By Shirley Ventrone
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — On Saturday, June 16, the Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, presented a concert honoring Garo Nichanian. Lisa Zaroogian was the mistress of ceremonies for the evening.
Nichanian is an accomplished bass-baritone who has been singing for more than 40 years. He engaged the audience and drew them into his performance. Due to his endeavors to bring Armenian music to Canada, Nichanian was considered the cultural bridge between Canada and Armenia. In 1998, Nichanian received the St. Nerses Shenorhali Medal from Catholicos, Karekin I, the supreme patriarch of all Armenians. At the end of the evening Nichanian thanked everyone who has inspired and encouraged him. One of those people is composer and conductor Konstantin Petrossian.
Janette Khalarian has received many accolades for her performances in the United States and in Yerevan. Khalarian’s CD, “Noritz Kez Hed,” was nominated in the Best Pop Retro category at the Armenian Music Awards. She sang both with Nichanian as well as the Nazeli Dance Group.
David Griego performed Four Songs by Komitas. The lilting melodies were so beautiful. Although the melodies were familiar and lovely in their own right, they seemed to be enhanced by the flute. Griego also teaches flute in the Arts Education Program.
