HAVERTOWN, Penn. — On October 6, Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church of Havertown hosted the Inter-Communal Committee’s October cultural program. This year, the Committee invited cellist David Bakamjian and actor Nora Armani to present “Evocations of Armenia,” a program co-created by the two for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2008.
During the hour-long performance, voice and cello, in turn and together, captivated the nearly 100 people in the audience with various examples of Armenian musical and literary heritage. Ancient chants and secular songs were interspersed with the music of Komitas (in recognition of the 150th anniversary of his birth) and 20th-century composer Alan Hovhaness, whose works challenge the virtuosity of any musician. Bakamjian performed these with sensitivity and skill, giving rich context and beauty to the stories and poetry that Nora Armani shared throughout the program.
Bakamjian is a performer and dedicated teacher based in New York. He has recorded on classical and baroque cello, has performed as soloist and principal for various orchestras and offers chamber music workshops for adult amateurs.
Armani is a published poet, playwright and filmmaker. She divides her time between New York and Paris.
