Asmik Grigorian is one of the most prominent sopranos in the world. She is also the most unique prima donna that the opera scene has seen in recent decades. Bright, not afraid to experiment, to break standards. She has already proven this by presenting the concert program “A Diva is Born” at the Vienna State Opera, which will now be available in Lithuania.

The program is truly atypical. Yes, it includes the aria “Habanera” from Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen” and Giacomo Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, but when Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” or Sting’s “Moon Over Bourbon Street” are played, the audience is simply speechless. Asmik, who always emphasizes her Lithuanian and Armenian origins, has also included the Armenian folk song “Krunk” and the Lithuanian folk song “Pasvarcyk antela” in the program.

Asmik seems to invite you on a musical journey through styles, eras and countries, and the viewer can only follow and not even try to guess what the next piece will be.

“Asmik Grigorian is a soprano. Or maybe a mezzo-soprano. Or maybe not a soprano at all. At least she has nothing to do with the Sopranos family. But she was born to be a diva, and today you will understand why,” the annotation to the concert program “A Diva is Born” wittily reads.

The program “A Diva is Born” includes 23 works from very different genres, but they are all united and connected into an exciting whole by the exceptional musical talent of Asmik. Her powerful stage energy is perfectly combined with Hyung-ki Joo’s amazing ability to make the instrument speak. The British pianist of Korean origin has accompanied more than one stage diva. His list includes: Serana Gamberoni, Dame Felicity Lott, Christiane Oelze, Valentina Nafornita, Nadine Sierra and many other famous names. However, such an exceptional diva as Asmik has never been encountered on his path. “I am really impressed and even quite excited,” says H. Joo about the joint program with A. Grigorian.

Asmik is unique even in the world of divas. She is coveted by La Scala, the New York Metropolitan and London Royal Operas, the famous Verona Arena and the Bavarian State Opera, which is especially appreciated by connoisseurs. Her Turandot, Madama Butterfly, Salome and Carmen are considered some of the most striking and dramatic incarnations of opera of all time. Critics, which does not happen so often, unanimously agree with the audience on this issue and in unison pour out elaborate praise.

However… Having prepared for the most famous theaters, the singer, as if she were not a world-class star, goes to the airport by metro, packs her suitcases herself and carries them without help. Perhaps the only thing that would distinguish her from others in the metro car would be her stylish outfit and a look that seems to indicate that the passenger has a magical power that makes thousands experience Salome’s tragedy as their own.