This evening marks the 40th anniversary of Vardan Hovanissian’s debut as a professional musician with the Armenian National Folk Music Ensemble. To celebrate this event, he has brought together an exceptional quintet of Armenian musicians for a unique concert: Arcadi Bogossian on the tar (long-necked lute), Narne Hakobyan on the kanoun (dulcimer), Yervand Hakobyan on the kamanche (spike fiddle) and Marat Jeremyan on the dhol (percussion).

Since discovering the duduk, thanks to his mentor Khachik Khachatryan, Vardan Hovanissian has become one of the most talented ambassadors of this ancient double-reed instrument, whose melancholic and warm tones are at the heart of Armenian music. He is also increasingly appreciated by audiences around the world.

Deeply rooted in traditional Armenian music, Vardan Hovanissian naturally weaves links with the music of neighbouring countries, such as Turkey and Syria, as well as with other European folk and jazz influences, notably Arax, in a duo with Emre Gültekin, Sephardic singer Yasmin Levy and Moroccan oud player Driss El Maloumi. Get ready for a surprising evening in the company of one of our country’s most impressive musicians.