Araspel Brings an Award-Winning Journey Through Armenian Music to the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival

ROCHESTER, NY – Award-winning pianist Dr. Laura Farré Rozada invites audiences to discover an extraordinary musical landscape with Araspel, a captivating recital presented at the 2026 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival. The performance will take place on Saturday September 19 at 8pm, Sunday September 20 at 8:30 pm, and Monday September 21 at 6 pm and 7:15 pm at Biltmore Bar & Lounge. Tickets are available through Rochester Fringe at https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/araspel.

Every Fringe offers audiences the chance to discover something unexpected. Araspel is precisely that experience.

While names such as Chopin, Debussy and Rachmaninoff have long occupied the concert stage, the rich tradition of Armenian piano music remains largely unknown outside its homeland. Through Araspel, Farré Rozada opens the door to this remarkable repertoire, revealing music of striking beauty, emotional depth and dazzling virtuosity inspired by Armenia’s ancient culture, folk traditions and resilient history.

Far more than a piano recital, Araspel is a musical journey that transports listeners through lyrical landscapes, vibrant dances, meditative reflections and exhilarating virtuosity. Featuring works by Komitas, Arno Babadjanian, Gayane Chebotarian, Eduard Abramian and other remarkable composers, the program celebrates a musical heritage that deserves a place alongside the great traditions of the classical repertoire.

The project has already attracted significant international recognition. Farré Rozada’s album Araspel has received sixteen awards in the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States, confirming both the artistic excellence of the recording and the growing international interest in this extraordinary repertoire.

“Some of the most beautiful piano music ever written remains virtually unknown outside Armenia,” says Farré Rozada. “With Araspel, I hope audiences will experience not only remarkable compositions, but also the history, poetry and spirit of a culture whose musical voice deserves to be heard around the world.”

Named a “Rising Star” by BBC Music Magazine, pianist and mathematician Laura Farré Rozada has built an international career distinguished by artistic curiosity and fearless programming. She has performed in major venues including Carnegie Hall in New York, London’s Southbank Centre, Barcelona’s Palau de la Música Catalana, the Armenian State Philharmonia in Yerevan, the Armenian American Museum in Los Angeles and festivals across Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East. A pianist, mathematician and researcher, she is internationally recognised for bringing overlooked repertoire to new audiences through award-winning performances, recordings and interdisciplinary projects.

Unlike many concert programs built around familiar masterpieces, Araspel offers audiences something genuinely rare: the opportunity to encounter music that is both immediately accessible and almost entirely new. It is an invitation to discover a rich artistic tradition through the hands of one of its most passionate international advocates.

Whether audiences are devoted classical music lovers or simply looking for one unforgettable event at this year’s ESL Rochester Fringe Festival, Araspel promises an experience unlike any other—a celebration of discovery, storytelling and exceptional artistry that lingers long after the final note.

The 12-day ESL Rochester Fringe Festival is one of the nation’s largest fringe festivals and has been recognized by The New York Times as “one of the country’s more prominent multidisciplinary events.” It is also New York State’s largest performing arts festival. Since its inception in 2012, nearly a million people have attended thousands of performances presented by regional, national and international artists. The festival’s mission is to offer platforms for artists, new audiences for venues and unparalleled public access to exceptional art across every discipline.