Sevak Avanesyan is one of the most compelling cellists of his generation, lauded by János Starker and Bernard Greenhouse for his extraordinary virtuosity. Born in Armenia into a musical family, he studied under Medea Abrahamyan before graduating with highest distinction from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and further refining his artistry at Berlin’s Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler”. His career has taken him to the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. From 2013 to 2017, he served as Solo Cellist of the National Orchestra of Belgium, collaborating with renowned conductors and chamber partners such as Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin.
A dedicated cultural ambassador, Sevak is the Artistic Director of the Kapan International Music Festival. In 2020, his performance of Komitas’ Krunk in the bombed Ghazanchetsots Cathedral became a global symbol of resilience. His latest project, BLACK, explores memory through the works of Bach, Ligeti, and Armenian repertoire. Sevak performs on a 1689 Matteo Goffriller cello, graciously entrusted to him by his mentor, Mischa Maisky.