The Queen of Armenian Jazz, Elvina Makaryan, has been brought back to the stage in a powerful, emotionally resonant monodrama: “Elvina Makaryan: The Unperformed Concert.” Dedicated to the singer’s 75th anniversary, the play is a tribute not just to her incredible talent, but to her complex life and her unfulfilled dreams.
The production, directed by Artur Sahakyan, has found an unexpected resonance with audiences. Producer Aram Tokhatyan noted that while the creative team initially expected an older audience, they have been delighted to see that the younger generation is also deeply interested in Makaryan’s persona.
“They come to listen to Elvina’s songs but discover a complicated, profound, and impactful woman,” Tokhatyan stated. “The play is also a powerful message to our society: we often fail to appreciate our talented people during their lifetime. This performance is a delayed attempt at that unfulfilled appreciation…”
The plot centers around a mysterious dialogue with Makaryan’s mother, which opens up different phases of Elvina’s life, leading up to the fateful 2007 Yerevan concert at the Opera Theatre—a show that was canceled for undisclosed reasons. Tragically, the singer passed away just two months after the cancellation. Director Artur Sahakyan, who was set to direct the original concert, has now woven Makaryan’s actual voice messages about the anticipated performance into the play.
Embodying the role of Elvina Makaryan on stage is jazz singer Ilona Sagieva. According to those who have seen the performance, Sagieva isn’t just acting—she’s living the role.
Sagieva shared her deep connection to the role, acknowledging the immense joy and responsibility of portraying Makaryan, who she considers an “era, energy, and light.”
“I promised myself to do everything to represent her image with dignity. Her songs were part of my soul for a long time, but on stage, it wasn’t just about the music,” Sagieva explained. “I had to relive Elvina’s struggle, her pain, her disappointment.”
Sagieva felt an uncanny similarity to Makaryan in temperament, sincerity, and freedom, allowing her to channel the artist’s energy naturally. As a sign of this deep connection, Sagieva revealed that the director gifted her a small cross—a talisman that Elvina Makaryan herself had once given him—which she now wears during every performance.
The production is more than entertainment; it’s a heartfelt, powerful attempt to honor a legend whose light was not fully appreciated in her lifetime. As Sagieva notes, she is proud to be “her voice on stage,” ensuring Elvina Makaryan’s presence is once again awakened in the hearts of the people.
