Review of Isabel Bayrakdarian (Waterloo Entertainment Center, Nov 23 2006)

Canadian Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian performed with her accompaniest husband, Serouj Kradjian, at the new Waterloo Entertainment Center on Thursday night. As part of a program to pair opera stars with young up-and-coming singers, mezzo-soprano Erin Lawson appeared in the second half.

Ms. Bayrakdarian's choice of music was inspired. Although she has made her name as a Mozart singer, in this concert she sang a series of little songs, mostly by little-known composers. The program included the English translations and the house lights were left up so we could read the lyrics. As well as a pure, beautiful voice, Ms. Bayrakdarian has an expressive style and a wide vocal range; this format showed off her considerable talents.

I was charmed throughout, but the ending went to new heights, from the two women singing Sull'aria... Che soave zeffiretto from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro through Rossini's Cat Duet (done with hilarious hamminess) and the famous Flower Duet from Delibes' Lakme.

Here's one of the songs she sang, a Spanish folksong by Fernando Obradors:

Chiquitita la novia
Chiquitita la novia
Chiquitito el novio,
Chiquitita la sala
Y er dormitorio,
Por eso you quiero
Chiquitita la cama
Y er mosquitero.

which is translated as:

Teeny-tiny the bride
Teeny-tiny the bride,
Teeny-tiny the groom,
Teeny-tiny the parlor,
And the bedroom;
For this reason I want
A teeny-tiny bed
And a mosquito net.

Review in KW Record
Profile of Isabel Bayrakdarian in Waterloo Chronicle

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