Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian has travelled far and wide, as an international opera star and an Armenian who was born in Lebanon, immigrated to Canada, and is now settled in southern California. Her life is a journey that informs her new recording, La Zingarella: Through Romany Songland. "The music transcends geography," she says. "It taps into human nature and unites us all. It's about freedom of the spirit, about living life without knowing what tomorrow holds. It's about enjoying every single minute." Isabel embarked on an album of art songs that draw on gypsy melodies - Brahms' Zigeunerlieder, DvorÃ¡k's CigÃ¡nskÃ© Melodie, Bizet's Habanera - but her journey led to a wealth of recherchÃ© gems. The title track by French composer Maurice Yvain commingles with fellow-operetta composers Franz LehÃ¡r ('Lied und CsÃ¡rdÃ¡s' from Zigeunerliebe), Emmerich KÃ¡lmÃ¡n ('Heia, heia, in den Bergen' from The CsÃ¡rdÃ¡s Princess) and Victor Herbert (Gypsy Love Song from The Fortune Teller). Two South American Gypsy Songs by American folk song collector Henry F.B. Gilbert set words by ethnomusicologist Laura Alexandrine Smith, whose authoritative book lends the album it's subtitle. The ever-adventurous Isabel commissioned new arrangements for the songs on this album, with violin, viola, cello, and piano lending a laser beam lucidity to the music that "has a lot of fire in it," she says with a glint in her eye.

Tracklist:

Die Drei Zigeuner, S. 320 (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach)
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: I. He, Zigeuner, Greife In Die Saiten Ein! (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: II. Hochgetürmte Rimaflut (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: III. Wisst Ihr, Wann Mein Kindchen (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenba
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: IV. Lieber Gott, Du Weißt (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach)
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: V. Brauner Bursche Führt Zum Tanze (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter T
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: VI. Röslein Dreie In Der Reihe (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefe
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: VII. Kommt Dir Manchmal In Den Sinn (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenb
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: VIII. Rote Abendwolken (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach)
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55 I. Má Píseň Zas Mi Láskou Zní (Arr. For Voice, Violin
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55: II. Aj! Kterak Trojhranec Můj (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By John Greer)
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55: III. A Les Je Tichý Kolem Kol (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By John Greer)
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55: IV. Když Mne Stará Matka (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By John Greer)
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55: V. Struna Naladěna (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By John Greer)
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55: VI. Široké Rukávy A Široké Gate (Arr. For Voice, Viol
Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55: VII. Dejte Klec Jestřábu (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By John Greer)
Juanita Ó La Perla De Aragon (Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach)
La Perla De Triana (Serenata Andaluza) [Arr. For Voice And String Quartet By Peter Tiefenbach]
El Arreglito (Canción Habanera) [Arr. For Voice, Violin And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach]
Carmen, Act I, Scene 4: L’amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Havanaise) [Arr For Voice, Violin And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach]
Clavelitos (Zambra Gitana) [Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach]
2 South American Gypsy Songs: I. La Montonera
2 South American Gypsy Songs: II. La Zambullidora
Chanson Gitane, Act I: La Zingarella (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach)
Zigeunerliebe,Act III: Hör’ Ich Cymbalklänge (Arr. For Voice, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello And Piano By Peter Tie
Die Csárdásfürstin, Act I: Heia, Heia, In Den Bergen (Arr. For Voice, Viola And Piano By Peter Tiefenbach)
The Fortune Teller: Gypsy Love Song

UPC: 822252250626
Label: Avie
Release Date: 5.20.22
Format: CD

Bizet / Bayrakdarian / Patipatanakoon - La Zingarella - Through Romany (CD)