Armenian Opera Theater

The Armenian National Academic Opera & Ballet Theatre in Yerevan was founded in 1932 and was opened on January 20, 1933. The theatre building was constructed in 1940 by the architect Alexander Tamanian. In 1938, the theatre was named after Alexander Spendiaryan, great Armenian composer, author of opera "Almast" which was performed in 1933 as a first performance at the theatre.

Soon after the theatre foundation, a ballet troupe was established. "Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was the first ballet performance in 1935.

The opening of the theatre promoted the creation of new national operas and ballets. The first Armenian ballet was "Happiness" by Aram Khachaturian. On the basic of this ballet the composer soon created "Gayane" which has been performed all over the world. Many other Armenian composers have written operas and ballets. Over the years, these artists have worked at the theatre: singers Gohar Gasparyan, Tatevik Sazandaryan, Mihran Erkat, Pavel Lisizian, Aikanush Danielyan, Nar Hovhannisyan, Gegham Grigoryan; conductors Konstantin Saradjev, Michael Tavrizjan, Aram Katanyan, Yuri Davtyan; ballet masters A. Petrosyan, M. Chmshkyan, V. Khanamiryan, Vilen Galstyan; painters Martiros Saryan, Minas Avetisyan.

Since 1935 a unique Armenian opera, "Anoush" by Armen Tigranyan, has been performed. It was a great step in Armenian opera history. "Anoush" is in the repertoire of the theatre until now.

In 1956, the theatre received the status of National Academic Opera & Ballet Theatre.

Since it was opened, the Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre has performed more than 200 different operas and ballets by Armenian, Russian and West European composers.

The theatre company has performed in more than 20 countries, e.g. in Russia, Spain, Lebanon, USA, Greece, Germany.

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