St. Vartan Cathedral’s sanctuary was filled to capacity with an appreciative audience on Friday, December 19, as the Eastern Diocese presented its annual concert of soaring seasonal music, “Christmas at the Cathedral.”
An uplifting program—alternated between modern and traditional styles, and Armenian and European selections—immersed listeners in the joy and beauty of the season of Christ’s birth.
Hasmik Mekanejian directed the chorus of voices of the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, with featured performances by a roster of splendid soloists; students from the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School; and organist Dn. Ari Terjanian.
Young students of the St. Vartan Cathedral Sunday School added their delightful talents to the evening. Violinist Nune Melikian and Maestro Konstantin Petrossian also grace the evening with their artistry.
This was the first Christmas concert since the passing of the cathedral’s longtime music director Maestro Khoren Mekanejian—but his spirit was poignantly present through Maestro’s compositions, notably “Avedis” from his Christmas Oratorio, and his powerful hymn “Krisdos Dzunav.”
Amazing Artists
The concert featured spectacular vocal performances by sopranos Anahit Zakaryan, Anoosh Barclay, Hasmik Asatryan, Maria Sahakian, Zovinar Aghavian, Stephanie Keledjian, Eva Papazian, Angela Grigoryan, and Heghine Mirzoyan; altos Alvard Mayilyan, Maro Partamian, AddieRose Brown, and Jbid Lyons; tenors Ethan Fran, Ergys Mita, and Kevin Ray; and baritone/basses Vagharshak Ohanyan and Christopher Nazarian.
A string quartet composed of Angelina Tozlian and Junyi Yuan on violin, Hanna Tytarenko on viola, and Jilun Wang on cello, gracefully enriched several of the evening’s selections.
The young voices of the St. Vartan Cathedral Sunday School included Angela Adamites, Davit Akopov, Ophelia Akopov, David Asatrian, Maria Andreasyan, Anna-Eva Couzian, Elina Couzian, Karine Dolinyan, Vahe Dolinyan, Maria Gabriel, Arianna Karaeva, Milania Karaeva, Hakob Karamyan, Raffi Karamyan, Anthony Kostanian, Robert Kostanian, Arpi Kotanjian, Lucy Kotanjian, Sofia Manukyan, Graydon Mitchel, Sebastian Mitchel, and Ella Papazian.
The Hope of the Nativity
Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan offered his own reflections at the conclusion of the concert.
“For many years now, we have gathered in St. Vartan Cathedral to celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth through this splendid Christmas concert,” he said. “Music and children have such a great significance during this season—and bringing them together in the warm embrace of our church is the ideal reminder of the beauty and hope of the Nativity.”
He thanked the audience and artists; the benefactors and committee members who made the concert possible; and cathedral vicar Fr. Davit Karamyan and conductor Hasmik Mekanejian for assembling such a meaningful program.
“Christmas at the Cathedral” went forward under the generous benefaction of the Dadourian Foundation; Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian; Ida Tjeknavorian; and the Rakoubian Family. The organizing committee included Fr. Davit Karamyan, Yn. Alla Karamyan, Hasmik Mekanejian, Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian, Nayda Voskerijian, and Elizabeth Akian.
Click the following link to view an extensive gallery of concert photos by photographer Harout Barsoumian.