ArmenPress
May 5 2004
ARMENIA MAY CEASE RECEIVING PRIVILEGED LOANS FROM WORLD BANK IN 4
YEARS
YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenia has received so far some $788
million in loans from World Bank for implementation of 33 projects.
World Bank Armenia Resident Representative, Roger Robinson, told a
news conference today that cooperation between the Bank and Armenian
government encompasses education, health, road-building, agriculture
development and other sectors.
He said loans are allocated to Armenia with a 35 year maturity
period, 10 year grace period and 0.5 percent annual interest rates.
Robinson said if the current economy growth rate continues into next
four years, the country will no longer be eligible to privileged
loans from World Bank, which are given to poor countries. Robinson
said Armenia has enough resources to utilize World Bank loans
effectively. He also said Armenia will not feel the lack of
development funds in upcoming years and that the main problem will be
to efficiently use them.
He said on June 10 World Bank Board of Directors will discuss a
set of credit projects for continuing health and other reforms. Some
$20 million are expected to come for implementation of a long-term
health project.
Another loan in the amount of $5 million may be released to
Armenian employment and social issues ministry to improve employment
services. This will be followed by another loan for improving the
security of water reservoirs. Overall, the anticipated amount of new
loans may amount to $30 million.
In conclusion Robinson said that despite a substantial progress in
improvement of business environment Armenian authorities still have a
lot to do to bring it in compliance with international standards.

PR Newswire (press release)
May 5 2004
Wealth and Poverty Continue to Coexist in Europe – Diouf

WASHINGTON, MONTPELIER, Vt. and ROME, May 5 /PRNewswire/ — Europe
includes some of the most advanced countries in the world as well as
others that have high levels of poverty, FAO Director-General
Dr. Jacques Diouf said today in his address to the FAO Regional
Conference for Europe.
“The level of poverty in the region, based on a poverty line of
less than $2 per day, stands at 21 percent and 5 percent of the
population are affected by food insecurity. Such levels are lower
than in most other parts of the world, but significant differences
exist among the countries,” Dr. Diouf said.
“Special attention needs to be paid to the poorest countries of
the region, especially those of southeast Europe and the Commonwealth
of Independent States, to help resolve their problems of food
insecurity and rural poverty,” Dr. Diouf said.
Factors fuelling poverty in the past 15 years include the
difficulties associated with moving from a centrally planned economy
to a market economy, declining production in agriculture and the
agrifood sector and resulting unemployment. In the Balkans, the
situation has been further exacerbated by conflict, he added.
The number of undernourished people in the countries in transition
grew from 25 to 34 million between 1993-1995 and 1999-2001, according
to FAO’s State of Food Insecurity in the World 2003. Nearly all of
the increases in undernourishment took place in the Commonwealth of
Independent States, where the number of hungry people rose from 20.6
to 28.8 million.
Agricultural production Agricultural production in the region as a
whole fell by about 0.5 percent per year between 1998 and 2003.
Agriculture accounted for 12 percent of the region’s gross domestic
product in 2001.
Agricultural exports represented 7.4 percent of total exports in
2002, for a value of $211 billion, against agricultural imports of
$222 billion. The 25 countries of the European Union account for more
than 90 percent of these figures.
The year 2003 was unfortunately not a good year for agriculture in
most countries in the region, Dr. Diouf said. Drought, frost,
flooding and other problems, such as locust and rodent infestation,
led to a sharp decline in agricultural production, especially in
Armenia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine.
“During the last biennium, six countries of the Balkans and
Commonwealth of Independent States received emergency assistance from
FAO to deal with crises in their agricultural sectors, for a total of
some US$15 million,” he added.
Despite these problems, Dr. Diouf said that he was confident that
a determined Europe can meet the challenges of poverty and food
insecurity.
Noting that external aid to agricultural development fell from $27
billion to as low as $10 billion during the 1990s, Dr. Diouf called on
countries to double external aid to agriculture. He said investment
in agriculture should also be increased in order to achieve progress
in reducing undernourishment.
