World-famous Armenian tenor Gegham Grigoryan dies
Gegham Grigoryan, a prominent Armenian opera singer, stage manager and art director of the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, died Wednesday aged 65.
Worldwide tenor Gegham Grigoryan was born on 29 of January 1951.
He graduated from Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas the class of Armenian National artist,
Professor Sergey Danielyan. Grigoryan. He first appeared on stage in 1971, being 20 years old, in 1972 travelled to Western Berlin with a solo concert. He debuted on the stage of A. Spendiarian National academic theatre of Opera and Ballet in 1975 with Edgar’s vocal in Donizetti’s opera “Lucia de Lammermoor”. After that there were the roles of Saro (in “Anoush” by Tigranyan), Tirit (in “Arshak II” by Chukhajyan), Sayat Nova (in “Sayat Nova” by Harutyunyan), Count Almaviva (in “Seville barber” by Rossini), Faust (in “Faust” by Gounod).
By the 1970s he was already a well-known singer in post-Soviet countries. In 1978 he participated in Art Refinement school (Scuola di Perfizionamento Artistico) competition in the theatre «La Scala» of Milano and is among the 4 lucky young gpeople to continue his refinement in this school. During his education in Italy he participated in several concerts. In «La Scala» Grigoryan debuted playing the role of Pinkerton (in «Madame Butterfly» by Puccini). After this performance he signs a contract with «La Scala» on performing «Boris Godunov» and «Toska» operas. Alas, the soviet government prohibited him to perform there and on the whole they do not allow him to leave the Soviet territory for approximately 10 years.
In 1980 he was invited to Lithuania by the director and artistic director of the Opera Theatre of Lithuania Virgilijus Noreika to work there. In Vilnius he worked with renowned conductor Jonas Aleksa, singing in “Eugene Onegin”, “Don Carlos”, “Boris Godunov”, “Traviata”, “Madame Butterfly”, “Rigoletto” and in many other operas. Since 1989 by the invitation of Valeriy Gegiev Grigoryan is the leading soloist in Mariinsky Theatre.
Here Grigoryan enjoyed big success. At that time the Mariinsky Theatre was just starting to firm its position and Gegham Grigoryan had his huge impact in the organization and development of the theatre’s soloists’ company, what is always being recalled and appreciated by the head conductor and director of the Theatre Valeriy Gergiev. Until now Gegham Grigoryan’s beautiful and dramatic voice and marvelous performances are being recalled by the whole city of St.- Petersburg and throughout Russian Federation.
In 1990 Gegham Grigoryan was allowed to enter the world arena. This phase of Grigroyan’s career took its roots from his debut in“Concertgabouw” in Amsterdam. In 1993 he debuted in Covent Garden with the vocal of Lenskiy (from “Eugene Onegin” by Tchaikovsky”), and in 1995 in Metropolitan Opera – with the vocal of Herman (from “Queen of Spades” by Tchaikovsky).
Grigroyan has sung in all worldwide famous opera theatres and concert-halls:
Covent Garden (“Mazeppa”, “Eugene Onegin”), Metropolitan Opera (“Queen of spades”, “Aida”, “War and Peace”, “The Masked Ball”, “Prince Igor”, “Cavelleria Rusticana”, “Toska”), La Scala(“Madame Butterfly”, “The force of destiny”, “Boris Godunov”, “Khovanshchina”, “The queen of spades”, “War and Peace”), Teatro Colon Buenos Aires (“Fedora”, “Pagliacci”, “The cloak”, “Norma”),Teatro dell’ Opera di Roma (“Norma”, “Aida”, “The Masked Ball”, “Bohemia”, etc.), Berlin Staatsoper (“Prince Igor”, “Aida”, “The Troubadour”, “The Queen of Spades”).
Grigoryan has sung in New York, Washington, Tokyo, Paris, Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, Monte Carlo, Geneva, Florence, Japan, etc.
Since 1990 Grigoryan has been a permanent invitee to participate in numerous significant festivals: “Choregies d’Orange” (Orange, France), Summer Opera Season at the Baths of Caracalla (Teatro Dell’ Opera) (Rome, Italy), Ravenna Festival (Ravenna, Italy), Savonlinna Opera Festival (Savonlinna, Finland), Festival Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Florence, Italy), Puccini Festival ( Tore de Lago, Italy), Salzburg Festiva (Germany), etc. In 1989-96 was a member of the Tours Festival (France) art directors’ committee.
By the order of Philips Classics Records, Gegham Grigoryan has recorded in the following operas:
“War and Peace” by Prokofiev, “The Queen of spades” and “Iolanta” by Tchaikovsky, “Prince Igor” by Borodin, “Sadko” by Rimsky-Korsakov, “The force of destiny” by Verdi.
