'You can see the heavens': Why Isabel Bayrakdarian finds spirituality in Mozart

Isabel Bayrakdarian, a world-renowned opera singer, always looks for sacred moments in music, regardless of its origin. 

Her album Mother of Light is nominated for Classical Album of the Year for vocals or choral at this year's Junos. 

Bayrakdarian talked to Tapestry guest host, Laurel Sprengelmeyer, about moving moments in  Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and performing the role of Susana. 

Laurel Sprengelmeyer: I heard this interview with you that you did recently and you were talking about working on Mozart's Marriage of Figaro and that's a secular opera. But you mentioned that there are moments that felt so holy to you that you prayed whenever you heard them. 

Isabel Bayrakdarian: Why do I approach it as I'm a conduit for Mozart? Because obviously his spark of genius came about because he let his soul free. So the creativity manifested itself because he was free in his... He wasn't afraid to let his spirits soar. So the spark of creativity made this music. And we all know from his letters that he loved life. He loved life even when he was broke. He loved life even when [...] he was in a feast stage of his life with all these commission monies coming in. He was a happy guy.

All of a sudden it's like you're going, going and all of a sudden Mozart opens the window to heaven.- Isabel Bayrakdarian

[...]

There are two, three sections in The Marriage of Figaro [where] I went to the stage management desk and said, "Aren't you happy to be alive to hear this music?" 

All of a sudden it's like you're going, going and all of a sudden Mozart opens the window to heaven. You can see the heavens and the light and the gorgeousness and the beauty. You're just like, "If I die right now, the music will take me to heaven." 

LS: It's so wonderful to hear you bringing life to this music. You know, I was familiar with The Marriage of Figaro. But just hearing you speak about it today and also in this interview of yours brought this depth to it, and the spiritual depth to it, that I hadn't quite been aware of before. 

You mentioned there were two, three moments in that opera that for you were the ones that made you feel the desire to pray. So if you can come to those moments and describe what those moments are for us. 

The moment

IB: One of these moments is an act two finale when Figaro, Susanna and the Countess are pleading with the count for them to be married... Mozart has written this quartet for voices that has Susanna, Figaro, the Countess and the Count — where the Countess, Susanna and Figaro are pleading with the Count to allow them to get married. 

[...]

Truly it's like, you blink and it goes — unless you're looking for it. 

Here at this moment I feel I'm floating. If I had wings I would fly in this moment. I've happened to sing the role of Susanna a lot. I made my debut at almost all the greatest opera houses in the world, singing the role of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. I always looked for this moment, regardless how crazy the staging is. 

Here at this moment I feel I'm floating. If I had wings I would fly in this moment.- Isabel Bayrakdarian

At this moment, no one moves. Every director knows you don't move the singers in this moment. You don't. Because even they feel what a profound moment this is. The music just takes over you. 

LS: Isabel, it's been so beautiful to talk to you. I really really appreciate you taking the time out to do this interview. I am a really big fan of yours. 

IB: Thank you so much. 

Isabel Bayrakdarian's comments have been edited and condensed. To listen to the full interview, click LISTEN above.