by Elise Adourian
August 2, 2019
The room bloomed with music as Asmik Grigorian performed at the Yerevan Opera. Every moment seemed delicate enough to break as the melody drifted through the air. Asmik Grigorian is a famous singer who has performed in many different countries since 2011. She graduated from the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art in 1999 in Vilnius, and later graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre with a masters degree in 2006 at the age of 25. She has been awarded the Golden Stage Cross award, the highest Lithuanian theatre award, twice.
This international, established, almost magical singer was now standing on the stage of the Yerevan Opera, completely absorbed in her spellbinding music. Asmik Grigorian unleashed her remarkable voice standing on the very stage in the very opera that her father, Gegham Grigoryan, another famous opera singer, had been the artistic director of for seven years. Unfortunately, Gegham Grigoryan passed at the young age of 65, unable to grace any more crowds with his astounding voice.
The Yerevan Opera, also known as the Armenian National Academic of Opera and Ballet named after Alexander Spendarian, was officially open on January 20, 1933 with the performance of Alexander Spendarians opera Almast. Designed by Alexander Tamanian, the Yerevan Opera overlooks Freedom Square, where kids and adults can enjoy bike rides, scooter rides, and much more (though this can be annoying if you’re dressed fancy and about to see an opera). The Yerevan Opera is made up of two concert halls, one larger than the other. Aram Khachaturian Hall consists of 1,400 seats, while Alexander Spendarian (yet again) consists of 1,200 seats.
One of the most famous operas performed at the opera is the Anoush opera, composed by Armen Tigranian. Anoush Opera is composed of five parts and is based off a poem by Hovhannes Tumanyan in 1892. Anoush Opera is considered to be the first opera based off of Armenian folk lore and culture. To learn more about the Anoush Opera, click the following link.
Photos from the opera I attended… 
Image credits:
https://images.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2016/82/159951590_1458786060.jpg
https://images.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2016/82/159951590_1458786060.jpg
Links of interest:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gegham_Grigoryan
Elise, I loved your description of Asmik’s performance! Your opening line about the room “blooming” with music was so delightful, and really allowed the reader to envision the effect the music elicited. What a fun experience for you! Thanks for taking us along with your blog post!