AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 14, 2005
ARMENIAN PHILHARMONIC HOSTS BARITONE RENATO BRUSON AND CONDUCTOR
ALEXANDER SIRANOSIAN
New York, NY – The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (APO), supported by
AGBU, continues to catalyze Yerevan’s cultural scene with two major
concerts this season, a performance by Italian baritone, Renato
Bruson, and the premiere by Alexander Siranosian of a long-lost
symphony by Vincent D’Indi.
On February 5th, 2005, the APO hosted the famous Italian baritone
affiliated with the Vienna State Opera, Renato Bruson, for a sold-out
performance where he performed arias by Verdi under the direction of
APO conductor, Eduard Topchjan. The concert, attended by President of
the Republic of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, and Armenian Culture
Minister, Hovik Hoveyan, attracted leading political and cultural
luminaries, along with members of the city’s international community.
On April 8th, 2005, French conductor, Alexander Siranosian, led the
APO in the world premiere of nineteenth century French composer
Vincent d’Indi’s 1872 “Italian Symphony,” a work that has languished
in obscurity for over 140 years. Siranosian discovered the piece while
conducting research in the composer’s archive.
The symphony, according to the composer’s great-grandson, Christophe
D’Indi, who attended the Yerevan premiere, symbolizes the victory of
Christianity over Paganism. “[Vincent D’Indi] was a friend of the
Armenian people but his name is not known to Armenians. I believe that
APO will help fill this gap by performing more of his work in the
future,” D’Indi told Armenpress news agency.
Other recent concerts during APO’s 2004-2005 season included
performances by two guest artists from Europe (Hratchia Hovhnnissian
from Germany and Emmanuel Siffert from Switzerland), a joint
performance of Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” with Hover choir on the
occasion of Greek Independence Day, and an appearance by young
violinist, Suzy Yeritsian.
Formed over 75 years ago, APO has been mainly subsidized by AGBU since
1992 in recognition of the importance of the performing arts in
Armenia. Annual grants are allocated for weekly concerts, new
instruments, administration, salary supplements, international guest
artists and special festivals. APO has successfully toured Austria,
England, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey. UAE
and the United States, and has produced over a dozen CD
recordings. For more information on APO, please visit or