A. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre

A word about this company

The pride of the Armenian nation, the Opera theatre, is located at the heart of the capital Yerevan. It is not simply a cultural structure, but an architectural masterpiece as well, whose creator is world-renowned Academician-Architect Alexander Tamanyan. It is not a coincidence that Tamanyan was honored first place in 1937 in Paris, during the world architecture exhibition. Other than that, the theatre was founded during the hardest years of the Armenian people, when the nation was living in dire conditions. However, having an Opera theatre had a higher priority, regardless of the financial difficulties at the time. It is from here that rises every single Armenia’s famous opera piece, ballet, and colors from the stage. The newest cultural symbol of Armenia represents itself to us today in its complete form, with its classical beauty, grandiose stage, amphitheater with more than 1050 seats, as well as with its hallways. Armenia’s Opera Theatre’s curtains first opened on January 20 of 1933. The Armenian nation, that had 2000 year long history in theatre, managed to bring out to the world the peak of its era. Along with the three “A” operas, which are “Anush”, “Almast” and “Arshak II”, the theatre also became the main driving force for emerging composers. Here is where the Armenian Musical life is assembled. It has become, for more than 80 years, the glory of our musical culture, and for the foreigners an opportunity to visit Armenia. Tha Opera and Ballet Theatre, named after Alexander Spendiaryan, is the only one in the world that is determined to develop the art of Armenian opera and ballet. What confirmed this was Aram Khachaturyan’s presence with its “Spartacus” ballet. Currently the Opera is living the best times of its existence yet. Many world-renowned starts, creators of ballet can be found on stage. At the same time, Armenia’s stars of opera and ballet can also be found on various international stages, by presenting both Armenian and other well-known works and pieces. The proof lies in the brilliant presentation of Aram Khachaturyan’s “Gayane” ballet at the Mariinsky theatre in St. Petersburg, which world-renowned ballet critics praised. Today Armenia’s Opera and Ballet Theatre is taking practical steps to enlarge its playlist of both Armenian and International opera and ballet masterpieces, with the goal of representing them on Armenian stage.