KOHAR returns to Lebanon this week

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KOHAR Symphony Orchestra & Choir Chooses Lebanon for Its 2010 Concert Performance

KOHAR Symphony Orchestra & Choir prepares for final rehearsals for its distinctive orchestration and arrangements to perform in the enchanting atmosphere of the Roman Amphitheater in Zouk Mikael, located on a hill of Kesrouwan overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, on 24, 25 and 26 September 2010.

KOHAR was founded in 1997 as an independent musical and cultural institution by the patron of Armenian culture, Harout Khatchadourian of Lebanon, who along with his brothers, sustain the activities of KOHAR and all its concerts, with the aim to preserve the Armenian heritage for future generations. KOHAR was founded in memory of their father, Aram Khatchadourian, and as tribute to their mother, Kohar Khatchadourian. Consisting of over 150 performing artists, including 8 soloists and 15 dancers from Armenia,

KOHAR Symphony Orchestra & Choir has grown in popularity enthusing audiences both locally and internationally. The artistic director and conductor of KOHAR is Maestro Sebouh Apkarian of Cyprus, who has been at the helm of the orchestra since its inception.

KOHAR’s first major concert tour took place in 2002 in Cyprus and in Lebanon over a four-day period. More than 4,000 spectators enjoyed memorable and glorifying moments of nostalgia, pride and deep sentiment at BIEL, downtown Beirut, which was impressively transformed into a scenically magnificent setting, to host the culturally enriched repertoire of KOHAR’s traditional and popular songs.

Kohar concert video promo here www.youtube.com/watch?v=83NAlZEP9Hw

In 2005, more than 7,000 Armenians and visiting audiences enjoyed KOHAR’s All Time Armenian Favorites tour in Istanbul, Turkey, at Lutfi Kirdar, and were deeply moved by the nostalgic sentiments the Armenian songs, music and dance aroused in them.

KOHAR continued to triumph with a widely publicized appearance at the renowned State Kremlin Palace of Moscow, Russia, in 2006. Almost 12,000 spectators resounded the hall for two consecutive nights with applauses for KOHAR’s graceful flair and style, bolstering its captivating performance with patriotic and popular Armenian songs.

Following this successful grand appearance at the State Kremlin Palace, the internationally-acclaimed group made a grand tour in the USA and in Canada throughout the year 2007; the tour ended with a majestic performance at New York’s famous Carnegie Hall. KOHAR continued to captivate audiences of the western world mesmerizing them with the outstanding performances of the group.

KOHAR’s most recent appearance was in Syria, last summer, at The Opera Theater in Damascus and at the Citadel Amphitheater in Aleppo, where audiences from Syria and the surrounding countries were accompanied by the musical cascading sounds through the ancient city ruins and the amphitheater, to the colorful lands less explored of light and movement.

KOHAR is renowned for its masterful multi-feature DVD & CD recordings of All Time Armenian Favorite bilingual Armenian and English, which contains songs and dances, outstandingly performed and a magnificent visual and symphonic performance that include subtitles of the lyrics in Armenian and the transliterated option.

KOHAR has succeeded in incorporating the Armenian traditional instruments in its Symphonic setting such as the Doudoug, Kanon and Dehol that give more of a traditional Armenian essence to the Orchestra’s rendition, exemplifying the resounding history and spirit of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, which has taught us to preserve in us the love of music and culture for centuries.

KOHAR’s ultimate aim is to revive and promulgate the Armenian alphabet by positioning the capacity of Armenian music to reach out stylistically, while retaining its rich creative identity.

KOHAR’s performances in Lebanon include a new repertoire of classical, patriotic, pop, jazz fusion and popular music all rendered to its unique presentation. The performances will be featured in a castle-like setting that will capture the hearts and minds of the audiences, taking them back to their ancient roots that once was home to the Armenians from the Cilician shores of the Mediterranean.