Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian Launches East Coast Tour
NEW YORK — Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian begins her East Coast and Canada tour with an imaginative concert series in New York City this November. The program, titled “Ancestral Songs, Prayers and Lullabies,” explores Armenian musical traditions established by Gomidas and later continued by his pupils Parsegh Ganatchian and Mihran Toumajan.
In conversation with Lisa Terrizzi of the Friends of Armenian Cultural Society, Bayrakdarian reflected on her path from a church choir singer to an internationally acclaimed artist. She discussed her dedication to uncovering and sharing the depth of Armenian musical heritage.
Interview Highlights
Lisa Terrizzi (L.T.): Did you grow up in a musical household, and what drew you specifically to voice?
Isabel Bayrakdarian (I.B.): 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 deeply personal journey. I grew up playing the piano and singing in our Armenian church choir in Lebanon. The reason I decided to take voice lessons in my late teens in Canada was to communicate freely with God through fearless singing supported by solid technique.
About the Program
Bayrakdarian’s performances will blend traditional Armenian hymns with arrangements that highlight their spiritual and emotional depth. Her approach connects history, faith, and artistry, offering audiences a meditative and culturally rich experience.
Author’s Summary
Through her “Ancestral Songs, Prayers and Lullabies” tour, Isabel Bayrakdarian renews and enriches Armenian musical heritage, merging devotion, history, and modern classical artistry.