Boston's 60th Armenian night at the Pops to feature Hasmik Papian

by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Wednesday May 18, 2011

Hasmik Papian. Zaven Khachikyan

Nareh Arghamanyan, then 18 was the start of 2008 show.

Boston - Dr. Vrant Hagopian's passion for classical music and the Armenian performing arts has made him a somewhat inveterate follower.

Since 1952 when the Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS) began hosting Armenian Night at the Pops, he's never missed a concert.

Over that time, Dr. Hagopian has made the trip to Boston's Symphony Hall with members of his chronological family. There's also an added inducement. He's served on the planning committee and delights in seeing his efforts utilized on stage with some of the world's greatest musicians and conductors.

For him, it's been a welcoming release from his on-going medical practice and introduced his children to the best Armenian music possible.

"I've brought my children and now their children," he beams with pride. "I feel pleased that FACS has remained a staple throughout the Greater Boston Armenian community for six decades. Its success has been insurmountable."

From one table to two, the Hagopians occupy their seats with unadulterated pleasure, attend the reception that follows and get their friends and associates involved. To say he's a consummate practitioner in both medical and concert stage is putting it succinctly.

"When a child of 8 sits at my table and is exposed to music like this, it gives me tremendous joy," he says. "Hopefully, FACS will be around long enough for him to bring his own children. It's all about generations and we're serving numerous."

As the 60th season unfolds Saturday, June 25, with an appearance by world-renown soprano Hasmik Papian, members are hard at work tying up the loose ends for this milestone venue. Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart is getting his baton ready for what should prove another delightful encore for the group.

"He's really enamored by our music," said FACS President Ara Arakelian, who's been active with FACS the past 15 years. "He promotes our concerts and really gets into the spirit of the moment. He considers our music both profound and eclectic."

Papian has a rich biographical history since graduating from the Komitas Academy in Yerevan first as a violinist and then a singer. She made her debut with the Armenian National Opera as Rosina in "The Barber of Seville" and later as the angelic Mimi in "La Boheme," thus launching an international career.

Today she is regarded as one of the most successful lyrical-dramatic sopranos worldwide and making her FACS debut.

Those who might recall the appearance of contemporary Isabel Bayrakdarian might also connect with Papian whose resume is mirrored. Both bring a physical and vocal reputation to the stage with their renditions of everything from Puccini to Gomidas.

"Through music, we're conveying some of our proudest achievements to the world," added Arakelian. "It's also showcased our talent --- both rising and accomplished. We've hosted artists as young as 14 and have remained diversified in our approach. This being the 20th anniversary of the Independent Republic, we're trying to establish a bridge between Armenia Proper and the Cultural Diaspora."

The 2001 concert celebrating the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia remains an indelible moment with the group. That year FACS presented Rouben Gregorian's "Symphonic Armenian Mass" conducted by his son Leon Gregorian, who grew up in Watertown under his father's tutelage. That year, the Armenian Community sold out Symphony Hall.

Another recent highlight was the appearance of 18-year-old pianist Nareh Arghamanyan in 2008. It was at that concert where Lockhart announced she had just won the Montreal International Competition. She's since turned professional and performing this summer with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

Memories of the late Rouben Gregorian conjure up imagines of a local icon as a composer, performing artist and conductor of the Komitas Choral Society for many years.

"He would take people off the street, teach them music, then stage a concert and make stars out of them," Dr. Hagopian recalled. "He made beginners sound very, very good."

The list of FACS accomplishments is long and idyllic, thanks to the honorary board, directors, associates and thousands of patrons over these decades.

Joining Dr. Hagopian as a former president is Dr. Keran Chobanian, board president over many years. Both individuals are recognized for their indomitable and unflagging spirit with the organization.

FACS has done more than sponsor the Pops. Its goal of "enriching the Armenian cultural heritage" over the past 60 years has included a plethora of accomplishments.

For 36 consecutive years (1957-1993), they presented the Armenian Cultural Radio Program on Boston WCRB-FM, airing classical and folk music while broadcasting news of Armenian cultural events.

In 1969, a concert of sharagans at Jordan Hall commemorated President John F. Kennedy's untimely death --- a recording of which remains part of the archives in the JFK Library.

Other memorable musical events through the years follow:

--- The Boston premiere of "Come Creative Spirit" conducted by Rouben Gregorian with contralto Lili Chookasian and members of the Boston Symphony and choruses from the Boston Conservatory and Radcliffe Choral Society.

--- A program honoring the late composer Aram Khachaturian.

--- Jordan Hall recitals presenting kanonist Ara Sevanian, Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone Ara Berberian, and a Young Artists' Festival.

--- Programs of tribute to soprano Lucine Amara of the Metropolitan Opera Society, composer Alan Hovhaness, conductor Richard Yardumian, Arthur Fiedler, Rouben Gregorian, Keith Lockhart (1995), Harry Ellis Dickson (1996), Seiji Ozawa (1997), Dr. Elizabeth Gregory (1998), Helen Shushan (1999) and Lili Chookasian (2000).