Until recently, Susanna Chakhoian could be heard at the National Opera in Kyiv in operas such as “Rigoletto” or “La Bohème” – a few weeks ago she had to flee Ukraine with her husband Alfred Praus and their son Daniel (12). “Buildings are being bombed everywhere,” she says, “but the fate of the people who have to stay in the country or flee is even worse.” So her parents persevere in Odessa, her students at the Glière Music Academy are scattered all over Europe.
Chakhoian was lucky: Since her husband Alfred is from Austria, they were able to move to Vienna. “But all three of us are uprooted,” says Praus. “We spent 80 percent of the time in Ukraine. That’s where we are at home.” Now the couple is organizing benefit concerts: on June 17th there will be a performance for the Caritas-Ukrainehilfe in the music theater in Linz, in which Ukrainian and Austrian artists will perform together.
“Represent My Country”
Praus, who is President of the Ukrainian-Austrian Association, is helped with the organization by his good contacts: Shortly before his death, former Vice-Chancellor Erhard Busek put in a good word to Governor Thomas Stelzer.
The entrepreneur Praus came to Ukraine in the early 2000s to realize professional projects. At a social evening he met Susanna because she was the only one who spoke English: “I was his interpreter,” she says and laughs. He: “And I didn’t even know what she was really doing.” A great love was born, in 2010 they got married.
Chakhoian, whose parents were music school teachers, first studied piano until she was able to live out her love of singing: when she walked past an opera studio and heard a rehearsal of La Traviata, she was struck: “I stopped as if under hypnosis and knew it had to I make.” While still a student, Chakhoian was engaged at the National Opera: “My final exam was the premiere of Gounod’s ‘Romeo e Juliette’.” Now the opera in Kyiv has fallen silent – but not Susanna: “Now I want to represent my country here.”
benefit concert
On June 17, 7 p.m., Ukrainian and Austrian artists will perform together in the music theater: Susanna Chakhoian and Taras Shtonda (both National Opera Kyiv) will sing with Katherine Lerner (Landestheater Linz) works by Mozart, Puccini and Bellini, among others, Marc Reibel will conduct the Bruckner Orchestra. The proceeds go to the Ukraine aid of Caritas and Rotary Ukraine. Information and tickets (25 euros): landestheater-linz.at
Source: Nachrichten
