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YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS: World famous tenor, Armenia’s people artist Vahan Mirakyan will be marking the 75th anniversary of his birthday and 50th anniversary of his creative life April 27 in Al. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre. Armenpress news agency spoke with the maestro on the eve of his anniversaries.
- Mr Mirakyan, you are a citizen of Austria and are living in Los Angeles. What is the symbol of marking your birthday in Yerevan?
- In general it is the first time I will be marking my birthday on stage and in Armenia. I have decided to mark my 75th anniversary on the stage where I was “born”. I have spent 23-24 years on the stage of the Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre. I want to devote my birthday to the people. I hope the audience will mark this day with me.
- How did it happen that you left Armenia? Was it agreed with the Soviet system?
- The reason was not that I was against the Soviet Union. In late 1970s the Opera Theatre was to be reconstructed for three years, and I had an invitation from Belgium. For not losing these three years I applied to the leadership for getting permission to depart, but they did not find it expedient…During that time there was a rule that an artist may be out of the Soviet territory only three months in a year. From 1970s I was mainly living in Moscow but no one considered me a traitor: from Moscow to Yerevan and from Yerevan to Vienna the distance is almost the same, but if I stayed in Vienna... If I stayed in Yerevan till now I would have had only 4-5 new roles, while there I sang about 20 new roles. Departure to Austria gave me new wings. I have succeeded to sing in the best theatres of South Africa, Japan, Korea, the best theatres of Europe not three months a year but as much as I could.
- From who have you inherited your voice? Were there other musicians in Mirakyans’ family?
- No, there were not. My grandfather Vahan Mirakyan was a poet. I continued his poetry with voice. It is said that music and poetry are very close to each other. Tatoul Altunyan played a great role in my choice of opera art. He took me to Conservatoire. Our families were close, I was always singing at birthdays, and he was saying I have a good voice. I went to Conservatoire but I did not have music education at all. Usually in preparatory department students study for two years, but I was kept there for three. Twice my parents called me and advised to change my occupation as I would not have big future in opera. Till the third course I was getting only satisfactory marks. There were for instance students calling me Caruso, but I was just Vahan and remained Vahan till the end. Many things changed when the head of the chair Tamara Shahnazaryan started working with me. In general, I had two teachers Tamara Shahnazaryan and Jennaro Baran.
- Were you falling into despair in case of failures?
- It is quite difficult to break me, I am bull (I mean my constellation). I believe, I believe very much in God. Before performance when expensive cars I being sent to take me, I always refuse: I must go to theatre on foot. I even make my way a little longer, enter a park for few minutes, getting strength from the nature. Besides, before entering stage I must lit a candle in a church. I believe there is a force helping me which allows me to enter a stage and sing. I always say I would like to live as much as I can sing.
- Will you go to the National Academic Theatre April 27 on foot?
- I will try to be in nature for at least few minutes and go to church. It is important to transfer the warmth to the people. If I succeed I will feel the response. Till now I have succeeded in doing it.
- Who will be with you on the stage on that day?
- Many honorable artists, bands from Armenia and abroad will come to congratulate me.