Biography

Lynn Isnar is an Armenian-Canadian soprano known for her “firecracker coloratura,” (Opera Canada, John Gilks) and “terrific stratospheric high notes,” (Opera Canada, Joseph So). 

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In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Ms. Isnar is thrilled to announce a new and unique concert program titled Divine Dreams to be premiered on November 5th, with longtime friend and classical pianist, Artun Miskciyan, and her husband, Gary Garbis Sahsuvar, who is a jazz tenor saxophonist. This concert will feature tango, jazz, classical and Armenian favourites.

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This past 2022-2023 season, Ms. Isnar performed in debut performances with Sinfonia Toronto (December 2022), the Toronto Philharmonic (February 2023) and The Rose Orchestra (March 2023). She continued the season by joining Amici Chamber Ensemble in a new project called Diasporic Bridges (May 2023) and in their Dream Gala at the Rosedale Golf Club (May 2023). She concluded the season by working with the Canadian Children’s Opera Company as a guest lead performer and Armenian Diction Coach in their Spring Opera, The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs at the Meridian Arts Centre (June 2023).

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Ms. Isnar started off the 2021-2022 season by recording with Sinfonia Toronto for Canadian composer, Colin Eatock’s, upcoming CD works. Her season continued with performances in the OperaFest concert series and in recital at the Canadian Music Center. She finished the season by singing the female title role of Harapshilli in Conan and the Stone of Kelior, a new opera by Mightier Productions. 

 

During the 2020-2021 pandemic season, Ms. Isnar was fortunate enough to join the Glenn Gould School as a guest artist in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia showcased as a virtual concert. She later joined the Amici Chamber Ensemble in their virtual concert Armenian Treasures where she sang works by Amirkhanyan and Aznavour. Ms. Isnar also performed in the A.G.B.U. “Solidarity in Song” Online Concert Series. 

Past roles performed by Ms. Isnar include Cleopatra (Giulio Cesare), Susanna (Marriage of Figaro), La Marchesa (La Cecchina), Female Chorus (Rape of Lucretia), Katya (Katya Kabanova), Emma (Khovanshchina), Nanine (The Widow), Daphne (The Beautiful Helen), Lydia/Veronica (Perchance to Dream), Katya (Katya Kabanova), Nightingale (The Nightingale of 1000 Songs), Valencienne (The Merry Widow) and Adele (Die Fledermaus).

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