The Klingen Choir and Cultural Association presented a concert-exhibition dedicated to the 155th anniversary of Komitas’ birth. The event, held under the auspices of the Embassy of Armenia to the UK and the Armenian Community Centre Wales, took place on June 8 in St. German’s Church, Metal St. Cardiff for the first time in Wales. The event was directed by maestro Sipan Olah.
Musicians and audience members from London visited the garden of the Temple of Peace in Cardiff, Wales to see the Armenian Genocide memorial.
John Torosyan, the founder of the Armenian Community Centre of Wales, delivered a special speech about the khachkar, which was placed in the garden of the Temple of Peace in 2007 in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
After that, the group of visitors from London enjoyed a walk, sightseeing around central Cardiff.
There was a reception and an exhibition at St. German’s church hall, which was followed by a concert in the historic St. German’s church.
The event featured 19th century silver jewelry, artworks and Komitas manuscripts, record and book exhibitions, as well as a talk organized by artist Mariam Torosyan from Cardiff.
There were solo performances by internationally acclaimed musicians, including Sipan Olah, conductor/ tenor /piano and concert director; Evgenia Terentieva, piano; Hayarpi Yeghikyan, soprano; Narine Malkhasyan, soprano; Elvira Margarian, soprano; Helen Rotchell, mezzo-soprano; Hagop Jack Mouradian, oboe; as well as pieces performed by the Klingen choir and vocal ensemble, presenting the immortal musical heritage of the great Armenian composer, Komitas.
Ambassador of Armenia in the UK Varuzhan Nersesyan delivered a speech on Komitas and his precious legacy. He highlighted the strong connection, cooperation, and friendship between Wales, Welsh people, and Armenians. He also thanked the Klingen Choir and Cultural Association, maestro Olah and the Armenian Community Centre of Wales for the professional presentation and performance of music by Komitas.
Maestro Olah and Ambassador Nersesyan received special Komitas medals during the event, which were gifted by Torosyan, who thanked the KCCA for the continuous and dedicated work in promoting and presenting Armenian music and arts all over the UK and worldwide.
Special guests in attendance at the concert were Stephen Thomas, Fr. Nicholas, and Member of Parliament Stephen Doughty, as well as Armenian and Welsh music enthusiasts.
This was a brilliant opportunity to witness the spectacular concert-exhibition in Wales for the first time and to enjoy the beautiful city of Cardiff.
Last month, on the May 18, the same concert-exhibition dedicated to Komitas was held in London’s St. Sarkis Armenian Church, which was another successful event organized by the KCCA in cooperation with the Embassy of Armenia to the UK and St. Sarkis church.