The Naghash Ensemble of Armenia to perform at Toronto’s Koerner Hall

TORONTO — Armenia’s internationally acclaimed Naghash Ensemble will perform at Toronto’s Koerner Hall on Friday, November 20, as part of its November 2026 North American tour.

Led by Armenian-American composer John Hodian, the Yerevan-based ensemble brings together Armenian folk and spiritual traditions with contemporary classical, post-minimalist, rock and jazz influences. Its distinctive sound features three female vocalists alongside duduk, oud, dhol and piano.

The ensemble’s repertoire draws heavily on the writings of medieval Armenian mystic poets Mkrtich Naghash and Kostandin Erznkatsi, whose texts Hodian has set to contemporary compositions. The Toronto program will include several new works as well as selections from different stages of the ensemble’s career.

The Naghash Ensemble was formed after Hodian heard medieval spiritual music vocalist Hasmik Baghdasaryan singing at Armenia’s Garni Temple in 2005. Inspired by the experience, he later began setting the poetry of Mkrtich Naghash to music, eventually locating the poet’s surviving works with the assistance of Armenian scholars and the Mekhitarist Fathers of San Lazzaro degli Armeni in Venice.

Since launching its first European tour in 2014, the ensemble has performed internationally and received acclaim for its fusion of ancient Armenian musical and literary traditions with contemporary composition.

The November 20 concert will also feature Armenian-Canadian cellist Karen Ouzounian and the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto. The 119-voice choir will give the Canadian premiere of “Dear Mountains,” a work for chorus, solo cello, oud and percussion co-composed by Ouzounian and Lembit Beecher.

The Naghash Ensemble features Hasmik Baghdasaryan and Tatevik Movsesyan, sopranos; Shahane Zalyan, alto; Andranik Gasparyan, duduk; Aramayis Nikoghosyan, oud; Tigran Hovhannisyan, dhol; and John Hodian, piano and composer.

The concert begins at 8 p.m., with a prelude recital by Royal Conservatory students at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale starting at $60.