Witness and Rebirth: An Armenian Journey, 1915 – 2015

The mesmerizing sounds of music will fill San Francisco’s iconic Palace of Fine Arts’ grand auditorium on April 26, at 5pm, as the internationally acclaimed Fresno Philharmonic and guest performers from around the globe present a very special concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of one of history’s darkest chapters, the Armenian Genocide.

The defining moment of Armenian history began on April 24, 1915 when hundreds of Armenian community leaders and scholars were deported and executed, leading to the Ottoman government’s systematic extermination of Armenians in their own historic homeland. The genocide was carried out during World War I, when more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed or deported.

The Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Northern California (AGCC) is made up of more than 50 northern California Armenian churches, cultural organizations, and youth organizations from around the Bay Area. Its creativity, hard work, and dedication are culminating in a number of special events, performances, and concerts which have been orchestrated for this heartwarming commemorative celebration as a tribute to the resiliency and relevance of Armenian people, art, and culture.

‘’Music heals the soul and is an explosive expression of humanity that has more profound impact than words alone,’’ says Centennial Organizing Committee member Alex Bastian. ‘’These concerts vibrantly embody that expression, showing the world that although we have suffered pain and loss, it continues to be a better place as a result of our significant contributions. We invite the Bay Area and the world to grieve and remember with us as we remember the Armenian Genocide and celebrate the endurance and joys of our living culture.’’

The commemorative concert at the Palace of Fine Arts, located at 3301 Lyon Street, will feature the world premiere of Cantata for Living Martyrs by Grammy-nominated Canadian pianist and composer Serouj Kradjian. His composition is based on poetic texts of eyewitness testimonies and traces a nation’s vibrant life interrupted by immense cruelty.

The evening’s repertoire, under the artistic baton of Maestro Theodore Kuchar, who shares his duties as the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic, the Janacek Philharmonic in the Czech Republic and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Venezuela, will also include Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto and choral works by Komitas and Yekmalina. Guest artists include Catherine Manoukian, violin; Isabel Bayrakdarian, mezzo-soprano; Eugene Brancoveanu, baritone; as well as the Fresno Master Chorale and Fresno State Concert Choir directed by Anna Hamre. Tickets may be purchased at City Box Office at www.cityboxoffice.com.

As the world celebrates some of the great arts and cultures of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) currently on view in San Francisco, it is fitting that this commemorative concert is performed in the last remaining major structure from the 1915 exposition– the Palace of Fine Arts.

Visit www.rememberanddemand.org for information on a number of additional unique performing arts events, including the free concert on April 21 at 5pm in Union Square, featuring MTV and Grammy award-winning artist Sebu and Anna & Anais Duo. Get inspired by the spontaneous visual artist Kevork Mourad, who will ‘’paint’’ the concert as it happens. The April 24 dance performance by the dynamic Arax Dance Company will reflect the beauty and the grace of Armenian folklore.

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, not the best of ‘‘balabostas’’ her beloved beautiful Mom, Dina, was hoping for. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out.

By Lina Broydo