Today in the morning the chorus performed at Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. The next performances are expected at YSU, Komitas Chamber Music Hall and the House of Culture of Ijevan.

After today’s performance at Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex member of the chorus Sylvie Gefen told us that she is for the first time in Armenia: “We have come here to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.”

The concert program includes works of classical and spiritual music by Armenian and foreign composers.

Chorus Charlotte from Tel Aviv was created by Eli Gefen in 1990.

It is like a symbol of the hopes and values of those who crave peace and friendship. Also known as the Tel Aviv Chorus of Eli Gefen, the ensemble has gained a significant reputation due to its wide repertoire, consisting of secular and religious works.

They perform in the most famous concert halls in Israel. Abroad, they have already performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London in the presence of the princess (Britten: military requiem); Westminster Abbey (a ceremony of sacred songs in Hebrew); Festival in Covent Garden (Rossini: Moses from Egypt), as well as at the leading choral festivals in Europe - Malta, Madrid, Zaragoza, Borja, Prague, Rome and Lisbon. They have performed in the legendary palace of the Alcazar of Seville, also in San Juan de Dios of Granada (2007), as well as in Vienna.

Their performance has been attended by the US ambassador in Israel (2007). They have also given concerts in Jerusalem together with the Orchestra of Physicians from Hamburg (May 2008). The Cardinal of Vienna invited the Ensemble to Vienna in November 2008, where they dedicated the concerts “70 Years After Kristallnacht”, followed by “the sacred song ceremony” in Bratislava at the University of Comenius, where the rector awarded conductor Ali Gefen with the medal “Proclamation of a united Europe - the celebration of the Bell”. Special tours were given for the evangelical community of Hungary, as well as for Jewish communities in all three cities.

The chorus has performed in outstanding places throughout 2012/16; Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Tel Aviv University, an association of Israeli journalists - a celebration of Daniel Pearl; 150th anniversary of the Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem in the presence of Karl von Habsburg, prince of the emperor and archduke of Austria and members of his family; Association of Veterans with Disabilities, Centenary of the Armenian Genocide in the Church of St. Gregory in Jerusalem; Club of lions; Museum of the Diaspora in Tel Aviv University; Center of Music Blumenthal, Tel Aviv, etc.

Israeli choral conductor Eli Gefen was born in Bratislava. He studied violin at the accompanist of the Vienna State Opera and choral conducting under the direction of Gary Bettini and Simon Halsey. Gefen was a soloist (baritone) in Israel’s leading choir and bassoonist of the Israeli chamber orchestra. As the chief conductor and music director of the youth orchestra of kibbutz and choirs, he received a first-class award at several competitions.

The activities of the chorus in Armenia are coordinated by YSU Cultural Centre.

To watch the episode from the performance of the chorus at Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, please, click here.