The administration of the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, after a long struggle, will finally be provided with a new Germany-produced Steinway grand piano, which would give world-famous grand piano players an opportunity to have concerts in Armenia from September 19.

The grand piano costs 62 million drams ($170,000); the Ministry of Culture of Armenia has allotted the money.

“We had one grand piano, inherited in very poor condition in the 1980s. That is why many outstanding world-famous musicians refused to come to Armenia and have concerts here,” Edward Topchyan, chief conductor and Art Director of the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, stated summing up the creative works done during the year on Thursday.

Even though the orchestra was deprived of nine tours in European countries, planned for 2009-2010 because of the global economic crisis, but it had 43 local programs, among them the concerts with famous rock musician Ian Gillan, as well as the Eugene Onegin opera, which concluded this year. The stage director and artist of the opera is well-known film and stage director Vigen Chaldranyan.

Cooperation with him will continue. If financed, opera Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi will be staged to mark Chaldranyan’s 55th birthday anniversary in December.

In November, this year, the orchestra will leave also for the Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia on concert tours.