Lévon Sayan – French-Armenian Operatic Tenor

Lévon Sayan is a French-Armenian impresario, producer, and an operatic tenor. He was born in Marseilles into a family of Armenian immigrants and Armenian Genocide survivors.

Sayan began his career as a classical singer in 1966. Soon, he recorded his first CD with Renée Doria. As a tenor, he sang in “Faust”, “Rigoletto”, “Carmen”, and many other operas.

In 1956, Sayan moved to the US. There, he met French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour during his concert tour in 1963. 2 years later, Sayan became the director of Aznavour’s concert programs, as well as his permanent impresario. Sayan accompanied Aznavour on most of his overseas tours.

Aside from Charles Aznavour, Sayan was also the manager of Mario del Monaco, Plácido Domingo, Liza Minelli, and Frank Sinatra. In 2006, Sayan received the “Special Prize” of the Armenian National Music Award.

Among his other orders and awards are the French Legion of Honor and Armenia’s Movses Khorenatsi Medal (2008). Lévon Sayan also was bestowed upon an Honorary Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia in 2008.