Legendary Singers & Composers – 2025 Event

Vienna, september 25, 2025 – In a world where the echoes of male composers often drown out the contributions of women, two new albums are striking a powerful chord for change. “Sisters” and “Femmes de Légende” are not just collections of music; they are acts of reclamation, shining a spotlight on the often-neglected genius of female composers and performers across centuries.

The album “Sisters” pays homage to the remarkable bond and shared artistry of Maria Malibran and Pauline Viardot, two celebrated sisters who dominated the 19th-century opera scene. Maria,known as “La Malibran,” captivated audiences with her passionate interpretations of Rossini,Bellini,and Donizetti. Her younger sister, Pauline, was a charismatic mezzo-soprano, composer, teacher, and publisher in her own right.

Mezzo-sopranos Karine Deshayes and Delphine Haidan, accompanied by the Orchestre National Avignon-Provence under the baton of Débora Waldman, breathe new life into the works of these sisters and their contemporaries. The album features compositions by Rossini, Viardot, Gluck, Berlioz, Bertin, Bellini, Grandval, and Saint-Saëns, offering a rich tapestry of operatic and vocal masterpieces.

Meanwhile, pianist nareh Arghamanyan’s “Femmes de Légende” embarks on a journey through the works of 14 female composers spanning three centuries. Arghamanyan’s passionate interpretations of composers like Chaminade, Senfter, Di Venezia, Szymanowska, Bonis, Lili and Nadia Boulanger, Fromm-Michaels, Schmitz-Gohr, Martines, Viardot-Garcia, Farrenc, Clara Schumann, and Fanny Hensel, are a testament to the enduring power and beauty of their music.

Arghamanyan presented “Femmes de Légende” in vienna at the House of Engineers on September 26th, further amplifying the album’s message. The album’s subtitle, “Women as a Muse,” encapsulates its mission: to inspire future generations of music creators by celebrating the legacy of these pioneering women.

These albums are more than just musical recordings; they are cultural interventions. They challenge the past narrative that has marginalized women in music and offer a powerful reminder of their vital contributions. As arghamanyan hopes, may these recordings inspire a new era of inclusivity and recognition for female composers and performers, ensuring that their voices are heard and celebrated for generations to come.

Featured Tracks:

* Louise Anglan Bertin: “Fausto. Opera