A Concert was held at the Vanadzor Fine Arts School devoted to Arno Babajanian’s 90th Anniversary. 

May 26, 2011 - Several students from the School performed during the Concert.  Shahane Miskarian played the piano and recited; Astghik Stepanian, Lilit Ghazarian and Artyon Andriasian played the piano; and, Eranuhi Ter- Ghazarian performed her piece on the kanon.  Ophelya Khudaverdian, Anna Zalinian, Erik Ghazarian performed Arno Babajanian’s songs.
Teachers Ruben Riganian, Gohar Gharibian and Marine Harutyunian performed at the Concert as well.
Meri Marandian and Anna Davtian, students at the School, read extracts from the life and accomplishments of Arno Babajanian.
A dance was also performed to the music “Noktyurn”  by Arno Babajanian.
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Do not deprive a child of care

On May11, 2011, the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra performed a concert at the Vanadzor Fine Arts School aimed at raising the important issue of children in Armenia's orphanages  The hope is that though events like this concert, parents and society in general will understand that the most important thing in a child's life is parental care.  During the concert, works by  Strauss, Piazzoli, Vivaldi and Mirzoyan were performed.
The program is  sponsored by the UN Children’s Fund,  Armenian Public Relations Association and the government of Republic of Armenia. The Armenian government is trying to address the problems of the orphanages and other children care institutions in Armenia.  UNICEF is also interested and engaged in the situation of children deprived of parental care and upbringing.  The concert was well attended and well received by all.

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Armenia Fund Inc. announcment about the Vanadzor Music School #3 Project

Vanadzor Music School

Bringing Heritage and Culture Closer to Communities

Project Started ~ August 24, 2002
Project Completed ~ June 4, 2003

Project location: Vanadzor, Armenia

Armenia Fund Inc. adopted the Vanadzor Music School #3 Project in September of 2001.
The Vanadzor Music School No.3 was established in 1969 through the efforts of Eduard Kzartmian. Originally it was located on the ground floor of a residential building and had a total of seven classrooms. The school eventually became one of the best in the Shirak Region of Armenia and began attracting more and more students every year. In 1984 the school was relocated to a larger building and underwent major reconstruction to accommodate 500 students. It was transformed into an exemplary academic facility with large classrooms and auditoriums.

The 1988 Gyumri earthquake seriously damaged the school and students had to relocate to a temporary location. The make-shift building never had proper heating or lighting. Leaks from the roof resulted in further deterioration of the building. Musical instruments were damaged due to the lack of proper storage and humidity in the winter. There were only 26 pianos, 1 violin and 2 cellos left in the Vanadzor Musical School. However, despite all these difficulties students continued their classes and participated in regional music competitions receiving awards.

In September of 2001 Armenia Fund Inc. adopted the Vanadzor School project through a joint financing agreement with the Arshak II Opera Committee. Both the Arshak II Opera Committee and Armenia Fund Inc. acknowledged the significance of this joint mission to fund the reconstruction and the refurnishing of the school.

On September 8, 2001 the Arshak II Opera Committee held a sold-out Gala and allocated partial proceeds from the Gala to the reconstruction of the Vanadzor Music School No.3. The Gala proceeds of approximately $250,000 were partially used in the joint efforts for the reconstruction of the physical plant and the rest for the future maintenance of the Vanadzor Music School. The funds were also used to provide for critically needed musical instruments, student aid, and teacher compensation.

The transfer of the monies for the Vanadzor Music School concluded a four-year effort by the Armenian-American community, as well as others involved in the project, in honoring the work of composer Tigran Tchkouhadjian.

During the extensive construction project the school was completely rebuilt and refurbished. The finished school became a unique cultural center for the residential districts of "Bazoum" and "Dimats".

