Armenian Theater of Opera and Ballet

(full name, A. A. Spendiarov Academic Armenian Theater of Opera and Ballet), the most important musical theater of the Armenian SSR (Yerevan). Opened in 1933 with Spendiarov’s opera Almast. The building was constructed in 1940 by the architect A. I. Tamanian.

Among those who have worked at various times in the theater are the conductors G. E. Budagian, K. S. Saradzhev, R. G. Stepanian, M. A. Tavrizian, and S. G. Charekian; the directors A. S. Burdzhalian, A. K. Gulakian, and L. A. Kalantar; the choreographer I. I. Arbatov; the choirmaster V. A. Nikol’skii; the artists M. S. Sar’ian, S. I. Aladzhalov, and M. A. Arutchian; the opera singers A. B. Danielian, Sh. M. Tal’ian, L. N. Isetskii (Ioannisian), A. D. Karatov, and P. G. Lisitsian; and the ballet dancers L. P. Voinova-Shikanian, R. L. Tavrizian, S. T. Sarkisian, G. G. Georgian, and Z. M. Muradian.

Among the operas by Armenian composers presented in the theater have been Anush (1935), and Davidbek (1950) by Tigranian; Brave Nazar (1935), Lusabatsin (1938), and Heroine (1950; State Prize of the USSR, 1951) by Stepanian; Taparnikos (1938) by Aivazian; Arshak II (1945; State Prize of the USSR, 1946) by Chukhadzhian; Artsvaberd by Babaev (1957); and Ring of Fire by Terterian (1967). Also produced have been the ballets Good Fortune (1939), Gaiane (1947), and Spartacus (1961) by Khachaturian;Anait (1940) by Ter-Gevondian; Khandut (1945), Three Palm Trees (1964; set to the music of Spendiarov), and Sevan (1956) by Egiazarian; Marmar (1957) and Eternal Idol (1966) by Oganesian; and Prometheus (1967) by Aristakesian.

The theater’s repertoire also includes Russian and Western classical pieces, as well as those of contemporary Soviet and foreign composers.

In 1968 the theater company included the opera singers People’s Artists of the USSRG. M. Gasparian, T. T. Sazandarian, and N. M. Ovanisian, People’s Artists of the Armenian SSRG. A. Galachian, S. A. Galstian, M. A. Erkat, S. P. Danelian, A. G. Karapetian, A. G. Petrosian, D. M. Pogosian, A. T. Tutundzhian, and E. S. Khachikian; ballet dancers included People’s Artists of the Armenian SSR V. Sh. Galstian, F. M. Elanian, S. A. Minasian, L. V. Semanova, and V. G. Khanamirian. The chief conductor is Honored Art Worker of the Armenian SSR A. G. Katanian, the director is Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR A. V. Ananian, the chief choreographer is Honored Art Worker of the Armenian SSR M. S. Martirosian, and the head choirmaster is R. A. Aivazian.

In 1939 the theater was awarded the Order of Lenin.