BAYRAKDARIAN, KRADJIAN WOW DETROIT AUDIENCE
By Betty Apigian-Kessel

/12/16/bayrakdarian-kradjian-wow-detroit-audience/
December 16, 2009

Flawless! Breathtaking! Magnificent! Perfection! Class
Performance! Remarkable!

Those were some of the comments enthusiastically volunteered from
fine music devotees exiting the Dearborn Performing Arts Center
Michael Guido Theatre on the evening of Dec. 4 at the conclusion
of world-famous operatic soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and her
musicologist/concert pianist husband Serouj Kradjian’s performance.

They were witness to history.

I could not have said it better myself, even if I were given to an
effusive description of what I viewed as I sat spellbound by the
exciting duo of Kradjian and Bayrakdarian. From my vantage point of
near box seats, I could see the audience below silently mesmerized
by her command of the stage, with her combination of exotic beauty
and an exceptional voice, and his piano virtuosity. They did not want
the joy to end.

The benefit was under the auspices of His Grace Oshagan Choloyan, the
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States,
in conjunction with Fr. Daron Stepanian and the Board of Trustees of
St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Dearborn. Attending with the
archbishop was Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

Yes, historic! The star talent people saw this evening was truly that.

Will we ever again be privy to the likes of such an outstanding
performance gracing a stage in our area, of two such sensational
artists of Armenian heritage wed to each other? It is like a fairy
tale story. The "ian" ending of their surnames leaves no doubt they
are Armenian. They bring immense honor to all of us who share their
ethnic heritage.

In 1915, if Armenians were fortunate to survive the genocide, they
became scattered all over the face of the earth. Bayrakdarian and
Kradjian’s ancestors, too, were part of this history, finding their
way to Lebanon and then to Canada. They are a symbol of Armenian
endurance and triumph, and we applaud them for that.

I have my own interpretation of Bayrakdarian’s body language as she
exited after each musical grouping, followed by Kradjian. It was that
of a confident, beautiful, yet gracious woman who, with her head held
high, had a little swing in the back door. Quite effective. Why not?

She said, "When you feel good on stage, the stage becomes home."

Just days after a successful performance in Italy, Bayrakdarian and
Kradjian arrived here, soon to be followed by a concert in Paris.

Their performances are booked a year in advance. They have graced the
stages of the finest concert and recital venues of Europe, Canada,
and the States. The world may have become their oyster but this
evening the residents of Metro-Detroit were the beneficiaries.

The wide smile on Isabel’s cousin’s face, Antranig Karadolian, said
it all. Afterwards in the glow of the moment I asked him, "How do
you feel now Anto? Are you happy?" He was the conduit who brought
the couple here to perform.

Bayrakdarian intertwined singing lessons with garnering an honors
degree in engineering bioscience from the University of Toronto.

Kradjian has a B.A. in piano performance and a solo performance
degree, earning his masters in Germany. Their destiny may have become
international stardom, but family and faith keep them grounded as
two very down to earth people.

The program included the music of Viardot, Bellini, Mozart, Rossini,
Ravel, Obradors, and a favorite of the performers and all Armenians,
Reverend Gomidas. Kradjian and Bayrakdarian are dedicated to the music
of the 19th century Armenian composer, and Bayrakdarian’s recording
of his songs-arranged by Kradjian-was nominated for a Grammy as the
Best Classical Vocal Performance category in 2008.

The Greeks had Maria Callas, who lived the title of diva to the hilt,
and the Armenians have Isabel Bayrakdarian and Serouj Kradjian. When I
asked Kradjian if his wife was a diva, his gentlemanly response came
after a moment’s pause and a toss of his head to one side. He said
with a grin, "In her own way," of the first prize winner in 2000 of
the Operalia Competition founded by Placido Domingo.

The curtain came down to thunderous applause and shouts of "Bravo!"

and roses from an appreciative audience of over 800 guests. They
out-did themselves, leading many to say that Kradjian’s talent was at
the very least equal to that of Bayrakdarian’s. The reality is they
are both stars and masters of their craft, and this evening ended on
a Hye note.

Bayrakdarian and Kradjian had just finished their concert, taking bows
with broad smiles that said it all. They were the smiles of a couple
who knew they had pleased beyond expectation. There was no doubt the
Armenian couple had captured the hearts and minds of all in attendance.

There were other elements that endeared Bayrakdarian and Kradjian to
us. They were two young, attractive, and extremely talented performers
of Armenian descent wed to each other. The glare of success has not
led them astray from their Armenian roots. They are a perfect fit of
hand and glove.

An elegant afterglow reception for donors followed. Bayrakdarian was
presented with a precious stone-encrusted stylized Armenian letter
of her name designed by Murat Kasparian. Kradjian was presented with
an original artwork by artist Kegham Tazian.

All area Armenian churches were represented, with Rev. Fr. Daron
Stepanian of St. Sarkis Church; Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Rev. Fr.

Diran Papazian, and Rev. Fr. Abraham Ohanesian of St. John’s Armenian
Apostolic Church; Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian and Pastor Darawi Makarios
of the Armenian Congregational Church; and Fr. Andon Atamian of St.

Vartan Armenian Catholic Church.

The planning committee for this concert was comprised of
representatives of the Armenian community headed by Michael Hagopian,
chairman of the St. Sarkis Board of Trustees, assisted by Gregory
Vartanian, Ani Kasparian, and Rita Dilanian. Other committee members
included Ani Attar, Toros Bardakjian, Margaret Benian, Pam Coultis,
Gayaneh and Robert Kachadourian, Tamar Kadian, Antranig Karadolian,
Betty Apigian-Kessel, Hovagim Manoogian, Helen Mempreian Movsesian,
Sue Sarkesian, and David Terzibashian.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress