Life > March 23, 2006

By Kristin Lohr

Staff writer

As one of the freshest, most unique voices in the opera world today, Isabel Bayrakdarian’s voice has been described by the Washington Post as a “high and light soprano that she employs with a lithe and winning energy.” 

Isabel Bayrakdarian was born in Lebanon, of Armenian heritage, and moved to Canada with her family as a teenager. 

She began singing in a church, and to this day this remains a central part of her life. 

Her first recording, Joyous Light, released in 2002, consisted of Armenian songs and she has released seven additional recordings since then. 

Her voice has also been featured on the soundtrack for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and in the award winning Canadian film, Ararat.

On March 30, the university will have the honor of hosting a performance by the Armenian-Canadian soprano, Bayrakdarian, as the last event of the Secrest Artists Series.

“I think this event will thoroughly impress students because Isabel Bayrakdarian is a young, fresh voice in the classical world,” says Secrest intern junior Brittany Jacocks.  “She brings a new element to the traditional view of opera. She is phenomenally talented and has a wide range of repertoire sure to please every listener.”

Bayrakdarian became internationally famous after she won first prize in the 2000 Operalia competition. 

Bayrakdarian has received many awards for her talent, including Canada’s Juno award, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee award and a Metropolitan Opera National Council Award in 1997. 

Bayrakdarian’s performance at the university is an unusual opportunity for students to experience a presentation of world-class talent free of cost. 

As always, this performance in the Secrest Series is free for students, faculty and staff of the university. 

“No other organization has the ability to provide such enriching classical artists with a reputation in the outside world,” Jacocks said. “In a performance outside of Wake, students would be paying dearly to attend the concerts that Secrest brings them for free.”

In addition to this performance at the university, the rest of Bayrakdarian’s 2005-06 season includes a role in the Opening Night Gala at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as well as performances at the Royal Opera House in London. 

In addition, she will participate in the 2006 Salzburg Festival presentation of all of Mozart’s operas in honor of the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birthday. 

As one stop on her global tour, this Secrest event provides “one of the strongest and most enriching options students have,” Jacocks said. 

So head out to Brendle Recital Hall on Friday, March 30 to take advantage of this unique series. This will be the last opportunity of the year to hear world class talent at the university through the Secrest Artist Series.