The total project cost: $228,197.00

Kocharian, Catholicoses To Attend Arshak II Premiere

SAN FRANCISCO--Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Catholicos Karekin II, Catholicos Aram I, and California Governor Grey Davis will attend the world premiere of Tigran Chukhadjian's Arshak II Opera, announced the Arshak II committee.
Julie Koulhanjian of the Arshak II committee said, "We are pleased to have these international figures as honorary guests. Our committee is working collectively because we believe the Arshak II Opera will demonstrate to the world the rich cultural treasures Armenians have inherited."
Another committee member, Dennis La Point, said, "It is an honor to see state and local officials who realize the historic significance of bringing the Arshak II Opera to the San Francisco Opera. Their prompt reply to our invitations is proof of their enthusiasm."
State and local guests include CA State Treasurer Philip Angelides, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi and Anna Eshoo, CA State Senators John Burton and Jackie Speier, CA State Assemblyman Kevin Shelley and San Francisco City Mayor Willie Brown. World famous singers Lucine Amaran, Lily Choukazian, Kalin Eserian and Ara Berberian will also be attending.
The Arshak II Opera was initiated by San Francisco Opera violinist Jirair Svazlian and is being realized by San Francisco Opera General Director Lotfi Mansouri and Director Francesca Zambello.This tale of Armenia's fourth-century warrior king features baritones Christopher Robertson and Anooshah Golesorkhi sharing the title role. Soprano Hasmik Papian has the role of Olympia, mezzo sopranos Nora Gubisch and Mzia Nioradze share the role of Paransema and tenor Gordon Gletz plays Vallnace. Haig Mardirosian and Dikran Mardirosian have also been added to the opera. Loris Tjeknavorian will lead the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
The Arshak II Opera is being presented by the San Francisco Opera and will premiere on September 8, 2001. Six performances are scheduled for the month of September.
A Gala opening will take place at the War Memorial Opera House. Proceeds collected will go toward the renovation of various music conservatories in Armenia.
Information on purchasing tickets to the Arshak II opera will be released after May 1st. To read about the Arshak II committee's work, visit www.arshakopera.com, or for more information call (415) 249-9149.

Armenia Fund, Inc. to Match Funds and Administer Construction

Arshak II Gala Proceeds to Rebuild Music School in Armenia

For Immediate Release ~ April 26, 2001
Contact: Armenia Fund - 818-243-6222

San Francisco, CA - The musical splendor, pageantry and artistry of the world premiere production of Arshak II will grace the stage of the San Francisco Opera and positively impact the future of music education in Vanazdor, Armenia. The Arshak II Opera Committee is pleased to announce that the proceeds from the September 8, 2001 Gala Opening Night will benefit the Vanadzor Music School in the Lori Region of the Republic of Armenia.

Under the auspices of the Honorary Chairmen Armenian President Robert Kocharian, His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and California Governor Gray Davis the Arshak II Gala will benefit music education in Armenia by utilizing the funds to reconstruct the music school and provide new interior furnishings. Additional funds from the event will be used for teacher salaries, scholarships and equipment. "The next Tigran Chukhadjian is studying his or her music right now. It is gratifying and appropriate that the Arshak II project, in a small way, help discover, encourage and support the true riches of Armenia," said Denise LaPointe, Arshak II Opera Committee co-chair.

The 1988 earthquake devastating the northern region of Armenia claimed the lives of over 25,000, left thousands homeless and destroyed hundreds of schools, which mostly remain dilapidated and unstable. The total reconstruction efforts of the Music School will be $195,000.00 with the majority of the funds to be raised from gala proceeds, and the balance by Armenia Fund, Inc. (AFI).

Located in Armenia's third largest city, the Vanadzor Music School, prior to the earthquake, had an enrollment of 500 children between ages seven to fourteen. The exterior of the building remains standing, while its interior is destroyed, rendering the school seismically unsound. Currently, 100 students attend evening classes and practice in temporary lien-to structures outside the grounds of the former school. "We are pleased that the efforts of so many to showcase Armenian culture in San Francisco will have the added benefit of assisting a music school in Armenia," said Flora Dunaians, Arshak II Opera Gala host and Gala Committee co-chair. Arshak II Opera Gala hosts include Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simone, Mr. and Mrs. George and Flora Dunaians, Mr. and Mrs. Hirair and Anna Hovnanian, and Mr. Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie Kulhanjian Strauch.

AFI, a Los Angeles based nonprofit organization, will undertake the complete reconstruction efforts of the school. "I commend the commitment and vision of the Arshak II Opera Committee for taking proactive steps in providing the youth of Vanadzor the opportunity to nurture, develop and display their extraordinary musical talents," said Zaven Khanjian, president of AFI. "Armenia Fund looks forward to working with the Arshak II Opera Committee to implement this important educational project and assist in guaranteeing a brighter future for Armenia," concluded Khanjian.

