The biography of Ophelia Hambartsumian is a publication dedicated to the life and career of the Queen of Armenian folk song, the most well known, most recognized popular singer of Armenian song for over half a century. The author, Sergei Arakelian, covers the journey of her life from childhood to today, through photos, historical documents, personal letters and praise by the legendary figures of Armenian art and literature such as Avetik Isahakian, Yervand Kochar, Dev, Silva Kapootikian and Gohar Gasparian. Reading this volume feels like peeking into the personal album of the famous singer, being introduced to her family and the private life of the “Messenger of Armenian folk songs”, together with a vast collection of photographs and archival material, chronicled in the pages of the book. Hambartsumian’s family is a musical family: her husband is an outstanding Kamancha (folk instrument) player, her son is a talented violinist and her daughter Datevik Hovanesian is an internationally known and respected jazz vocalist.

“My mother’s clear, resonant voice and her masterful renditions of folk songs provided much nourishment to my soul and greatly influenced the formation of my eventual musical world” says Datevik of her mother’s influence on her work.

Here are a few of notable passages from the book, by imminent figures of art and literature in Armenia about Hambartsumian:

The prominent Armenian poet Avetik Isahakian writes. “Bravo my girl! It seems like my songs have been written specifically for you. I can not even imagine someone else interpreting my soul the way you have. May we live and enjoy your singing for many years to come”.

The well known Iranian-Armenian poet and artist Dev (Markar Gharabekian) reflects in his letter the full admiration and yearning of Armenians throughout the world: “For years and years, every single night, you have joined us in our homes with that sweet and affectionate voice, that exclusive voice that finds its way directly to our hearts.”

World famous opera singer Gohar Gasparian has written: “In far away Egypt, in Ophelia Hambartsumian’s performance I first experienced the power and the delicacy of the Armenian folk song. She has this amazing way of revealing the depth of the soul of a song.”

Ophelia Hambartsumian is every Armenian’s mother, daughter, sister; she sings songs of the soul of the Armenian nation. This book is dedicated to the life and career of a remarkable artist of our people. It is a treasure to have, a valuable gift to oneself or to loved ones, something that over the years one would refer to often and smile, just like looking at a personal photo album.

Let us end with a couple of paragraphs written by the artist herself.

“To my Armenian nation, the one that I admire with all my heart and soul, to my fans. I am happy and proud to be your daughter. The highest praise for an artist is the love of the masses; I am blessed and overjoyed to receive the warmth of that love over many many years. I am always dedicated and eternally grateful to my lovely and warm people.”