Culture

Sergey Smbatyan to Lead Concerts in Serbia

Sergey Smbatyan, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra for the 2024-2025 concert season, will take the stage in Serbia to lead the Vojvodina Symphony Orchestra. Smbatyan is set to perform at two renowned music festivals, "Bemus" and "Nomus," on October 24 and 26, 2024.

The concerts have been organized by the Center of Belgrade Festivals (CEBEF) and Almazian Productions, under the auspices of the Embassy of Armenia in Serbia. 

The performances will feature two iconic works: Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.

Renowned for his commitment to promoting classical music globally, Maestro Smbatyan brings his unique interpretation to these iconic works. Smbatyan is internationally recognized for his dedication to making classical music more accessible to audiences. Among his notable endeavors are collaborations with celebrated actor John Malkovich, as well as world-renowned composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Tigran Mansurian, Arvo Pärt, and Giya Kancheli. Smbatyan has conducted leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw, Dresden, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, and many others. 

Joining the orchestra as a soloist will be Eva Gevorgyan, a young and talented pianist of Armenian origin. At just 20 years old, Gevorgyan already boasts an impressive musical career. She has performed under the baton of around 70 conductors, including world-renowned masters such as Valery Gergiev, Vasily Petrenko, Vladimir Spivakov, Alexander Sladkovsky, Daniele Mariotti, Yuri Simonov, and Juraj Valčuha, among others. A laureate of numerous international competitions, Gevorgyan has captivated audiences with her emotional expressiveness and flawless technique, earning high praise from music critics worldwide.

The "Bemus" festival, founded in 1969, is one of the most prestigious and longest-standing festivals in Serbia and Southeastern Europe. Over the past decade, it has hosted some of the world's most renowned orchestras and soloists, including the New York Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic, as well as legendary artists like Zubin Mehta, Mischa Maisky, Maxim Vengerov, and many others. "Bemus" also serves as an important platform for young musicians, fostering their professional growth.

Similarly, the "Nomus" festival, now in its 49th edition, enjoys great recognition in the musical world. It consistently brings together top artists from around the globe, offering audiences exceptional classical music performances.