BAYRAKDARIAN THRILLS CARNEGIE HALL IN TRIBUTE TO CATHOLICOS
By Florence Avakian
It was both a spiritual and unforgettable evening of music and emotion — for the 30th anniversary of Catholicos Aram I. Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall was packed as celebrated soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian came on stage dressed in demure grey lace gown, accompanied by harpist Ellie Choate, flutist Ray Furuta, and on duduk Mher Mnatsakanyan.
The three-part program, with no intermission, included “Marian Chants, Hymns and Children’s Prayers,” playsongs and lullabies by the legendary Komitas Vartabed, and more recent play songs and lullabies from Historical Armenia and the Diaspora.
Carefully and profoundly planned by the world-famous soprano, Bayrakdarian has written that “the seeds of this special project were planted at a young age, when I would often listen to my mother sing prayers, lullabies and songs from a place that seemed far away yet inexplicably familiar. I know how powerful these songs and hymns are and how they can heal and soothe the soul. They remind us that we all come from the same source and that we are all related and forever connected.”
The second section of the performance was dedicated to the playsongs and lullabies of Komitas Vartabed — many of them unknown to most people but heartfelt and profound. Bayrakdarian explained that before the Genocide they were recorded and unheard. But after the Genocide, they were recorded by his students and survivors and sorrowfully recalled.
As the program became more celebratory, the singer reappeared in more colorful gowns, adding to the increased feeling of joy and celebration.
This unique performance, which the singer has thoughtfully thought out and profoundly planned for many years and performed to ecstatic audiences, was especially performed for the 30th anniversary for Catholicos Aram I.
The very special offering concluded with play songs and lullabies from Historical Armenia and the Diaspora. The world-famous singer’s rendition of “Groong” literally brought the house down as Bayrakdarian and accompanists received a lengthy standing ovation and were presented with glorious bouquets of flowers.
To this writer’s surprise, the celebrated singer came to me and pointed out that we had met at the Metropolitan Opera when she had performed there. The world-renowned and charismatic artist, who deftly combines lyricism with dramatic instincts, is a professor and head of voice in the Music Dept. for the University of CA, Santa Barbara, in addition to having performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, La Scala, Paris Opera, Salzburg Festival, Bavarian State Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, among many others.