Agnes Agopian

Armenian musician, born in France. After visiting, in 1980, former Soviet Armenia she started kanun lessons, with Aram Kerovpyan, student of Saadettin Öktenay.

Between 1984 and 1986 she lived in Istanbul, where she continued her lessons, while taking part in various groups, among which the University choir.

From 1987 to 1992 she lived in Athens, where she teached the kanun and eastern music theory at the 'Nikos Skalkotas' Conservatory, the 'Evmousia' Conservatory and the Pallini Music High School. She formed the music group 'Sehnaz', whose repertoire included folk songs from Istanbul.

Since 1993 she has been living in Istanbul. Until 2005 she played on a regular basis on the radio, in programmes of classical music. Since 2001 she has been a music professor at the French-speaking Μusic School and since 2006 its director.

She has participated in concerts in Turkey and Greece, as well as in seminars in music schools of North Greece (Kavala, Xanthi, Komotini).

Source: Agnes Agopian

Songs

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  • SongPropontisFable Song (Ballad)Table Song

A Maid Was Singing

(The Wife Scorned)

  • Κοράσιν ετραγούδαγε ⬥ A maid was singing in a high-walled palace. The wind swept her voice out to sea and every ship that heard it reefed its sails. Save one love-lorn ship that knows what friendship means that neither gathering its sheets nor lowering them trimmed its sails and set [...]
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  • SongPropontisFable Song (Ballad), Immigration SongTable Song

A Maid Was Singing Longingly

  • Κοράσιν ετραγούδαγε ⬥ A maid was singing longingly inside a high-walled palace, her voice was caught up on the breeze and carried off to seaward, and all the ships that heard that voice at once let go their halyards. [Save one that holds friendship most dear and knows a love-lorn [...]
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  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, VourlaSad and Plaintive SongCouplets, Processional Tune, Table Song

At Dawn

  • Δεν είν’ αυγή να σηκωθώ ⬥ At dawn not once did I get up without sighing arise, my sun, come, talk to me without bending again on the pillow and crying arise that I may see you and be comforted. At Alatsata there is a mountain called the Karadai come, [...]
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  • SongPropontisSea and Sailors Song

I Wish for All the Months in Turn

  • Όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω ⬥ I wish for all the months in turn, await them all with longing, but not, o not, the month of March when folks embark on travel. That month fits galleys out for sea and slips a vessel’s moorings. My husband also makes to go, [...]
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  • SongCappadocia / KonyaKonya, SilleInstrumental

Karsilamas Dance – Tsift

  • Αντικρυστός χορός – Τσιφτ ⬥ The tune is known also as 'tsift'. The kanun master Nikos Stefanidis taught this tune to Domna Samiou and her musicians. Recorded in 1991.
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  • SongAsia MinorLove SongCouplets

Like the Marble of the City (Constantinople)

  • Σαν τα μάρμαρα της Πόλης ⬥ Like the marble slabs that stand in St. Sophia so well-matched and symmetrical are your eyebrows, eyes and hair. I have decided to become a dome in St. Sophia for fair girls and for dark ones to come and worship there. Translated by Mania Seferiades
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  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, MeliLove SongCouplets

The Water of Life

(Olmaz)

  • Από τα γλυκά σου μάτια ⬥ The water of Life flows from your sweet eyes. I asked you for a little but you didn’t give me any to drink. Impossible, my duck, impossible, you are doing your best to kill me. I told you not to tempt me and leave [...]
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  • SongConstantinopleLove SongTable Song

You Have Entangled Me

  • Μ’ έχεις μπερντεμένο ⬥ You have entangled me, you have, like a bee, I am fed up being your slave and also your ransomer, my little one. You have entangled me, you have, mind and heart, you will sell me as a slave in Barbary, my little one. Translated by Mania Seferiades
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Records

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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2008Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Folk Fables in Song

In fables, fragments of ancient myths are preserved. On this CD, Domna Samiou & her collaborators sing tales of the fabulous and the fantastic combining the real world with the supernatural and narrating stories, often tragic, which might once have occurred – or could do so one day – however […]
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release1992UNHCR – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Songs About Greeks Far From Home

This CD, published by UNHCR with an informative booklet, includes sixteen songs narrating different aspects of migrating to foreign lands: departure and life in foreign lands; the lives of families left behind; death in foreign lands or a return home. It marks a new direction to Domna Samiou’s music publications: […]
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  • AlbumDigital release, LP1989UNHCR – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Songs About Greeks Far From Home (LP)

This LP includes nineteen songs narrating all the different aspects of migrating in foreign lands: the departure and the life to foreign lands, the life of the family left behind, death in these foreign lands or the return home. This publication of the UNHCR, with its informative accompanying booklet, introduces […]
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  • AlbumDigital release, LP1991Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs of Asia Minor 2

On this LP, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. This LP complements ‘Songs of Asia Minor N° 1’ published in 1984.
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release1992Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs οf Asia Minor

On this CD, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. The CD includes songs from two previous LPs, 'Songs of Asia Minor 1 and 2'. (barcode: 5204910000128)  
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