AFI having completed 172 construction projects in Armenia with total funding of approximately $72 million, will rebuild the interior of the school, stabilize the foundation and provide essential improvements necessary for all operations. Similar projects completed by AFI include the Vanadzor Town School and the Music School in Spitak. AFI is the US West Coast affiliate of the "Hayastan" All Armenian Fund headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia. Since 1996, AFI has generated over $19.5 million to help build and complete the Goris-Stepanakert Highway and start the North-South Highway in Karabakh.

Arshak II Opera Committee Announces Honorary Chairmen for September Premiere

Editors Note: Due to an error in the translation of this article–the previous posting of this article contained innacurate information. Asbarez hereby retracts the previous version of this article–and reprints the article with the revised and corrected information.

The Organizing Committee of the Arshak II Opera Has Announced That Armenian President Robert Kocharian–His Holiness Karekin II–His Holiness Aram I–and California Governor Gray Davis will be the Honorary Chairmen of the Opera’s Premiere on September 8–2001

SAN FRANCISCO–The 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia will be celebrated in grandeur when the world-renowned San Francisco Opera debuts Arshak II on September 8–2001. The Arshak II Committee has announced that the premiere’s Honorary Chairmen will be His Excellency Robert Kocharian–President of Armenia; His Holiness Karekin II–Catholicos of All Armenia’s; His Holiness Aram I–Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; and The Honorable Gray Davis–Governor of California.

"We are very pleased that these international dignitaries will serve as our honorary chairmen," stated Dr. Julie Kulhanjian–co-chair of the Arshak II Committee. "We have come together because we all believe that the opera will be an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the rich cultural traditions of the Armenian nation."

Additionally–the roster of honored guests will include The Honorable Philip Angelides–Treasurer of the State of California; US Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein; Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi (San Francisco) and Anna Eschoo (San Jose); California State Senators John Burton and Jackie Speier (San Francisco); California State Assembly Majority Leader Kevin Shelley (San Francisco); and San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown. Distinguished artistic guests include Lucine Amara–Kallen Esperian–Ara Berberian–and Lili Chookasian.

"On behalf of the Arshak II Committee–we are honored and gratified that state and local elected officials have recognized the significance and historic proportions of staging an Armenian opera in San Francisco. Their swift and energetic responses to our invitation demonstrate the excitement surrounding this event," remarked Arshak II Committee Co-Chair Denise LaPointe.

Under the production leadership of Lotfi Mansouri and the artistic direction of Francesca Zambello–the epic tale of Arshak II will feature Armenian baritone Anooshah Golesorkhi and Christopher Robertson sharing the title role. Soprano Hasmik Papian will perform the role of Olympia–Armenian mezzo soprano Nora Gubisch and Mzia Nioradze will share the role of Paransema–and tenor Gordon Gletz will perform Valinace. Tigran Martirossian and Ayk Martirossian will perform the role of Nerses–with Knel performed by Philip Webb and Vartan by David Okerlund. Musicologist Haig Avakian and dramaturg Gerald Papasian have prepared a complete original version of Tigran Chukhadjian’s opera. Loris Tjeknavorian–conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic–will lead the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus in six performances scheduled from September 8-30–2001. The opera will be sung in Armenian with English supertitles.

Opening night of Arshak II will feature an elegant gala–whose proceeds will benefit the reconstruction of the Vanadzor Music School in the earthquake zone as well as other music programs in the Republic of Armenia. Set against the backdrop of the illustrious banquet scenes of fourth-century Armenia–the gala will consist of a pre-performance formal dinner and a post-performance party held in the historic San Francisco War Memorial Veteran’s Building next to the Opera House. General ticket information will be available after May 1–2001. Updated news and information on the Arshak II Committee’s activities can be found on the web site at www.arshakopera.com.

Project Founder Gerard Svazlian–a violinist with the San Francisco Opera orchestra–and the Arshak II Fundraising Committee spearheaded the project. It came to life in March 1999 after the Armenian-American community and its broad base of supporters raised $1 million to underwrite roughly one-third of the opera’s production expenses. The Arshak II Opera Committee has been formed to prepare and coordinate activities surrounding the opera’s opening weekend. For general information–please call (415) 249-9149.