News

Eurovision 2015.

27th March, 2015

A first for Harlequin – our very own Mary-Jean O’Doherty competes in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Cardiff based soprano Mary-Jean O’Doherty will be representing Armenia in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Mary-Jean, who has Australian, Greek and American citizenship and is married to another of our Harlequin artists, accompanist and repetiteur, Caradog Williams, has been confirmed as the fifth member of Genealogy – a super group of six people who will be representing Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

Mary-Jean’s stunning and crystal clear coloratura voice has filled many famous opera houses and it was because of her mother’s Armenian education that Mary-Jean was encouraged to study singing. She is very proud of her Armenian roots and has been inspired by Armenian composer, singer, musicologist and priest Komitas from an early age.

Mary-Jean joins singers Essaï Altounian from Europe, Tamar Kaprelian from America, Stephanie Topalian from Asia, Vahe Tilbian from Africa and Inga Arshakyan from Armenia. They are all united by their Armenian origins. Their song, Face the Shadow, composed by Armen Martirosyan and lyricist Inna Mkrtchyan is a powerful anthem about peace, unity and love which perfectly combines all six unique voices.

When Mary-Jean is not singing for her country, she can be heard singing opera across the globe. Recent engagements have taken her to Tel Aviv where she sang the role of Konstanze in Die Entfuhrung auf dem Serail and Austria where she understudied the roles of Despina in Così fan tutte and Marzelline in Fidelio for Tyrol Festival Erl.

We all wish Mary-Jean and Genealogy well in May but if you can’t wait until then, you can listen to Face the Shadow here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVVvgD0-Mu0

The Eurovision song contest will take place on the 19, 21 and 23 of May in Vienna, Austria.