Bridging differences through music
Beirut-born conductor George Pehlivanian working on concert with Israeli Opera, says 'Israel is like second home to me'
Beirut-born conductor George Pehlivanian's first concert in Israel was under particularly traumatic circumstances. The day of the premiere was also the day Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Center was hit by a devastating terrorist attack in 1996. In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Pehlivanian says he had to urge the distraught orchestra members to go on with the show.
Pehlivanian also insisted on performing in Israel during the Gulf War and the Second Lebanon War. He says that he felt that every time he visited Israel, something bad had happened and that it was the orchestra's job to change the somber atmosphere.
He visits the Tel Aviv Opera House once a year in addition to conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Pehlivanian says Israel is like a second home to him. His last trip to Israel was kept quiet, due to a planned visit to Beirut after 35 years of absence. There, he was followed by a camera crew making a documentary of his life.
When asked about a future visit to Israel, Pehlivanian says he currently has no plans to visit the country but notes he would like to conduct the Beirut Philharmonic Orchestra.
Addressing the ongoing phenomena of women's exclusion in Israel, Pehlivanian says he has great respect for religion and its values, but notes that he remembers reading about women singing and dancing in the bible. Classical music does not differentiate between men and women, he adds.
