The Knar orchestra in Kumkapı, 1910

The photograph shows the Armenian philharmonic orchestra “Knar” from the Kumkapı district of Constantinople. It was taken on 1 August 1910.

At the beginning of the 20th century Armenian musical groups were actively forming in the Ottoman Empire and, until the Armenian Genocide, contributed to the development of Western Armenian musical culture. This orchestra is considered part of the rich musical heritage that led to the founding of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Yerevan in 1925.

More than thirty musicians in uniforms and caps are arranged in several rows, with brass instruments, clarinets and drums. Behind them are carpets and a banner inscribed in Armenian “Knar Music-Lovers’ Society”. The English caption below gives the society’s name, the date 1 August 1910 and Kumkapı.