THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES AND THE FOUNDATION OF H.R.H. PRINCESS KATHERINE IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AUSTRIAN EMBASSY HOSTED A CHARITY CONCERT AT THE WHITE PALACE

Belgrade, 07.10.2004 - H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II and Princess Katherine, in association with the Austrian Embassy, have hosted tonight a charity concert at the White Palace. The opera diva from Austria Sona Ghazaian and the students from the Belgrade Ballet School “Lujo Davico” have taken part in the program. The proceeds from this concert will go towards the Ballet School “Luji Davico” and also towards the children in orphanages.

At the beginning of the event H.R.H Crown Prince Alexander II has addressed the guests. He has stressed that The Foundation of H.R.H. Princess Katherine is daily making efforts to collect a humanitarian relief for those ones in need, and he added: “It makes me very happy to see that there are many people of good will ready to help our young generations, giving them an opportunity for joy and laughter” - said in his speech the Crown Prince.

H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Austria Mr Hannes Porias then addressed the guests. He said he was delighted to be able to help a culture and the children; he greeted all bighearted people who are taking part in such marvelous actions and expressed hope that many similar actions will take place in future.

Sonia Ghazarian has chosen for her tonight’s recital at the White Palace arias from Mozart, Puccini, Catalani, Delibera, Lechart. The audience listen with great pleasure the concert and with huge applause awarded her magnificent performance. In the second half of the program ballet dancers from the school “Lujo Davico” have taken by surprise all guests by performing “The Flower Waltz” - a part of the well-known ballet “The Nutcracker”. In this manner children have tried to say thank you to all who had been thinking both of them and of the children deprived of the parental love.

Sona Scoff Ghazarian is of the Armenian origin, she was born in Beirut where her piano studies took place. She studied psychology at the American University, and also singing at the National Conservatory of Beirut. She took master classes in Italy. She was a prize-winner of international competitions in singing in The Netherlands and Vienna. These awards had opened her way to the prestigious music scenes all over the world. She worked with most famous conductors; she performed soprano recitals at the Vienna Opera, and all important opera-houses worldwide, took part in a great number of television productions. She also has a career of a pedagogue. She is a regular guest of the Salzburg Festival and of the music festivals in Bregenz and Edinburgh.

A great number of participants in this humanitarian action have enabled the organisers to collect funds for the most needed costumes for young ballet dancers, and also to give eventually the children in orphanages the opportunity to grow up with sounds of music.