LOS ANGELES, CA - The Saint James Armenian Apostolic Church of Los Angeles, CA was the site for Lucine Amara's Golden Jubilee Celebration on October 15, 2000. Sponsored by the parish council, a commemorative concert for the internationally acclaimed Metropolitan opera star was held in the church sanctuary, and she was the featured performer. It was a concert gala imbued with the spiritual aura of its setting, where virtuoso Amara treated the audience to numerous operatic and Armenian selections spanning fifty years of her distinguished career.

Committee chairman, Leon Partamian, greeted the audience, outlined the program and introduced the performers. The concert opened with a group of highly gifted, award-winning young musicians who, in honor of the occasion, performed solos in their respective categories.

Musical tributes began with Ani Bukujian, a petite violin virtuoso who rendered challenging selections from Khachaturian, Kreisler and Ravel, with ease and maturity far beyond her seven years. Classical guitarist Hovig Alahaidoyan delighted the audience with selections from Gomez, Tarrega, and Villa Lobos. Multiple award-winner, pianist Harout Senekeremian, concluded the first segment of the program with outstanding renditions of selections from Balakirev and Scriabin. The young performers charmed the audience and clearly demonstrated the inherent potential of their careers. Parish priest Father Arshag Khatchadourian expressed his delight and lauded the performers with lavish praise, encouraging them to excel in their God-given talents.

Following a brief intermission, Lucine Amara delighted the audience with a lofty "musical journey." For over an hour, Ms. Amara introduced each selection, explaining its relevance to her career and the sentiment attached to each as she performed. She exhibited the "celestial" vocal quality and strength of performance upon which her career is reputed, and graciously responded to numerous encore requests, interspersing them with reminiscent notes. Currently, Ms. Amara is the Artistic Director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera and continues to give "master classes" throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The concert closed as Father Arshag led the congregation with a choral rendition of "Hair Mer" (The Lord's Prayer), with Fred Carama's accompaniment at the organ.

Pianist Fred Carama accompanied Ms. Amara with the precision and skill as befits the occasion. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School of Music with a Master's degree in Piano and has served on the faculties of Cal Arts Institute and the Manhattan School of Music. Presently, Mr. Carama teaches privately and coaches for opera.

In addition to program preparations, the industrious committee members treated guests to a reception in John Gogian Hall after the concert, where they enjoyed a wide variety of desserts and had the opportunity to personally greet Lucine Amara.

The committee included Chairman Leon Partamian, Arpi Barsam, Lucille Bogosian, Alice Gondjian, Vickie Kalayjian, Kathleen Kurkjian, Robert Melcon, Barbara Nishanian, Jeanette Rakoobian, Janet Roberts, and Anne Vardanian. It was a celebration of the past, and the present as it continues with a bright look at the future and its existent talent.