orchestra’s collective finale of “Homeland of My Dreams” left an indelible mark on the evening, concluding a deeply moving experience for the over 300 attendees.
Cologne, Germany: Gala Tribute
The tour’s next stop was Cologne, Germany, on October 24, with a gala concert organized by the Armenian Diocese in Germany at St. Agnes Church. The programme opened with Komitas’ timeless pieces, with soprano Tatevik Ashuryan and violinist Vardanyan delivering poignant performances. Talented soprano Anush Nazaryan sang the romance “Sunny rain” by Amirkhanyan. This special evening also included the Cologne premiere of “Aznavour Classics,” which was performed for the first time in the city, as well as well-known songs by Aznavour performed by tenor Olah and soprano Yeghikyan. Pianist Sona Barseghyan’s virtuoso performance of the soundtracks of the film “Men” by Robert Amirkhanyan was followed by the emotional performance of the song “Homeland of My dreams” by Komitas Choir from Cologne. The concert concluded with “Pour toi Arménie” performed by three sopranos Yeghikyan, Ashuryan and Nazaryan, the Komitas Choir of Cologne, and the NCOA, under the direction of Maestro Olah. The audience’s standing ovation echoed the immense success of the evening.
This European concert series has proven to be a resounding success, uniting Armenian music and heritage with audiences across Europe. From Venice’s historic island to London, Cardiff, Brussels, and Cologne, Maestro Sipan Olah and the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia have offered a memorable tribute to the spirit and legacy of Armenian composers. With profound artistry, cultural diplomacy, and moving performances, the NCOA has reinforced the timeless relevance of Armenian music on a global stage.
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