SAN FRANCISCO–The fund-raising effort to stage Dikran Tchukhadjian’s Arshak II Opera for the 2001-2002 season of the San Francisco Opera came to its conclusion with the announcement that the committee had raised the needed $1 million.
To mark this momentous occasion–the Arshak II committee organized a celebration Sunday at San Francisco’s William Saroyan Hall. The event was attended by more than 300 community members–benefactors and leaders.
The program began with prayers by Right Rev. Papken Tcharian and welcoming remarks by Araxie Saryan.
The guest of honor for the evening was the San Francisco Opera director Lotfi Mansouri. Also speaking at the event was Gerard Svazlian–who originated the concept of staging Arshak II at the San Francisco Opera.
In his remarks–Mansouri said that Arshak II was slated to begin its run on Sept. 8–2001 and production for the opera had already begun.
Both Mansouri and Svazlian received appreciation plaques from the committee.
The Master of Ceremonies was Denise La Pointe–who also introduced the cultural portion of the program.