The first event of the traditional monthly Encounters with Art series of Cafesjian Center for the Arts this year will be dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of proclaimed British composer Benjamin Britten.

As reported by the Center’s press service to “ArmenPress”, during the event, President of the Union of Composers Aram Satyan will talk about Benjamin Britten’s visit to Armenia in 1965, after which the group of soloists of the “Zvartnots Rebirth” Foundation will perform the works of Britten.

The event will end with the screening of famous British film director Tony Palmer’s film A Time There Was… (1973). The film is about the great composer and has won the reputable Italian Prix Italia Award.

Some parts of the film include scenes showing the composer’s rehearsals and an interview with great American composer, conductor Leonard Bernstein, who talks about the genius of Britten and “his pain to not come to grips with the world”. The film will be shown in English with Russian subtitles.

Benjamin Britten (1913-76) was an English composer, conductor and pianist. He was one of the central figures of 20^th century British classical music with a range of works including operas, other vocal music, as well as orchestral and chamber pieces. Among Britten’s famous works are the opera Peter Grimes, the War Requiem and the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.

The Feb. 13 event is organized by the Cafesjian Center for the Arts and the British Council of Armenia. The Encounters with Art series of events was launched at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in October 2010. The monthly events are dedicated to Armenian and foreign artists and major cultural events.

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