Conductor and ambassador are arrested on fraud charges
NewsThe general prosecutor of Armenia has ordered the arrest of the country’s most prominent conductor, along with his father, a former ambassador.
Sergey Smbatyan, artistic director, and chief conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, is being held with his father Armen, a former ambassador to Israel, in connection with an alleged real-estate fraud involving land belonging to the Tchaikovsky Music School in the capital, Yerevan.
It is alleged that the father acted as cover for the son’s business ambitions.
Sergey Smbatyan, trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London, is also principal conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
More details here
UPDATE: We have received this clarification from the Malta Philharmonic:
Maestro Smbatyan was appointed as Principal Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) on the 1 January 2022.
Without entering into the merits of the case, and without any prejudice to anything or anyone, the MPO is suspending its working relationship with Maestro Smbatyan with immediate effect.
The MPO is following the case very closely to ascertain the facts. A final decision in respect of this case will be taken once the relevant facts and circumstances are ascertained.
Christopher Muscat
Acting CEO
Surprise, surprise!
The Malta Phil can now boast of one official sentenced for sexual harassement, one CEO arrested and on trial for attempted tampering of evidence and a music director arrested for fraud.
So sorry to hear this.
I’m sure Armen’s friends in Moscow will take care of the case. Don’t be surprised if a random musician or official gets hit by car or …. In the next few days.
Sergey is a nice person and an OK conductor and of course his dad has done his best to boost son’s career. Even though they do some shady business around Europe they have helped the music of Armenia quite a lot and fed so many young musicians with establishing the National Youth Orchestra of Armenia (later changed name to Armenian State Symphony).
Time to start investigating Richard Wagner Conservatory, The Guarneri foundation & … Talk to Alexey Shor for more info (Their second favorite composer).
If Armenian gov is really interested they can start a case on the building behind the Yerevan Conservatory (3 Byron st.). Armen and family of Henrik Smbatyan (RIP) can explain about that one in court.
Keep in mind, this play is not about Sergey…
You left out Konstantin Ishkhanov. A lapse, one hopes…
Who is Konstantin Ishkhanov?
https://chieticlassica.com/about-us/konstantin-ishkhanov.html
Will this do?
A ‘Maltese Citizen’ who launders considerable amounts through classical music.
Maybe this latest father-and-son scandal will bump the Bidens to the side.
HOMOPHOBIA, HARASSMENT, RUSSIAN LINKS…ALL IN THE MALTA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Did the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra suspend this board member after his homophobic comments towards a Green Politican (he is asking Dr Cassola to find to Greece and find a Greek to take care of him)?
Before you work in an orchestra in what is marketed as a lovely, sunny, idyllic place, check out the country well before. Don’t make the mistake that many do!
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=863184785242722&set=a.372885420939330
https://slippedisc.com/2020/10/orchestra-is-cleared-to-take-money-from-dodgy-russians/
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-philharmonic-orchestra-ceo-defends-russian-backer-saying-hes.940959
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/orchestra-official-guilty-sexual-harassment-sentence-reduced-appeal.1031666
Correction:
(he is asking Dr Cassola to go to Greece and find a Greek to take care of him)
There are a few musicians who have seen a meteoric rise in these last. One of them was Alexey Shor who did a lot of work in Malta. He has been played by some of the world’s best orchestras and musicians.
Don’t these orchestra and musicians feel about daft? If they can’t tell between good and bad music then they have no right to be in the music profession. Or is making money their main goal?
Alexey Shor’s “Oboe concerto in Bb” performed by Celine Moinet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDZKJ5iKwns
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/many-passports-and-alias-mystery-orchestra-composer.1014534
Be very careful before working with this orchestra!
After allegedly covering up sexual harassment, Sigmund Mifsud, the ex CEO of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra now works for an estate agent!
https://newsbook.com.mt/en/sigmund-mifsud-urged-top-officials-to-talk-victim-out-of-sexual-harassment/
https://newsbook.com.mt/en/sigmund-mifsud-urged-top-officials-to-talk-victim-out-of-sexual-harassment/