The founder of the Dikran Tchouhadjian Research Center in Paris, Papasian has already helped revive several Armenian operas in the United States. He restored Arshak II, which premiered at the San Francisco Opera, and staged Anoush at the Detroit Opera House in 2001. The President of Armenia recently awarded Papasian the Movses Khorenatsi medal, the country's highest cultural honor.
He is now focusing on Gariné, a playful opera by Dikran Tchouhadjian, that was staged in Paris and Marseille earlier this year to great critical acclaim. The show is performed in French by a company of 40 actors, singers, dancers and musicians. Papasian will show video clips of these performances (CDs will be available) and talk about his plans to bring the iconic operetta to the United States and Armenia next year.
Gariné (Léblébidji Hor Hor Agha) was a huge hit when it was created in Constantinople in the 1870s. Inspired by Verdi and Offenbach, Tchouhadjian's score blends classical music with oriental melodies. The work continued to be extremely popular with both Turks and Armenians throughout the 20th century, and it was turned into several movies and TV shows.
A founding member of the Irina Brook Company, Gerald Papasian recently performed in the play "Waiting for the Dream" at La MaMa theatre in New York, and he is the co-author of the award-winning show "Sojourn at Ararat".
The evening is under the joint auspices of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian - Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, and Mr. Garen Nazarian - Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the UN.
WHEN? Monday December 13 - 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE? Kellari Parea Bistro - 36 East 20th Street. New York, NY
RSVP for tickets and information: (212) 253 2022
