Categories
Uncategorized

Isabel Bayrakdarian in Performance with Elektra

Celebrated Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian is bringing a musical project very dear to her heart to Vancouver when she performs with Elektra in the choir’s 30th Anniversary Gala Concert at the Chan Centre on Wednesday, March 8. Says Artistic Director Morna Edmundson, “When I first met Isabel in 2015, she mentioned that she was working on a project bringing together hymns from her personal heritage, the Armenian Apostolic Church. The hymns themselves, all in praise of the Virgin Mary, have a 1000-year span, from the 11th century to the 20th century. The 18 arrangements are very personal ones, created for Bayrakdarian’s haunting voice, solo cello, and women’s choir by her husband, composer and pianist Serouj Kradjian. I’m delighted to say that our conversation quickly went to how we might collaborate in concert with these pieces. The result, coming to the Chan Centre stage on International Women’s Day, is a suite of six of the hymns with Vancouver cellist Rebecca Wenham, From Behind the Caravan by Abbie Betinis, and a brand new work The Prayer, by Kradjian, receiving its world premiere at the concert.” Kradjian’s composition is based on The Prayer from The Prophet by Lebanese-American philosopher Gibran Khalil Gibran. Bayrakdarian is no stranger to Vancouver audiences, having performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and VISI, the Vancouver International Song Institute.

Tickets for Elektra’s 30th Anniversary Gala Concert on March 8th with Isabel Bayrakdarian can be purchased here.