Laurel Semerdjian, an American mezzo-soprano of Armenian descent, has recently been hailed as "a dramatic and musical tour de force" (Pittsburgh Tribune) for her portrayal of Asakir in Pittsburgh Opera's production of Mohammed Fairouz's Sumeida's Song. Her voice has been praised for its "guttural low notes" (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) and "appealing weight, intensity and flexibility".
In January 2020, Laurel returned to Pittsburgh Opera, singing the role of Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina, and in the spring of 2020, Laurel made her company debut with Florentine Opera, singing the title role in Le Tragédie de Carmen. In the spring of 2021, Laurel returned to Sarasota Opera in the role of Marianna in their production of Il Signor Bruschino.
In the fall of 2021, Laurel was featured in a filmed project entitled Heroes, co-produced by Resonance Works and Decameron Opera Coalition. In seven operatic films and five art songs, Heroes explores heroism past and present, the qualities that make a hero, and the effect that perseverance, bravery, and hope can have on a community.
In December, Laurel joined Symphony Tacoma as the mezzo soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Opera Southwest for their New Year’s Eve Gala.
Other past roles include Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, the title role of Benazir Bhutto in a workshop of Mohammed Fairouz’s Bhutto, the title role in The Rape of Lucretia, Flora in La traviata, and Dorabella in Così fan tutte.
Laurel holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas and a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts with a minor in Music Industry from the University of Southern California.
To learn more about Laurel, visit her website.
Laurel Semerdjian joins the Cape Symphony for Beethoven's 9th: Ode to Joy on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 7:30 PM & Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM. For more information and to purchase tickets for Beethoven's 9th: Ode to Joy, visit capesymphony.org, call the Box Office at 508-362-1111, email
