|
David Varjabed
Canadian-Armenian baritone David
Varjabed studied in Armenia, where he received a Master of
Arts Degree in Opera Performance and Voice Pedagogy from Komitas
National Conservatory in Yerevan, in 1972.
Varjabed not only received
the highest honours upon graduation, but also won the
competition for “Most promising young artist in Armenia”. He
then continued his studies in Bel Canto technique in Siena,
Italy with the great baritone Gino Bechi.
In the following a successful
singing career with the Armenian National Opera Company, Mr.
Varjabed came to Canada in 1974 and made his debut with the
Canadian Opera Company.
In the following years he starred
with many other companies, including Kitchener, Ukranian, and
Donetsk. He has toured Europe, USA, the former USSR, and the
Middle East, at the invitation of musical organizations.
Recordings, radio programs,
television appearances and master classes have followed from
these engagements.
Click for sound
In 2004 Mr. Varjabed was
invited to the University of Toronto as a guest lecturer on the
topic of “Armenian community and musical life in Canada”.
David Varjabed was a winner
at the Vancouver Opera Competition and finalist at the Met’s
competition. He received rave reviews at the “Mainly Mozart
Festival” (Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto) and was praised for his
performance at the “Northern Music Festival” (North Bay).
Varjabed has been made an
“Honorary Life Member” of the Armenian National Opera. His style
and vocal technique delight audiences. He has both classical and
operatic repertoire, and has performed both to great critical
acclaim. He has recorded for Melodya (USSR), Juba! (Canada),
Solina (USA), and Do-Re-Mi (Canada).
In reviewing Varjabed’s
latest CD in “Fanfare” magazine Ralph V. Lucano wrote, “He has a
bright, freely produced voice, even up and down in scale, with a
good legato and high notes that would do credit to a
Heldentenor… it’s a thrilling instrument”.
Varjabed is the founder,
conductor and artistic director of the successful Komitas Choir
of the Komitas Musical Association, which is comprised of
singers possessing a high degree of vocal and musical
proficiency and dedication. He is past director of the Ani Choir
and Toronto Jewish Folk Choir.
He is an outstanding vocal teacher,
specializing in the Bel Canto technique. He demands
discipline and dedication from his singers, and achieves
excellent results.
Maestro David Verjabed on
June 26th, 2008, was awarded a Gold Medal from the Armenian
goverment for his 35 years of musical career achievements.
|
