Vahgan Gasparyan

Summer Rhapsody in Providence Features Local Talents

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — On June 30, 2017, the Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church Cultural Committee hosted Summer Rhapsody, a variety of Armenian and American song and dance. The performance included Jasmin Atabekyan and the Gasparyan Family Quartet (from Greece), Janette Khalarian, and the Nazeli Dance Group of Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church.

Originating from Greece, The Gasparyan Family Quartet consists of Emily Gasparyan (violin), Daniel Gasparyan (violin), Vahgan Gasparyan (guitar), and Jasmin Atabekyan-Gasparyan (piano). Violinists Emily Gasparyan and Daniel Gasparyan are young talents at the ages of 15 and 16, respectively. Each has received numerous awards and recognition for their talents. Guitarist Vahgan Gasparyan, with master’s degree in guitar performance, has additionally appeared as a solo guitarist at many concerts and festivals in Armenia and Greece and the US. Pianist Jasmin Atabekyan-Gasparyan, PhD in piano performance, is an accomplished musician and is the winner of France’s prestigious Pierre Lantier- Ober Piano Competition, Aram Khachaturian Competition in Yerevan, Armenia and several other international competitions. The quartet performed a variety of pieces from distinguished international composers such as Gomidas. They played pieces by Vivaldi, Piazolla, Babajanian, and other.

The second part of the program consisted of vocalist Janette Khalarian. Her repertoire consisted of popular and traditional Armenian folksongs. The audience was fond of her performance, even clapping along with the melody at times. Her vocal style was expressive and easy going, which created a fun atmosphere for the audience. The Nazeli Dance Groups of Saints Sahag and Mesrob Church accompanied Janette’s vocals with lively dance pieces, filling the auditorium with a feeling of nostalgia of being in an Armenian village celebrating our precious culture . Solo dance performances by Narine Lemme were also thoroughly enjoyed by all.

“Summer Rhapsody” was an enjoyable evening filled with nostalgic music, dancing, and intellectual stimulating experiences of music. Fr. Snork Souin closed the program with some parting words.

— Lisa Zaroogian

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