LIBRARY NOTES
Actor Nora Armani and cellist David Bakamjian lead a cultural journey through the spirit of Armenia in the company of poets, composers, folk songs, and sacred chants. This presentation premiered to a sold-out audience in the Met Museum's Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium in 2007.
This combination of powerful spoken word (in English and Armenian) and haunting solo cello is highlighted by the story of the enchanted Dove Abbey by Hovhannes Toumanyan (widely considered Armenia's greatest poet); the music of Komitas and Alan Hovhaness, the sacred chants of Sharagans, the poignant legend of Akhtamar, among other pieces.
Actor Nora Armani has an international list of theatre and film credits. Her award-winning original performances have toured internationally in six languages to such venues as the Sydney Opera House, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Cairo Opera House, the Riverside Studios (London), La Cirée National Theatre in Marseilles and the Sundukyan National Theatre of Armenia. Her films include The Doors of Denis, Voisins Voisines, The New Eve, Last Station, Haifa, and Labyrinth, for which she won Armenia's Best Actress award. She holds undergraduate and masters degrees from the American University in Cairo and the University of London.
Cellist David Bakamjian performs regularly as a recitalist, chamber player, recording artist and as a member of several New York area ensembles. He has performed at New York's premiere concert halls, appeared several times on National Public Radio and WQXR (NY), and was a winner or finalist in four international chamber music competitions. He has appeared as soloist with the Allentown Symphony, Philharmonia Virtuosi, the Beijing Symphony, the Bachanalia Festival Orchestra, and the Lehigh University Symphony Orchestra. He performs with the American Symphony Orchestra and is principal cellist of the Berkshire Opera and the New York Grand Opera. Mr. Bakamjian is a founding member of Brooklyn Baroque (flute, cello and harpsichord) of critical acclaim by the American Record Guide. He also performs on baroque cello with Concert Royal, the American Classical Orchestra, Gotham Chamber Opera and the Long Island Baroque Ensemble.
This event is generously supported by the Estate of Marian O. Naumburg.
|