Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian Launches East Coast, Canada Tour
Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian will perform an innovative program at her upcoming concerts in New York City this November. The show, titled Ancestral Songs, Prayers and Lullabies, explores a tradition started by Gomidas and carried on by his students Parsegh Ganatchian and Mihran Toumajan.
Interview with Isabel Bayrakdarian
In a conversation with Lisa Terrizzi of the Friends of Armenian Cultural Society, who is organizing the Boston performance, Bayrakdarian reflected on her journey from singing in a choir to becoming a globally acclaimed artist focused on Armenian musical heritage.
Early Musical Influences
Lisa Terrizzi: "Did you grow up in a musical household, and what drew you specifically to voice?"
Isabel Bayrakdarian: "My first love was, and continues to be, Armenian sacred music. Singing and discovering our beautiful and ancient hymns has been a path forward, inward and upward, making for a uniquely personal journey. I grew up playing the piano and singing in our Armenian church choir in Lebanon. The only reason I wanted to take voice lessons, in my late teens in Canada, was to communicate freely with God through fearless singing that comes with a solid technique."
Focus of Upcoming Program
- Program titled Ancestral Songs, Prayers and Lullabies
- Draws from Armenian musical traditions founded by Gomidas
- Continued by notable students like Parsegh Ganatchian and Mihran Toumajan
Bayrakdarian aims to deepen public appreciation for Armenian musical treasures through her performances and research.
Summary: Isabel Bayrakdarian’s tour highlights her dedication to preserving and promoting Armenian sacred music, blending personal heritage with artistic innovation.