Asbarez: Placido Domingo to Perform in Yerevan

World renowned tenor Placido Domingo will be among guests at a gala concert celebrating the 75th birthday anniversary of the late opera singer Gegham Grigoryan.

The event be held at the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet in Yerevan, the Culture Ministry announced. 

Gegham Grigoryan’s daughter Hasmik Grigoryan, among the most famous contemporary opera singers, will perform with Domingo.

The musical director and conductor of the evening will be Gegham Grigoryan’s eldest son, Vardan Grigoryan. A press conference was held on Wednesday October 14 at the Opera House, during which Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the importance of celebrating the anniversaries of great artists. 

Placido Domingo noted his fond memories of Gegham Grigoryan, such as Grigoryan’s performances at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and elsewhere. He remarked on Grigoryan’s superb voice.

Gegham Grigoryan’s daughter, Hasmik Grigoryan, welcomed the audience and thanked the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia and the Opera House for the organizing the event. Gegham Grigoryan’s son, the concert’s musical director and conductor Vardan Grigoryan, also expressed sincere gratitude in his remarks. 

Karen Durgaryan, Director of the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, presented commemorative medals to Placido Domingo and Hasmik Grigoryan in honor of their exceptional presence on the 75th birth anniversary of Gegham Grigoryan. 

Durgaryan noted the necessity of creating an international competition or festival in Gegham Grigoryan’s name. The gala concert will take place at the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet on Friday October 16, at 7pm. 

The show will join Gegham Grigoryan’s family, students, and prominent international opera artists, in celebration of Grigoryan’s creative legacy and memory.