YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenia’s philharmonic orchestra (APhO) and choir were invited to participate in the 15th festival of music Fajr (Dawn) dedicated to the anniversary of the revolution in the Islamic Republic of Iran–said the director and chief conductor of the Orchestra Loris Tchgnavorian.
Tchgnavorian said–APhO and the choir were given the honor of opening the concert in Vahdad Opera of Teheran. The National Hymn of Iran was followed by the concert version of Tchgnavorian’s Rostam and Sohrab opera based on the poem of Iranian mediaeval poet Firdoussi.
He noted that Islam forbids women to sing a solo (only choir singing is allowed) on the stage–but Gayane Grigorian was permitted to perform the solo of Tehmine’–the heroine of the poem. Tchgnavorian said the performance proved to be a great event–and the audience expressed its admiration by long-lasting ovations.
After the performance–Iran’s president Doctor Khatami expressed his wish to listen to it. Tchgnavorian handed the president the hand-written score of the opera–which will be kept in the presidential museum. Rustam and Sohrab was performed 7 times in all.
During their 16-day visit to Iran the APhO also performed for the local Armenian community. The APhO is now getting ready for its international concert tour to England–Greece–Lebanon–etc.