By Charles DreKazarian
WORCESTER, Mass. — The Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale presented its 11th Annual Gala Concert and Dinner on Sunday, September 18, in the Cultural Center of the Armenian Church Of Our Saviour. The chorale is under the direction of Konstantin Petrossian.
Following an Armenian dinner, city proclamations from Worcester Mayor Joseph C. O’Brien were presented by City Councilor Joseph Petty, declaring “Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale Day” in honor of the occasion to Petrossian, Rev. Aved Terzian of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour and Rev. Dr. Khatachadour Boghossian of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. Both churches have been co-sponsors of the event since 2000.
The concert was dedicated to the 20th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s independence and many of the musical selections celebrated the glory and beauty of Armenia. Featured were the Arevig Children’s Chorus and Dance Group with choreography by Alin Sarkisian and Ani Yaghmourian who also performed several dances. Guest soloists included Janet Khalarian, soprano, and Gohar Manjelikian, mezzo-soprano. Karine Avanesov was the chorale’s piano accompanist with Mark Donabedian on the dumbeg.
In view of the fact that the concert was one week after the 10th anniversary of September 11, a special performance of America The Beautiful was sung in memory of the victims of that tragic day. The finale, Erebuni-Yerevan, was sung jointly by the Chorale, the Children’s Chorus and the two soloists and resulted in a standing ovation from the audience, which appreciated the performances, which were a tribute to the cultural legacy and spirit of the Armenian people.
