Lévon Minassian Biography: Ethnicity, Song, Albums, Collaborations, Awards, Net Worth, Age, Wife

Lévon Minassian is a highly esteemed French-Armenian musician who achieved international recognition as a master of the duduk, a traditional Armenian woodwind instrument.

He became widely known when he was contacted by Peter Gabriel to contribute his instrument’s unique and melancholic sound to the 1988 film score The Last Temptation of Christ and the subsequent album Passion.

This major collaboration, followed by his work on Gabriel’s album Us and the Secret World Live tour, introduced the distinctive sound of the duduk to a vast global audience, establishing Minassian as the instrument’s leading global ambassador.

His professional work also includes extensive contributions to film soundtracks and numerous collaborations with diverse international artists.

Profile

• Full names: Lévon Minassian
• Date of birth: 1958
• Age: 68 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Marseille, France (Saint-Jérôme district)
• Nationality: French, Armenian
• Profession: Musician (duduk player), composer
• Parents: Iskouhi Minas and Zhan Minasyan
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Armenian
• Net worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Lévon Minassian, who is now at the age of 67, was born in 1958 in the Saint-Jérôme district of Marseille, France, where his family found refuge. He grew up in an environment where Armenian culture and music were an integral part of life.

He began his musical path by playing the mandolin in a local folk group. His interest in the duduk began in his teenage years after his parents brought one back from Armenia. Learning to play the duduk was a challenge as the traditional knowledge was closely guarded.

Minassian pursued his education in the art of the duduk through persistent self-practice and by traveling to Armenia multiple times in the late 1970s to receive instruction from renowned masters like Djivan Gasparian and Valodia Haroutiounian.

Personal Life

Information regarding Lévon Minassian’s personal life, including details about a spouse, children, or any relationships, is not publicly disclosed. He maintains a private personal life away from the spotlight, focusing primarily on his musical career and cultural contributions.

Career

Lévon Minassian’s career is defined by his dedication to the duduk and his efforts to bring Armenian music to a global audience. His work with Peter Gabriel on the Passion soundtrack and the albums Us and Secret World Live established his international standing.

He has collaborated with a wide array of prominent musicians, including Charles Aznavour, Sting, Hélène Ségara, and Armand Amar.

Minassian has also lent his musical talents to various film scores. His duduk performances can be heard in films such as Mayrig, The Passion of the Christ, Gladiator, Syriana, Zero Dark Thirty, and Inch’Allah.

He has released several solo albums that blend traditional Armenian melodies with world music, jazz, and classical influences, including The Doudouk – Beyond Borders, Songs From a World Apart, and Sources.

Awards

• Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres), awarded by the French president in 2003

Net Worth

Lévon Minassian’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million to $5 million. This estimation is based on his extensive career as an internationally recognized musician, the sales of his solo albums, his contributions to numerous high-grossing film soundtracks, and income from international tours and performances.

Social Media

• N/A

Filmography

• Mayrig (1991)
• 588, rue Paradis (1992)
• Giorgino (1994)
• The Passion of the Christ (2004)
• Bab’Aziz: The Prince That Contemplated His Soul (2005)
• Home (2009)
• Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
• Inch’Allah (2012)
• Innan vintern kommer (2018)

Discography

• The Doudouk – Beyond Borders (1998)
• Songs From a World Apart (2006, with Armand Amar)
• Sources (2016)