the historical accounts of King Arsaces II, written by the classical Armenian historians Movses Khorenatsi and Pavstos Buzand
Commissioned by San Francisco Opera
Creative/Crew
Conductor
Production
Set Designer(s)
Costume Designer(s)
Lighting Designer
Chorus Director
Choreographer
Musical Preparation
Prompter
Supertitles
Assistant Stage Director(s)
Stage Manager(s)
Fight Director
Cast
Arsace (Arshak II), King of Armenia
Vartan, Arsace's Guardsman
Paransema, Princess of the House of Sunik, wife of Knel
Knel, Prince of the House of Sunik, brother of Arsace, husband of Paransema
Valinace, Prince of the House of Sunik, Commander in Chief of the Armenian army
Olimpia, Queen of Armenia, Daughter of the Emperor of Byzantium
Nerses, Catholicos of Armenia
Polisena
Ghost of King Diran (Arsace's father)
Ghost of Arsace and Olimpia's child
Show Dates
Time and Place
365; the city of Armavir in Armenia
Scenes
Media
Sponsors
The performance of September 8th is designated in honor of Friends of "Arshak II": George & Flora Dunaians, Hirair & Anna Hovnanian, Louise Manoogian Simone, and Roger A. Strauch & Dr. Julie Kulhanjian,
(see also Notes)
Acknowledgements
This new production is sponsored, in part, by the Friends of "Arshak II" and by George and Flora Dunaians, Hirair and Anna Hovnanian, Louise Manoogian Simone, Roger A. Strauch and Dr. Julie Kulhanjian. The production is also sponsored, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Publication of the performing edition is sponsored by the "Satenik G. Tchaker Fund" of the Armenian General Benevolent Union of Cairo, Egypt, in coordination with the Tigran Chukhadjian Research Center, Paris, France.
Notes
WORLD PREMIERE
Commissioned by San Francisco Opera
---------------------
World Premiere (complete original version)
Performing edition by Haig Avakian and Gerald Papasian
The originally scheduled performance of September 11th was moved to the evening of September 16th.
(Note to posterity: The Opera House was closed on September 11th in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US by al-Qaeda.)
Scenery, props, costumes and wigs constructed in the San Francisco Opera workshops
Oriental rugs courtesy of Joseph & Araxi Bezdjian, Simonian Rugs, San Mateo
"Arshak II" Cultural Advisory Committee
Kevork Bardakjian, Professor of Armenian Studies, University of Michigan
Richard G. Hovannisian, Professor of Armenian and Near Eastern Hostory, University of California, Los Angeles
Dikran Kouymjian, Professor of Armenian Studies, California State University, Fresno
Lucy Der Manuelian, Professor of Armenian Art and Architecture, Tufts University
James R. Russell, Professor of Armenian Studies, Harvard University
"Arshak II" Opera Committee
Suzanne Abnous, Edward & Eleanore Aslanian, David Balabanian, Beth Broussalian, George & Flora Dunaians, Shavarsh & Lala Hazarabedian, Laurel Karabian,Julie Kulhanjian, Co-Chair, Denise M. LaPointe, Co-Chair, Roxanne Makasdjian, Sylvia Melikian,Teni Melodonian, John Poochigian, Carol Rustigian, Araxie Sarian, Gigi Dunaians Young
San Francisco Opera celebrates the extraordinary life of an outstanding friend of the Opera by dedicating the 2001-2002 season to the memory of William R. Hewlett, May 20, 1913--January 12, 2001.
San Francisco Opera recognizes the following individuals, whose participation in our Triple Circles campaign will be completed this year. These contributors demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the Opera. We are grateful for their outstanding support of this campaign, which was instituted to assist San Francisco Opera suring a period of important growth.
Greer & Veronica Arthur, Mrs. Peter Black, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. James P. Butler,
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Bryan, The Corrigan-Walla Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Reid W. Dennis, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Dolby,
Mr. & Mrs. Myron DuBain, Fred & Peggy Furth, John A. Gunn & Cynthia Fry Gunn, Michael A. Harrison & Susan Graham Harrison,
John and Sara Hendrickson, John Hutchinson, Mr. & Mrs. C. Bradford Jeffries, Mr. & Mrs. Howard H. Leach,
Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Wattis Littlefield, G.H.C. Meyer Family Foundation, Karl O. & Kristen M. Mills, Mrs. George Otto,
Mr. And Mrs. Harry Wetzel, Mr. & Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, Thomas F. & Barba