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Bayrakdarian is one of the opera world's great new stars. She possesses a voice of angelic purity. Her sound is effortlessly produced. Her radiant tonal beauty, musicality, and perfect intonation are what vocal legends are all about! Ms Bayrakdarian's beauty, subtly natural gestures, and sheer magnetism held the audience in the palm of her hand. One could hear a pin drop -- so mesmerized was the audience by her dramatic intensity and vocal glamour. Ms Bayrakdarian is something of a baroque opera specialist and two Vivaldi arias amply demonstrated why. Her voice soared in the stately beauty of 'Sposa son Disprezzata' from Il Bajazet. Bayrakdarian seemed to relish the fiercely difficult coloratura roulades of 'Agitata da Due Venti' from Griselda (to a text by the famed playwright Carlo Goldoni). Her feverish dramatic utterance and pin point coloratura accuracy were simply dazzling! Truly great singing!

In a group of Rossini songs (from the composer's late Serate Musicale) Bayrakdarian was altogether irresistible. Her beautiful cantabile singing of 'La Promessa' was all sweetness and lightness. The Latin rhythms of 'Canzonetta Spangnuola' were accented with flair and joy. (How wonderful to hear a light soprano voice in this confection rather than the usual heavy mezzo.) Her playful way with the song was altogether beguiling. Her rapid fire manner with 'La Danza' was the essence of vocal fireworks. Her beautiful tonal shadings made the 1912 cycle Coleccion de Tonadillas Escritas en Estilo Antiguo by Enrique Granados a musical delight. Her meltingly beautiful singing and exquisite high tones in 'Las Quejos o La Maja y El Ruisenor' from the opera Goyescas produced that rare concert event -- a moment of musical revelation. Her voice truly glistened in this gorgeous music. (Lucretia Bori -- the opera's original interpreter -- could not have sung the aria with greater beauty.) What glorious vocal lava!

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