The Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, commonly known as “The Opera” among locals, is an opera theatre located in Yerevan. Officially opened on January 20, 1933, its first performance was the opera “Almast” by Alexander Spendiaryan. The building was designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan and features two concert halls: the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall with a capacity of 1,400 seats, and the Alexander Spendiaryan National Opera and Ballet Theatre with a capacity of 1,200 seats.
History and Construction:
Construction of the opera theatre began on November 28, 1930, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Soviet Republic of Armenia. The building was officially inaugurated on January 20, 1933. Shortly after the establishment of the theatre, a ballet troupe was formed, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” was the first ballet performance in 1935.
Following Tamanyan’s design and under the supervision of his son, the theatre hall was completed in 1939 and named after Alexander Spendiaryan. Large-scale construction continued until 1953, when the building was fully completed.
Cultural Impact:
The opening of the theatre spurred the creation of new national operas and ballets. The first Armenian ballet, “Happiness” by Aram Khachaturian, was later developed into “Gayane,” which has been performed worldwide. Many Armenian composers wrote works for the opera and ballet. Over the years, numerous artists have worked at the theatre, including singers like Gohar Gasparyan, Tatevik Sazandaryan, Mehran Yerkat, Pavel Lisitsian, Hovhannes Badalyan, Nar Hovhannisyan, Gegham Grigoryan, and Anahit Mkhitaryan; conductors like Konstantin Sarajev, Michael Tavrizyan, Aram Katanyan, Karen Durgaryan, Gianluca Marciano, and Yuri Davtyan; ballet choreographers like A. Petrosyan, M. Shmshkian, Vanush Khanamiryan, Vilen Galstyan, and Rudolf Kharatyan; and painters like Martiros Saryan and Minas Avetisyan.
Significant Performances:
Since 1935, the Armenian opera “Anoush” by Armen Tigranian has been a landmark in Armenian opera history. “Anoush” remains part of the theatre’s repertoire, with soprano Mari Movsisyan currently performing the title role.
Repertoire and Tours:
Since its opening, the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre has staged over 200 different operas and ballets composed by Armenian, Russian, and Western European composers. The theatre’s troupe has performed in more than 20 countries, including Russia, Spain, Lebanon, the United States, Greece, and Germany. In 1956, the theatre was awarded the title of National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
Guest Performances and Events:
The theatre has hosted concerts by artists such as Charles Aznavour, Ian Anderson, John McLaughlin, and the band Aquarium, among others.
Conclusion:
The Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet stands as a testament to Armenia’s rich cultural heritage, offering a platform for both national and international artistic expression. Its historic performances, significant contributions to the arts, and role as a cultural hub make it a cornerstone of Yerevan’s cultural landscape.
