Christopher Nazarian

Australian-Armenian bass and pianist Christopher Nazarian is a graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His credentials include a Bachelor and a Master in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Natalia Sheludiakova and a Diploma and Master in Opera Performance under the tutelage of Maree Ryan.

Christopher is currently based in New York, studying with voice coach Armen Boyajian, made possible with financial assistance from The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust through their Music Scholarship Program 2017, and The Armenian General Benevolent Union.

Nazarian’s musical journey began as a pianist and at the age of 9.

Concerto performances: Babajanian Heroic Ballade for Piano and Orchestra, Chopin Piano Concerto No1 in e-minor with Ryde Hunters Hill Symphony Orchestra, Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No2 in c-minor with Eroica Ensemble, Beethoven Piano Concerto No3 in c-minor with Sydney University Intercol Orchestra, and Manera Concertante for Piano and Orchestra at ABC Classic FM with the Sydney Conservatorium Modern Music Ensemble.

Career highlights: Assistant piano professor at Le Conservatoire Russe Alexandre Scriabin, Paris 2012.

During Nazarian's career as a concert pianist, he also had a passion for working with opera singers as an accompanist. At the age of 25, his fascination of opera led him to discover his own singing voice under the tutelage of Armenian opera singer, mezzo-soprano Liliya Ovchiyan.

In 2017 Christopher performs the roles of Sarastro and Sprecher in The Magic Flute, Truffaldino and Lakai in Ariadne Auf Naxos at The Berlin Opera Academy.

Other roles: Buffo in Der Schauspieldirektor, Gideon March/ Mr Dashwood in Little Women, Thomas Parr/ The Prompter/ A Governor of the Bank of England/ Roberts the Forger/ Dr Dalmahoy/ Philip Thiknesse/ The Parish Constable in English Eccentrics at The Sydney Conservatorium Opera School, King Balthazar in Amal and the Night Visitors, Rudolfo in La Sonnambula with Penrith Symphony Orchestra, Frere Laurance in Romeo and Juliet at the International Vocal Arts Institute NY, and Dulcamara Elisir D'Amore at Western Sydney Opera.

Career highlights: Bass soloist in Bernstein Mass at Sydney Opera House, Winner of Russian Song at Sydney Eisteddfod, Finalist in Opera Awards and Male Operatic Voice, Quarter Finalist in McDonald’s Operatic Aria at Sydney Eisteddfod, Finalist in Lady Fairfax New York scholarship award at The Opera Foundation for Young Australians and Semi Finalist in Young Virtuosi Award at Fine Music FM.