He underlined that a fair trading policy is essential for rural
development and food security.
Agricultural technology The transfer and adoption of appropriate
technology is essential for the sustainable intensification of
agricultural systems, Dr. Diouf added.
Very important are the promotion of exchanges, the existence of
regional and global partnerships and the strengthening of linkages
between public and private research, extension, education and
communication institutions.
The Regional Conference for Europe will also discuss the
improvement of food safety.
“Improving the safety and quality of food products remains a key
objective of governments, private sector and civil society
organizations of all the countries of the region. Such improvement
will help safeguard public health, meet consumer expectations and
encourage local and international trade,” Dr Diouf said.

ArmenPress
May 5 2004
PAN-ARMENIAN PROGRAMMING CONTEST ANNOUNCED
YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS: Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF)
and the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) have
announced the First Pan Armenian Open Programming Contest that will
be conducted on June 1-18, 2004.
The goal of the Contest is to identify the best programming talent
and strengthen the linkages between IT professionals in Armenia and
Diaspora. Young people less than 30 years old from Armenia or
Diaspora who consider their skills competitive in one programming
languages (C++, Visual C++, Visual Basic, Java or Pascal) are
eligible to apply for the contest. The Contest will be conducted in
two main stages:
Individual competition: June 1 – 7, 2004. Individual competition,
which may involve a screening procedure, will be simultaneously held
in Armenia and Diaspora community centers. Participants will be given
3 hours to solve 5 problems. The winners will be awarded with
certificates and prizes: computer, printer, digital camera, etc.
Group competition: June 18, 2004. The best 30 participants of the
Individual competition, who will also have a working knowledge of
English will participate in the Summer School to be held on June
14-18 in Tsaghkadsor. Trainings will be provided by leading
specialists of Lycos, Intel and Xerox.
Participants of the training program will be involved in Group
competition. Mixed groups of three (3) will be organized and they
will be given 3 hours to solve 3 problems. The best group will be
awarded with a certificate and prize.
Pan Armenian Open Programming Contest will be monitored by leading
Armenian and Diaspora specialists. Applications for Contest
participation can be obtained on May 5 onward from UITE, Yerevan, 1/3
P. Byuzand, 4th floor or from administration of Universities.
Applications can also be filled in online on Deadline
for application is May 25, 2004.

ArmenPress
May 5 2004
AVET TERTERIAN FESTIVAL SLATED FOR AUTUMN
YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS: The Union of Armenian Composers will
hold a festival in autumn dedicated to the 75-anniversary of great
composer Avet Terterian. The chairman of the Union, Robert
Amirkhanian, told Armenpress the festival will bring to Yerevan
prominent performers, critics and composers from many countries.
Considered by many as one of the most progressive and original
composers of the end of the 20th century who introduced new and
revolutionary ways in the development of modern symphony. Terterian
is the author of eight symphonies (the ninth was left incomplete),
two operas “Ring of Fire” and “The Earthquake”, ballet “Richard the
3rd”, vocal-symphonic cycle, and many chamber works. His symphonic
works are often performed in the European musical centers and his
opera “The Earthquake” received its world premiere in Munich in 2003
with an unprecedented public reception and wide ranging critical
acclaim.
Avet Terterian was awarded by German Az-Abendzeitung newspaper the
title of Star of the Year for his opera “The Earthquake.”
Terterian’s creativity is rooted in the ancient traditions of
Armenian music. Melodic flourishes are present, but are used as sound
gestures contrasting with passages rich in tone color. The point of
departure of Terterian’s style is often a single tone held out over
long stretches of time.
Terterian was born in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1929 and died in 1994 in
Yekaterinburg, Russia.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
NEWS FROM CANADIAN ARMENIAN DIOCESE
A) His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian visits Armenian Church
Canadian Diocese
Upon the invitation of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese, the Primate of the Diocese of
Artsakh His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian will be visiting
Canada from the 22nd to 29th April 2004.
