Maestro Constantine Orbelian
BY SONA HAMALIAN
Constantine Orbelian has always set the bar high for himself. When he was still a preteen, the realization of being a piano prodigy had little chance of making him grow complacent. Instead it drove him to hour upon relentless hour of practice. That sense of discipline — the awareness, early on, that nothing, not even profuse talent, could be a substitute for hard work — has propelled Orbelian into stardom. Far more importantly, however, it has led him to endeavors where artistic virtuosity meets a vision of change: a vision of actually enriching people’s lives through music.
Orbelian’s latest such endeavor, as General and Artistic Director of the Yerevan Opera House, is not one thing but rather a dazzling ensemble of projects and programs, which have already begun taking center stage in Yerevan. In the foreground, they’re all about the year 2018, which marks the 85th anniversary of the Yerevan Opera House as well as the 150th anniversary of Armenian opera, which was founded with the operatic masterpiece Arshak II. Beyond these milestones, however, Orbelian’s vision this time around is about making the Yerevan Opera House shine anew — not just as an architectural gem and the beating heart of Armenian opera, but an institution that will actively, dynamically, relevantly, contribute to the ongoing evolution of Armenian culture as a whole.
Maestro Constantine Orbelian, Renee Fleming and the First Lady of the Republic of Armenia
How? First off, Orbelian is seeking to carry out a top-to-bottom renovation and modernization of the Yerevan Opera House. Two other, and parallel, initiatives he is pursing are a library and a museum that will be established inside the venerable landmark, on the second floor. And then there is the 2017-2018 season of the Yerevan Opera House, with a program that will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the institution and the 150th anniversary of Armenian opera. The new season, which kicked off on October 7 with the Armenia debut of world-renowned soprano Renee Fleming, will feature a string of wonderful performances, including a very special one, namely the world premiere of the original score of Arshak II.
“Constantine Orbelian stands astride two great societies, and finds and promotes synergistic harmony from the best of each,â€
