World opera stars in Yerevan: Gegham Grigoryan anniversary brings together Plácido Domingo, Asmik Grigorian and other leading performers

A concert marking the 75th anniversary of the birth of the late Gegham Grigoryan, the celebrated tenor and legend of world opera, will bring a constellation of stars together on one stage.

The concert will take place on 16 October at the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Performers will include world-renowned tenor Plácido Domingo, Grigoryan’s daughter, the acclaimed singer Asmik Grigorian, Barsegh Tumanyan, Hovhannes Ayvazyan, Liparit Avetisyan, Evgeny Nikitin, Tatiana Pavlovskaya, Irena Milkevičiūtė and others.

Grigoryan’s eldest son, conductor Vardan Grigoryan, will lead the concert.

On 14 October, journalists met the guests, organisers and members of Grigoryan’s family to discuss the forthcoming evening and their memories of the singer.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan stressed the importance of properly marking anniversaries that recognise the contributions of distinguished artists and the cultural values that guide progress.

“It is important that Gegham Grigoryan’s 75th anniversary is being marked at the opera theatre with an event like this, particularly at a time when Yerevan is becoming a global capital, welcoming many guests arriving in our country for COP17. This wonderful concert dedicated to Gegham Grigoryan also makes our capital a centre of world classical music,” the minister said.

Andreasyan said Yerevan’s opera theatre had flourished in recent years. The forthcoming appearance of distinguished artists on its stage was therefore no coincidence, she said, but evidence that the Armenian government’s cultural policy was producing excellent results.

The minister gave Domingo a special welcome, saying they were always pleased to see him in Armenia.

Domingo said this was his second visit to Armenia. He had been greatly impressed by the audience during his first visit and had enjoyed his time in the country. He admitted that he had been in Yerevan for only four hours and was a little tired, but would be fully ready for the concert.

Gegham Grigoryan and Plácido Domingo shared creative collaborations, a longstanding friendship and mutual respect. Their collaboration forms a significant chapter in international opera history. Domingo conducted Verdi’s Aida, in which Grigoryan sang the role of Radamès.

“Gegham Grigoryan was a great singer. I remember his performances at Covent Garden, La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera and the Mariinsky Theatre,” Domingo said.

Asmik Grigorian is one of today’s best-known opera singers. She has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera, London’s Royal Opera, the Paris Opera and the Salzburg Festival.

She is a recipient of an International Opera Award and an Opus Klassik award, and has twice been named Singer of the Year by Opernwelt magazine.

“My father was like a sunrise to me. He was a radiant person. I have Armenian and Lithuanian blood. The Armenian part is the warmth. He taught us to live life to the full every day. He told me that singing was important, as was fame; doing what you love was important, as was a career. But the most important thing was to remain a human being. He was a wonderful person, and that is probably why he is so loved,” Grigorian said.

Conductor Vardan Grigoryan said he had, unfortunately, not had many opportunities for professional discussions with his father. However, his father had taught him to understand singers readily and appreciate their nature.

The opera theatre’s director, Karen Durgaryan, described Vardan Grigoryan as a highly independent artist who was forging his own path. He said Gegham Grigoryan would have told his son that he was on the right path and would have been proud of his achievements.

Gegham Grigoryan’s younger son, Tigran Grigoryan, who will also sing at the concert, attended the meeting. He recalled that his father had led Yerevan’s opera theatre during his childhood and had often taken him there instead of to nursery.

“I can say that I grew up in this building. I remember the rehearsals and the joyful atmosphere. When we entered the theatre, I noticed that people sensed Gegham Grigoryan was a great maestro. That brought joy and cheerfulness to everyone. My father wanted to give a great deal to the theatre and develop it. He was very devoted,” Tigran said.

Before the meeting ended, Karen Durgaryan thanked Domingo for coming to Armenia and presented him with a commemorative medal. He presented another commemorative medal to Asmik Grigorian, emphasising that she was always there for the theatre.