On Friday night, 23rd April 2004 Abp. Martirossian participated in the
Martyrs’ Prayer and Ecumenical service to be held at St Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Cathedral commemorating the 89th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide. Present were the Montreal Church leaders and
eminent politicians.
On April 24, Abp Martirossian celebrated the Holy Divine Liturgy at
Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, where regional Church Leaders
and ecumenical representatives attended the special requiem service
dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
On Monday April 26, both Serpazans accompanied by Rev. Fr. Zareh
Zargarian, Pastor of the church and his assistant Deacon Vrej
Berberian visited the Armenian schools in Toronto, starting with the
new and old buildings of Kololian School, then to Holy Asdvadzadzin
Church school, followed by Holy Cross School and the AGBU Zaroukian
School. His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Martirossian and Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian returned to Montreal the same afternoon.
In the evening, AGBU Montreal chapter hosted a reception in honor of
His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian, giving an opportunity to
Armenian Community members to meet with His Eminence Archbishop
Martirossian.
On the 27th of April, 2004 a meeting with the Youth of Greater
Montreal Area was organized. His Eminence Abp. Martirossian is the
spiritual leader of Artsakh. His Eminence was one of the first
Armenians to enter Shoushi, the strategic stronghold that was held by
the Azerbaijani forces. Shoushi’s conquest became the turning point of
liberation of Artsakh. Abp. Martirossian immediately cleaned up the
All Saints (Amenapergitch) Armenian Church of the city and celebrated
the Divine Liturgy, giving thanks to the Lord for the liberation of
the once vibrant Armenian city of Shoushi.
B) Divine Liturgy Celebration in Toronto’s Holy Trinity Church in
Commemoration of Victims of the Armenian Genocide
On Saturday 24 April at 7:30 pm Abp. Barkev Martirossian, Primate of
the Diocese of Artsakh, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in commemoration
of the victims of the Armenian genocide. Abp. Martirossian had been
invited by the Primate of the Canadian Diocese Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian.
Along with a capacity crowd present to honor the memory of the
Armenian victims, were heads and representatives of sister churches,
including the Catholic Church Cardinal of Toronto Aloysius Ambrozic,
Bishop of Toronto Terrence Finley, Fr. Peter Avgeropoulos
(representing the Greek Metropolitan Abp. Satirios), Fr. Ammonius
Guirguis from the Coptic Orthodox Church, Fr. Stephanos Issan of the
Assyrian Church, Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches
Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, Fr. William Osbern of the Memorial Church,
Fr. Damian McPherson from the Catholic Church Diocese of Toronto, and
Fr. Canon Harold Nahabedian of St. Mary of Magdalene Church. In
attendance were also political personalities who were present both to
honor the memory of the victims and to congratulate the Armenian
community on the occasion of the Canadian Parliament’s recognition on
April 21 of the Armenian Genocide. Among the politicians present were
Ara Papian, Ambassador of Armenia, Members of Parliament Sarkis
Assadourian, John Cannis, Gary Phillips and Jim Karigiannis.
In his sermon the Primate of Artsakh told the faithful not to bear any
hatred toward the perpetrator, for they will face God’s judgment.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a commemoration program was organized in
the church’s “Magaros Artinian” Hall by the World Alliance. The
premiere of BBC’s documentary on the Armenian Genocide was screened
and addresses were delivered by the politicians who once again
denounced the act of genocide as a solution to social issues. At the
end of his speech, MP Karigiannis invited the Primate of the Canadian
Diocese and the Ambassador of Armenia to receive a copy of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and wished that one day it
will be translated into Armenian, alongside other languages. The
commemoration ended by a midnight ceremony and laying of flowers in
front of the memorial in the church courtyard.
On Sunday April 25, following the Divine Liturgy, opening ceremony was
conducted of the newly established Family Help Unit of the Holy
Trinity Church. Both Serpazans blessed the members of the new
Committee before the Altar, then proceeded by a procession to the
premises of the unit where they cut the ribbon, formally inaugurating
the new office. A reception was then held in the Magaros Artinian Hall
in honor of Abp. Barkev Martirossian, who related to the faithful the
current situation in Nagorno Karabakh and the progress achieved since
its liberation.
