Friends of Armenian Culture Society Celebrates 60th Year

BOSTON, Mass.—Dr. Varant Hagopian’s passion for classical music and the Armenian performing arts has made him a somewhat inveterate follower.

Nareh Arghamanyan in 2008 after winning the Montreal International Competition
Since 1952 when the Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS) began hosting Armenian Night at the Pops, he’s never missed a concert.

 

Over that time, Hagopian has made the trip to Boston’s Symphony Hall with members of his chronological family. There’s also an added inducement. He’s served on the planning committee and delights in seeing his efforts utilized on stage with some of the world’s greatest musicians and conductors.

For him, it’s been a welcoming release from his ongoing medical practice and introduced his children to the best Armenian music possible.

“I’ve brought my children and now their children,” he beams with pride. “I feel pleased that FACS has remained a staple throughout the Greater Boston Armenian community for six decades. Its success has been insurmountable.”

From one table to two, the Hagopians occupy their seats with unadulterated pleasure, attend the reception that follows and get their friends and associates involved. To say he’s a consummate practitioner in both medical and concert stage is putting it succinctly.

“When a child of eight sits at my table and is exposed to music like this, it gives me tremendous joy,” he says. “Hopefully, FACS will be around long enough for him to bring his own children. It’s all about generations and we’re serving numerous.”

As the 60th season unfolds Sat., June 25, with an appearance by world-renowned soprano Hasmik Papian, members are hard at work tying up the loose ends for this milestone venue. Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart is getting his baton ready for what should prove another delightful encore for the group.

“He’s really enamored by our music,” said FACS President Ara Arakelian, who’s been active with FACS the past 15 years. “He promotes our concerts and really gets into the spirit of the moment. He considers our music both profound and eclectic.”

Rouben Gregorian with Boston Pops Conductor Arthur Fiedler
Papian has a rich biographical history since graduating from the Komitas Academy in Yerevan first as a violinist and then a singer. She made her debut with the Armenian National Opera as Rosina in “The Barber of Seville” and later as the angelic Mimi in “La Boheme,” thus launching an international career.

 

Today she is regarded as one of the most successful lyrical-dramatic sopranos worldwide and making her FACS debut.

Those who might recall the appearance of contemporary Isabel Bayrakdarian might also connect with Papian whose resume is mirrored. Both bring a physical and vocal reputation to the stage with their renditions of everything from Puccini to Gomidas.

“Through music, we’re conveying some of our proudest achievements to the world,” added Arakelian. “It’s also showcased our talent, both rising and accomplished. We’ve hosted artists as young as 14 and have remained diversified in our approach. This being the 20th anniversary of the independent republic, we’re trying to establish a bridge between Armenia proper and the

cultural diaspora.”

The 2001 concert celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia remains an indelible moment with the group. That year FACS presented Rouben Gregorian’s “Symphonic Armenian Mass” conducted by his son Leon Gregorian, who grew up in Watertown under his father’s tutelage. That year, the Armenian community sold out Symphony Hall.

Another recent highlight was the appearance of 18-year-old pianist Nareh Arghamanyan in 2008. It was at that concert that Lockhart announced she had just won the Montreal International Competition. She’s since turned professional and is performing this summer with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

Memories of the late Rouben Gregorian conjure up images of a local icon as a composer, performing artist, and conductor of the Komitas Choral Society for many years.

“He would take people off the street, teach them music, then stage a concert and make stars out of them,” Hagopian recalled. “He made beginners sound very, very good.”

The list of FACS accomplishments is long and idyllic, thanks to the honorary board, directors, associates, and thousands of patrons over these decades.

Joining Hagopian as a former president is Dr. Keran Chobanian, board president over many years. Both individuals are recognized for their indomitable and unflagging spirit with the organization.

FACS has done more than sponsor the Pops. Its goal of “enriching the Armenian cultural heritage” over the past 60 years has included a plethora of accomplishments.

For 36 consecutive years (1957-93), they presented the Armenian Cultural Radio Program on Boston WCRB-FM, airing classical and folk music while broadcasting news of Armenian cultural events.

In 1969, a concert of sharagans at Jordan Hall commemorated President John F. Kennedy’s untimely death, a recording of which remains part of the archives in the JFK Library.

Other memorable musical events through the years follow:

– The Boston premiere of “Come Creative Spirit” conducted by Rouben Gregorian with contralto Lili Chookasian and members of the Boston Symphony and choruses from the Boston Conservatory and Radcliffe Choral Society.

– A program honoring the late composer Aram Khachaturian.

– Jordan Hall recitals presenting kanonist Ara Sevanian, Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone Ara Berberian, and a Young Artists’ Festival.

– Programs of tribute to soprano Lucine Amara of the Metropolitan Opera Society, composer Alan Hovhaness, conductor Richard Yardumian, Arthur Fiedler, Rouben Gregorian, Keith Lockhart (1995), Harry Ellis Dickson (1996), Seiji Ozawa (1997), Dr. Elizabeth Gregory (1998), Helen Shushan (1999), and Lili Chookasian (2000).

– A program of hymns and heroic ballads for solo voices and brass quintet by Rouben Gregorian under the direction of Roger Voisin at Tufts Cohen Auditorium in 1990.

– The establishment of a FACS endowed scholarship at the Tanglewood Music Center for an annual scholarship to a talented performing artist, conductor, or composer of Armenian descent.

– The donation of $6,000 to the Yerevan Philharmonic Orchestra.

Needless to say, the years have showcased a number of premiere performances by Armenian composers and featured many prominent and promising artists of Armenian descent.

In a 50-year history recapped by the late Virginia Tashjian, she recalls the fledgling years when organizers met in her home, listened to Armenian classical music, and decided to go public with it. They went banging on doors, raising whatever money they could, and responded to the challenge with great enthusiasm.

“After a discussion with Arthur Fiedler at his suggestion, it was decided to sponsor a concert with the Boston Pops in 1952, a year after the groundwork had been laid,” she wrote. “Outstanding members of the Armenian community were selling tickets and handling publicity. We socialized for any type of help that could contribute.”

Pops ladies were dressed in elegant gowns while men were attired in tuxedos. It quickly became the social extravaganza of the Armenian community, drawing upwards of 700 Armenian guests a concert.

Among other trailblazers were Tufts University guru John Baronian, Dr. Victor Aftandilian, Attorney Robert Kaloustian, Dr. Arthur Shushan, the conductor Gregorian, business expert Jack Avedisian, and renowned organist Berj Jamkochian.

Nothing pleased Stella Aftandilian more than to see a concert dedicated to her late brother John Baronian after being aboard since the outset. That was in 2002 when violinist Ani Kavafian drew a standing ovation.

“Having my children along meant a lot to me,” said Aftandilian. “We’d start hunting around for our Pops gowns three months prior. And usually with white gloves.”

Vice-president Robert Aghababian and wife Sandra have a personal mission in sight. They want to keep Virginia Tashjian’s memory intact.

A memorial service for Virginia Tashjian took place in 2008 at the Newton Public Library where she served as director, featuring Mariam Nazarian, the youngest FACS artist at age 14 when she appeared in 1998.

Aghababian recalls attending concerts as a child and now considers it a privilege to be on the plenary end.

“Virginia was truly the matriarch of our family,” he says of his cousin. “Her presence at these events was compelling. She was truly indispensable.”

Further accolades were passed by wife Sandra.

“Just entering Symphony Hall and seeing your musical heritage unfold was a unique experience,” she noted. “Tickets were at a premium and every concert seemed to supersede the other.”

Raffi Yeghiayan has been aboard the FACS bandwagon for 35 years. He greets the people in Armenian and recounts the history as if it occurred yesterday.

“We’re one of the only ethnic groups that has input in the Pops program,” he reveals. “That’s a major distinction for us. The outside world has shown its appreciation in many ways. They’re surprised at how much talent we have.”

Jessica Manguikian was a violinist growing up and attended these concerts for 20 years. The 34-year-old would like to see more young people at the Pops.

“Music was always part of my upbringing,” she recalls. “My dad encouraged me.”

When Dr. Nishan Goudsouzian got discharged from the army in 1971, it was in time for a Pops concert. And he’s been to most every other one since then.

“It’s a place where people of all distinctions and character convene,” he points out. “Half the audience is non-Armenian and they enjoy our music as much as we do. It speaks a universal language.”

This year’s post-concert reception will take place at the Colonnade featuring a dessert buffet and champagne. For advance tickets, turn to www.FACSBoston.org.

Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette, where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer. He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as a columnist and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.
Tom Vartabedian

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