The Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus have prepared the musical version of “Simon Bokanegra”, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera. On December 25 and 27 the Armenian opera stars Barsegh Tumanyan, Mkrtich Babajanyan, Ara Avanyan, Irina Zakyan and others will perform for the audience one of the least famous operas of Verdi in the Aram Khachatryan Music Hall.
The events taking place in the 14th century in the city of Geneva have political popularity. “This opera tells the story of a conflict between craftsmen and workers”, said the well-known bass singer Barsegh Tumanyan. The power, love and treason are the focus of the opera. The “Simon Bokanegra” opera will not be in the form of a performance but rather, more like a musical because the opera has neither a director nor decorations. Nice music will be heard on the empty stage in the performance of Armenian opera singers that are well known all over the world. “People don’t listen to classical music in Armenia. This is a great drama for me”, said the director of the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra Edward Topchyan. He feels bad seeing the Aram Khatcharyan Hall crowded only when pop singers are singing. He hopes that “Simon Bokanegra” will become a complete performance. “Art requires investment”, said E. Topchyan. “My enthusiasm is over now. And if we didn’t have the general support of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra wouldn’t have existed long ago”. There is not much interest towards the opera genre all over the world and this initiative is aimed to reminding what a great opera potential our country has.