Arshak II (opera)

A page from the opera's score.

Arshak II (Armenian: Արշակ Բ) is the first Armenian classical opera, written by Tigran Chukhajian and Tovmas Terzian in 1868. Its libretto is based on the historical accounts of King Arsaces II (Arshak II), written by the classical Armenian historians Movses Khorenatsi and Pavstos Buzand.

Arshak II is the first Armenian grand opera with choruses and ballets. It was first staged, in parts, in 1873. But it was not until November 29, 1945, when it was performed at the Armenian Opera Theater in Yerevan, earning it the USSR State Prize in 1946. In 2001, it was staged at the San Francisco Opera. Pavel Lisitsian, Mihran Yerkat, Tigran Levonyan were among the performers of Arshak's role.

Recordings

• Aria 'Arshak 's Arioso' on Arias of Love & Sorrow Gevorg Hakobyan (baritone), Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, John Fisher, Constantine Orbelian Delos 2023

Sources

• Arshak II