Mary Kouyoumdjian’s chamber opera ‘Adoration’ nominated for Grammy

Armenian-American composer Mary Kouyoumdjian has been nominated for the 2026 Grammy Awards in the category of Best Opera Recording for her chamber opera ‘Adoration’. This marks the first time a work by an Armenian composer has received such a nomination.

The opera is based on Atom Egoyan’s film of the same name, which explores themes of grief, racism, and the influence of media on perceptions of reality. Kouyoumdjian’s music fuses her Armenian heritage with elements of electronic and classical traditions, creating a distinctive sound.

As a representative of the first generation of the Armenian diaspora—whose family endured the Lebanese Civil War and the Armenian Genocide—the composer channels both personal and historical experiences into the musical fabric of her work.