C) Sun Youth and Children’s Hospital
On Thursday, 22 April 2004, Rev Father Hayrig Hovhannissian
accompanied with the members of Diocesan Youth Council visited
children at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. During the whole month
of April the Diocesan Youth Council organized selfless acts in order
to give back to the Montreal Community in memory of 1.5 million
victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, honoring the slogan “BEYOND
OUR LOSS WE HELP”.

Children’s Hospital Administration Staff welcomed the Diocesan Youth
Council at the main entrance of the hospital. During their visit at
the Montreal Children’s Hospital Rev. Father Hayrig Hovhannissian
along with members from the Diocesan Youth Council visited children in
the wards and handed them toys. They were accompanied by the Hospital
mascot Caramel who added a greater atmosphere of joy to the sick
kids. This event was covered by CTV news on the spot and shown on the
same evening in the news.

Prior to this event, on Monday April 12th 2004, Primate of the
Armenian Diocese of Canada His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian and
members of the Diocesan Youth Council distributed food to needy
families at the Montreal Sun Youth Community Center. His Eminence
along with some members of the Diocesan Youth Council helped local Sun
Youth workers and volunteers prepare the provisions and food bags, and
distributed them to the families at the center. Local Sun Youth
workers were very thankful to see such an unselfish act from our youth
commemorating the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide.

Overall the Diocesan Youth Council under the auspices of His Grace
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian organized three main events throughout the
month of April. The first was a blood drive for HEMA Quebec, the
second a food drive for the Sun Youth and the third a toy collection
and distribution for Montreal Children’s Hospital. These were new
concepts for the Armenian community in Canada and they were marked
with great success. Through their grievance, the Armenians gave back
to the community.
D) Junior Choir & Nazeli Dance Group
On Saturday April 17th 2004, under the auspices of His Eminence Bishop
Galstanian, Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada, the Junior Choir
and Nazeli Dance Group of St Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church of
Providence performed at AGBU Armen Quebec Alex Manoogian School. The
Junior Choir, organized by Maestro Konstantin Petrossian, performed
hymns and music of the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church and songs
by Armenian and American composers. The Cultural Committee’s Arts
Education program had organized the Nazeli Dance group in October
2000. Girls between 8-16 years old, dressed in beautiful Armenian
costumes, danced many Armenian folk dances, and were highly
appreciated by the audience.
Very Reverend Father Vazgen Boyajyan welcomed the audience and thanked
His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian for sponsoring this event. In
his closing words, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian congratulated and highly
appreciated the Junior Choir and Nazeli Dance Group of Saint Sahag and
St Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence. His Eminence said “you have
proved once more that this nation shall never die”. He then wished
the members of the Choir continued success in their future endeavors.
E) Meeting with Anahit Bayandour
On Wednesday April 14, Montreal Armenian community representatives and
intellectuals met with Ms. Anahid Bayandour, one of Armenia’s leading
political, intellectual and literary figures. She was invited by
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian
Diocese. Rev. Fr. Vazken Boyadjian introduced the guest as the author
of many books. Ms. Bayandour has translated many literary pieces from
Armenian to Russian and vice-versa. As a member of independent
Armenia’s Parliament she has extended her services in the political
and social life of Armenia. Currently she has been conducting some
studies in the US upon the invitation by the National Endowment Fund
in Washington.
Ms. Bayandour discussed in detail and analyzed the sociopolitical
conditions in Armenia in particular and in the Caucasus in general
since the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the newly independent
nations faced a vacuum and struggled to institute the democratic
system in their countries. Following her presentation, a long question
and answer period was held during which Bishop Galstanian also
expressed his views as a witness of those turbulent years.
Ms. Bayandour thanked the Primate for the invitation and for
organizing this meeting, as well as appreciated the Primate’s serious
and objective assessment of the situation in Armenia.
F) New Sunday, Blessing Day of Armenian Schools
On Sunday April 18, 2004 St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian cathedral
was filled up with hundreds of student of AGBU Armen-Quebec Alex
Manougian Armenian Day school of Montreal.
As New Sunday was declared “Day of Armenian School” by the Primate,
His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, a unique ceremony was designed to
celebrate the feast and bless the students of Armenian Day School.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Pastor of St Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Cathedral Rev. Fr Vazgen Boyadjian. The Choir of
St Sahag and St Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence conducted by
Maestro Konstantin Petrossian participated in the ceremonies and was
highly appreciated by the faithful.
During the celebration of Holy Liturgy students from AGBU Armen-Quebec
Alex Manougian school approached the altar as a sign of devotion to
their mother church.
His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian highlighted the mission of the
Armenian School and praised its more than three decades of providing a
high standard of education our new generations. Bishop Galstanian also
appreciated the current administration and the principal of the school
Mr. Robert Kechayan. He then blessed the students of Armenian Day
School and wished them success in their endeavors.
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE

ArmenPress
May 5 2004
CHURCH WARNS OF SECTS PROSELYTIZERS
YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Church said today it has
arranged with the management of two Yerevan cinema houses, Moskva and
Nairi, which show Mel Gibson’s The Passions of the Christ that an
announcement will be made prior to each show to warn that young men
and women approaching the viewers after the end of the show and
offering brochures on religious topics have no relations with the
Armenian Apostolic Church and are members of different sects, who are
reported to be proselytizing near these cinema houses.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
May 4, 2004 Tuesday
Armenian opposition say to refrain from protests until May 14
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Armenian opposition will refrain from meetings, marches or other mass
actions and is ready to organize discussions with the government and
political parties on the ways of ending the current crisis, Albert
Bazeyan, one of the leaders of the oppositionist Republic Party, told
a meeting in Yerevan.
Opposition forces took that decision as a sign of respect for the
resolution on the situation in Armenia that the Council of Europe had
issued April 28, he said.
The document contained, among other things, a call for dialogue
between the government and the opposition.
Bazeyan recalled that President Robert Kocharian’s resignation
remained the oppositionists’ chief demand.
He reiterated the claims that Kocharian was an illegitimate leader
since he had come to power due to “amassed electoral violations”.
The authorities say, in the meantime, that the oppositionists are
displaying political extremism and insist that dialogue be held in
the walls of the national parliament.
Despite rainy weather, the meeting gathered about 8,000 participants,
who thronged through the central streets towards the building of the
Prosecutor General’s Office, where they demanded to release from
detention some of the opposition activists.
Police reinforcements were drawn to the Presidential Palace.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
May 4, 2004 Tuesday
Russia is guarantor of stability – Adzharian leader
MOSCOW
Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze has turned down the ultimatum of
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, who wants Adzharia to start
disarming illegal units within ten days.
“The ultimatum cannot solve our problems, because realities do not
coincide with wishes of the center,” Abashidze told Itar-Tass by
telephone. “I do not need the ultimatum. I know what to do in the
autonomous republic.”
“Batumi still wants dialog despite ongoing provocations of Tbilisi.
There are only a few matters unacceptable for us, and we are ready to
resolve the rest of problems,” Abashidze said.
The state of emergency in Adzharia “will be cancelled as soon as the
mutual understanding is reached,” Abashidze said. “Like it or not,
Russia will be a guarantor of stability by the Moscow and Kars
treaties in case of destabilization, and Tbilisi must be aware of
that.”
An open-ended Kars treaty on friendship between Turkey, on one side,
and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, on the other side, was signed
with the participation of Russia in 1921. The treaty says that Turkey
drops its claims to Adzharia, which shall return to Georgia as an
autonomous region on two conditions. The first condition is that
Georgia shall provide for full cultural, religious and national
autonomy of Adzharia, up to the Adzharian right to adopt laws. The
second condition is that Georgia shall provide for free transit via
the Batumi port.
As for the Tuesday episode in Batumi, Abashidze said, the student
protest “was planned in Tbilisi, and the young people were
aggressive.” “Problems were inevitable against the background of the
state of emergency and the curfew. We would not have allowed any
incidents if we could. The only thing we want is peace,” Abashidze
said.
Students had a rally in Batumi on Tuesday to demand resignation of
the Adzharian authorities. The police used water guns and clubs
against the students, who failed to meet the state of emergency
requirements. There is information nine to 13 people were hurt.
Abashidze said earlier on Tuesday that he would not seek political
asylum abroad. “I am not the kind of a man who runs away,” Abashidze
said on the Ekho Moskvy Radio.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
May 4, 2004 Tuesday
Media advisory: Russian-Armenian cooperation conference
Russian Federation Council
Press Service
The Russian Federation Council and the Armenian National Assembly
will hold an international conference in the city of Samara from May
14 to May 15.
The participants in the conference will consider the status and
prospect of development of inter-regional Russian-Armenian
cooperation.
Speaker of the Federation Council Sergey Mironov and Chairman of the
National Assembly Atrur Bagdasarian will open the conference.
Representatives of Russian and foreign mass media, TV and
broadcasting companies are invited to attend the conference.
Journalists’ accreditation will be held by the Federation Council
press service.
Federation Council press service telephone numbers: 292-1877,
292-7525 or 292-5604; fax: 292-4305.

The Times (London)
May 5, 2004, Wednesday
Il trovatore
by Hilary Finch
Il trovatore. Covent Garden. ***
ELIJAH MOSHINSKY has returned to direct the first revival of his
visually spectacular Il trovatore, new to the Royal Opera two years
ago. With Dante Ferretti (designer for the likes of Pasolini, Fellini
and Scorsese) in charge of the sets, it’s still a banquet for the
eye. Except, that is, for the monochrome landscape images which act
as curtain projections between the overlong scene changes.
Verdi’s four musical canvases -the Duel, the Gypsy, the Gypsy’s Son
and the Punishment -are realised in monumental tableaux, each one
beautifully lit by Howard Harrison. Every entrance in the dark
shadows of the first is framed by a line of lofty pillars; Azucena
and her band of Risorgimento partisans hide out among four massive,
glowing furnaces; exquisite Piranesi-like perspectives of glass and
steel house the convent.
But there’s a price to pay for this visual magnificence. Tableaux
they may be; but Verdi’s are tableaux vivants, and Moshinsky’s
staging, seduced by its own beauty, does too little to empower this
cast beyond formulaic body language. There’s simply too little
impassioned engagement with the music, with each other or with the
audience.
This is very much in the nature of the beast. While Moshinsky’s
production admirably realises the form of Verdi’s opera, it can too
easily stifle its beating heart. The individual seems trapped within
the massive set pieces: the emotional charge at the meeting of Di
Luna, Manrico and Leonora in the convent is diffused by the fearful
symmetry of the stagecraft; the sparring of the Count’s leather-clad
soldiers in Part III is almost risibly “choreographed”.
Dwarfed by their environments, a strong new cast stand and deliver
goods of considerable quality. Three Eastern European singers
contribute effectively to Verdi’s dark palette in this opera.
The opening narrative is compellingly and elegantly shaped by the
Ferrando of the Armenian bass-baritone Arutjun Kotchinian. And the
Georgian baritone Lado Ataneli brings menace, if too little ardour
and anger to the role of Di Luna. In the Russian mezzo Irina Mishura,
Azucena, Verdi’s own favourite, has both the high flare of flame and
a dark anguish within her true chest voice. She simply isn’t
exploited enough on stage.
Marco Berti’s coarse-edged and tirelessly robust Manrico and Fiorenza
Cedolins’s Leonora sing feistily, but too seldom to each other.
The Royal Opera Orchestra play superbly for the veteran Verdian
Edward Downes; but on the first night, even he was unable to provide
quite the elan and momentum this show still needs.
Box office: 020-7304 4000