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THE PLACES OF THE EAST: ALEXANDER SPENDIARYAN
by Phillip Butler
Argophilia Travel News
Jan 27 2011
The Alexander Spendiaryan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is
located in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It takes its name
in honor of Alexander Spendiaryan, an Armenian composer who wrote
the opera Almast. This opera was the first one that was performed
at the complex. The facility did not take on this name until 1938,
five years following its official opening.
The groundbreaking for the complex took place in November of 1930
as part of Soviet Armenia's 10th anniversary celebration. The doors
officially opened in January 1933, and a ballet troupe was established
shortly thereafter. The first ballet performed in the building was
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
The theater underwent constant construction improvements, and the
second phase of the construction reached completion in 1940.
Construction continued until 1953. In 1956, the opera-theater received
the status of National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater because of
its success in promoting and developing many new national ballets
and opera performances, including Aram Khachaturian's Happiness and
Gayane, both ballets. Gayane performed so well that it has now been
performed worldwide.
Numerous other Armenian composers have written ballets and operas for
the theater. Anoush has been a part of the theater's repertoire since
1935. The facility has hosted more than 200 different operas written by
composers from Armenia, West Europe, and Russia. The theater's company
has performed across the globe in more than 20 countries, including
Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain, the United States, and Lebanon.
This facility is not only one of Yerevan's architectural highlights,
but it is also a prime destination for visitors passionate about
theater, opera, and ballet.
See Photos at
http://www.argophilia.com/news/the-places-of-the-east-alexander-spendiaryan/21341/
From: A. Papazian
by Phillip Butler
Argophilia Travel News
Jan 27 2011
The Alexander Spendiaryan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is
located in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It takes its name
in honor of Alexander Spendiaryan, an Armenian composer who wrote
the opera Almast. This opera was the first one that was performed
at the complex. The facility did not take on this name until 1938,
five years following its official opening.
The groundbreaking for the complex took place in November of 1930
as part of Soviet Armenia's 10th anniversary celebration. The doors
officially opened in January 1933, and a ballet troupe was established
shortly thereafter. The first ballet performed in the building was
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
The theater underwent constant construction improvements, and the
second phase of the construction reached completion in 1940.
Construction continued until 1953. In 1956, the opera-theater received
the status of National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater because of
its success in promoting and developing many new national ballets
and opera performances, including Aram Khachaturian's Happiness and
Gayane, both ballets. Gayane performed so well that it has now been
performed worldwide.
Numerous other Armenian composers have written ballets and operas for
the theater. Anoush has been a part of the theater's repertoire since
1935. The facility has hosted more than 200 different operas written by
composers from Armenia, West Europe, and Russia. The theater's company
has performed across the globe in more than 20 countries, including
Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain, the United States, and Lebanon.
This facility is not only one of Yerevan's architectural highlights,
but it is also a prime destination for visitors passionate about
theater, opera, and ballet.
See Photos at
http://www.argophilia.com/news/the-places-of-the-east-alexander-spendiaryan/21341/
From: A. Papazian