A reorganized and highly polished Shnorhali Chorale presented its program of “Unforgettable Melodies” to an audience of 300 persons in the beautifully-decorated sanctuary of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, on Friday evening, December 6, 2013. The concert was dedicated to the 55th Anniversary of Holy Martyrs and the 5th Anniversary of the Chorale.
The singers performed admirably under the artistic direction of Maestro Vagharshak Ohanyan who also interacted as their piano accompanist. The Chorale’s opening number, Soorp, Soorp was dedicated to the memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. The music of legendary Armenian composers comprised the program, including Maestro Khoren Mekanejian who was present in the audience, as well as Maestro Konstantin Petrossian who was unavoidably detained. Lighting techniques provided an aesthetic atmosphere as the program progressed, leading up to a total illumination of the sanctuary’s chandeliers for the final encore number Yerevan Erepouni. Especially invited for the occasion, beloved singer Sibil from Istanbul lent her exceptional voice to several numbers that were well-received and added to the uplifting mood of the occasion. In addition, upcoming young guest pianist Alex Tiratsuyan provided an instrumental interlude midway in the program.
Holy Martyrs’ pastor Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, who was a member of the Chorale and one if its soloists, was pleased to welcome His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, and other clergymen from neighboring parishes.
At the reception following the concert, His Eminence spoke highly of the Chorale and congratulated Fr. Abraham for his efforts in maintaining the group under the umbrella of Holy Martyrs Church.
