Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian's Nonesuch debut, Gomidas Songs, was released last week; she launches her North American tour of songs from the album, joined by the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, at the end of the week, at San Francisco's Herbst Theater. The album and tour celebrate the music of 19th-century Armenian composer Gomidas Vartabed. Says the San Francisco Chronicle's Joshua Kosman:

Over the past few years, the Armenian Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian has lavished her gorgeous, dark-hued tone and communicative power on a range of music ... Bayrakdarian's singing, with its tender clarity and ripe urgency, gives these songs the force they need.

Kosman also credits the other musicians on the album with providing a "sweetly evocative" accompaniment for Bayrakdarian. Read the review at sfgate.com.

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The Ottawa Citizen gives Gomidas Songs four-and-a-half stars. The paper's Richard Todd calls the songs "clear of texture, melodic and subtly exotic." He writes:

Bayrakdarian's voice is a marvel. Songs for children, songs of nature, of love, of humour, of yearning, she finds exactly the right mode of expression for each one. You have to wonder if there's another singer anywhere in the world who could do them equal justice.

Todd makes clear that "Nothing is overstated or hammed up. The focus is on the beauty and dignity of the music." He points in particular to "the achingly beautiful love song 'Chinar es (Tall as the Poplar Tree).'" To listen to the song, tune in to Nonesuch Radio, or visit the album page by clicking here. To read the complete Citizen review, visit canada.com/ottawacitizen.

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For tour dates, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.