Los Angeles Armenian Community Honors Grammy Nominees Mansurian and Orbelian

LOS ANGELES—At a celebration luncheon held on Jan. 13 in Los Angeles, the Armenian community honored two Armenian musicians, Tigran Mansurian and Constantine Orbelian, on the occasion of their nomination for the prestigious Grammy Awards.

Maestro Orbelian with Mrs. Alice Navasargian, one of the sponsors of the luncheon (Photo courtesy of Sona Hamalian)

The luncheon, which took place at Bistro Garden in Studio City, was attended by a cross section of cultural leaders and music lovers. It was sponsored by Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian, Mrs. Alice Navasargian, and Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Joyce Stein.

Maestro Orbelian with the organizing committee: Mrs. Flora Dunaiants, Mrs. Elizabeth Agbabian, and Mrs. Hermine Janoyan (Photo courtesy of Sona Hamalian)

In his opening remarks, the event’s master of ceremonies, professor Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Chair of Armenian Studies at UCLA, formally introduced the honorees and encapsulated the achievements for which they have received Grammy Award nominations from the Recording Academy. Professor Cowe also highlighted the fact that this year marks the 85^th anniversary of the Yerevan Opera House, as well as the 150^th anniversary of Armenian opera, which was founded with the operatic masterpiece “Arshak II.”

Maestro Orbelian with the Sharafyan family (Photo courtesy of Sona Hamalian)

Later during the luncheon, professor Cowe also presented the biographies of the honorees, detailing their outstanding bodies of work.

Mansurian, recognized as a People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia, is a leading composer of classical music and film scores. His “Requiem” has been nominated for the Grammy Award in two categories: Best Choral Performance and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

Maestro Orbelian with Mr. and Mrs. Mansurian (Photo courtesy of Sona Hamalian)

Orbelian is a globally acclaimed pianist and conductor and an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. Since June 2016, he has helmed the National Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia (the Yerevan Opera House) as its general director and artistic director. His recording of Sviridov’s “Russia Cast Adrift,” featuring the late baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and the State Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg, has received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Conductor on a Solo Vocal Album.

Maestro Orbelian with Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian, who were among the sponsors of the luncheon (Photo courtesy of Sona Hamalian)

Following Professor Cowe’s remarks, the guests were treated to a musical interlude by pianist Artashes Kartalyan.

Subsequently, in the event’s most anticipated segment, Maestro Orbelian was interviewed on stage by Asbarez English Editor Ara Khachatourian.

Maestro Orbelian was interviewed on stage by Asbarez English Editor Ara Khachatourian (Photo: Asbarez)

The lively, highly informative conversation touched on current plans for expanding the activities of the Yerevan Opera House through new musical productions, performances abroad, educational programs, and community outreach, as well as the need for substantial pan-Armenian support toward the further modernization and development of the Yerevan Opera House as a dynamic cultural hub and a national treasure.