He acted in film-operas, such as “The Queen of Spades” (St.- Petersburg, “Mariinsky” theatre), “War and Peace” ( two productions – Mariinsky Theatre and Covent Garden, director – Grenvik, and Mariinsky, Metropolitan, La Scala, director – Kanchalovskiy), “Sadko”, “The force of destiny”, as well as “Almast” and “Norma”.
Grigroyan was declared as one of the best tenors of 20th century, and this list is lead by legendary Enrico Caruzo, Benimino Gigli, Franco Corelli.
He has performed all the most difficult parts composed for tenors (“Rigoletto” – 208 performances, “Aida” – 70 performances). He has collaborated with the most outstanding figures of the classical music, who have developed the history of classical music of 20-21stcenturies: Gyaurov, Mirella Freni, Leontyne Price, Grace Bumbry, Ghena Dimitrova, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Gergiev, Zubin Mehta, Luis, Levine, Bartholetti, Svetlanov, Richter. Directors: Grenvik, Kanchalovksi, Zeffirelli, Del Monaco and many others.
In year 2000 the president of the Republic of Armenia R. Kocharyan invited him to be the art director at the Armenian National Academic theatre of opera and ballet after A. Spendiarian. He conducted the theatre in this position until year 2007. During that years as a director Geghamyan staged in the theatre “Traviata” by Verdi, operas of Armenian composers, such as “Anoush” and “Davit Bek” by Tigranyan, “Arshak II” by Chukhujyan. The invited directors staged “Carmen”, “Norma”, “Aleko”, “The Troubadour” operas, and others. Concert performances were held, such as: “Iolanta” by Tchaikovsky, “Magic flute” and “Don Juan” by Mozart, “Tigran the Great” by Vivaldi. Ballets: Aram Khachaturian’s “Gayane”, “Eternity”, “St. Hripsime and Trdat” by Maviskalyan-Tchgnavoryan, Schedrin’s “Carmen Suite”, with the participation of the theatre company, Bellini’s film-opera “Norma” was filmed (director – Boris Hayrapetyan, Russia).
Gegham Grigoryan is a professor in Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas, he has students from different parts of the world: Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Georgia, USA, Canada, Syria, etc.
Videos
Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
- 15:20 • 24.05.21 Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
- 11:39 • 24.04.21 Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
- 09:40 • 23.04.21 Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
- 15:34 • 22.04.21 Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
- 14:09 • 21.04.21 'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
- 12:37 • 03.04.21 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
- 17:33 • 11.03.21 Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
- 17:57 • 26.01.21 Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
- 13:33 • 22.01.21 Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
- 09:42 • 29.12.20 UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
- 18:41 • 24.12.20 NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
- 13:33 • 31.10.20 Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
- 16:37 • 30.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
- 11:25 • 28.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
- 13:45 • 24.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
- 11:51 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
- 11:40 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
- 10:39 • 24.10.20 Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
- 12:41 • 23.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
- 12:16 • 23.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
- 12:02 • 22.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
- 10:35 • 22.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
- 10:51 • 17.10.20 Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
- 15:09 • 15.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
- 13:13 • 13.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
- 12:56 • 12.10.20 Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
- 12:23 • 12.10.20 Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
- 17:23 • 09.10.20 Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
- 15:53 • 09.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
- 14:11 • 09.10.20 Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
- 15:52 • 08.10.20 Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
- 10:57 • 08.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
- 14:24 • 07.10.20 War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
- 19:31 • 05.10.20 Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
- 16:17 • 04.10.20 Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
- 12:39 • 04.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
- 13:49 • 03.10.20 Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
- 10:12 • 29.09.20 ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
- 23:42 • 28.09.20 There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
- 18:45 • 28.09.20 EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
Most popular articles Today Yesterday For a week
-
Politics 10:36 • 13/11 Musk and Ramaswamy will head Department of Government Efficiency, Fox News host to head Pentagon Presidentelect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second administration “Together, these two wond
-
Economy 12:16 • 08/11 Ucom and Sunchild NGO install another solar plant in Areni "Establishing sustainable energy sources is critical for community development, providing immediate economic benefits and demonstrating the importance of local solutions," said Sona Kalantaryan, Director of SunChild NGO.
-
Politics 10:36 • 13/11 Musk and Ramaswamy will head Department of Government Efficiency, Fox News host to head Pentagon Presidentelect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second administration “Together, these two wond
Economy
-
12:16 • 08.11.24 Ucom and Sunchild NGO install another solar plant in Areni
Event
-
17:34 • 05.11.24 Ucom joins Armenian Internet Governance Forum as a platinum partner
Science/tech
-
14:18 • 08.05.24 AstraZeneca withdrawing Covid vaccine worldwide