I caught a gem of a concert Wednesday night at the Carmel Valley Library.

Alexandr Agamirzov is one of the best singers I know. I think his singing is exciting and sensitive. I've only known Alexandr for about 12 years. I thought it was about time I heard him sing a concert.

I first met him during chorus rehearsals for Lohengrin in December 1999. Since then we've probably been in 30 operas together.

It's strange how often people in the opera chorus don't hear each other outside the chorus.

Alexandr is Armenian and was educated at the Glinka Conservatory of Music in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. He has degrees in both voice and piano and sang extensively as a principal artist before moving to the U.S.

The program was diverse. Alexandr started with the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria and then three sentimental songs in English, including "The Impossible Dream." He also sang Italian songs and an aria from Tosca, a few Russian opera arias, and a Spanish song.

The accompanist, Irina Bessanova, played beautifully. In addition to accompanying, she played two exquisite Chopin pieces. Irina is from Russia and taught piano at the Gliere Music College in Kiev.

Violinist Rodolfo Ruiz-Velasco rounded the evening out with a Bach Partita.

Alexandr created a relaxed concert with his light-hearted banter between songs. He didn't stick to the order of the songs on the program but jumped around often. Now and then we waited while Irina flipped through her music searching for the next piece.

Finally, Alexandr said, "She's going to kill me after this, but I've been killed before. I'm not scared."

Here's a clip of Alexandr singing at the downtown library.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIT8srpyfcI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL