Tigran Ghukhajian has gone down in history as the founder of the Armenian national opera. Completed in 1868, his opera Arshak II, which has made his name famous, is based upon well-known historical material. Arshak II, the first Armenian opera in typical grand opera with choruses, ballet and numerous ensembles. Unfortunately Tigran Chukhajian did not have the chance to see his creation on stage in his life time. The opera was lost for many years. Nearly a century after its creation, the rehabiliated score of Arshak II was banded over to the Spendiarov opera and Ballet theater in Yerevan for production. The opera was presented for the first time on november 29, 1945. Arshak II is a gem of Armenian musical culture and it has continued to gracethe repertoire of the Yerevan Opera Theater. Cast: Arshak II - Mihran Yergat Parandzem - Gohar Galachyan Tirit - Dikran Levonian Terasdamat - Mirich Davityan Olympia - Gohar Gasparyan Nersess - Nar Hovhanessyan Spandarat - Robert Babouryan Vasak - Paleri Haroutiounyan Chorus & Orchestra of the Armenian State Theater of Opera & Ballet Aram Katanyan, conductor 1. ACT I. Scene 1. Arshak comes home from a war 2. ACT I. Scene 2. Price Tirit plots to kill Arshak II 3. ACT II. Scene 3. Arshak"s soldiers capture prince Tirit 4. ACT III. Scene 4. Arshak puts his wife, Olympia in jail 5. ACT III. Scene 5. Arshak pardons the traitors 6. ACT IV. Scene 6. Prince Spandart tries to poison Arshak