Arshak II (opera)

It was staged in full for the first time in 1945 at the Yerevan Opera Theater, albeit with a new libretto written by Armen Gulakian, rearrangement of parts of the score, and changes to the instrumentation; correspondingly, music historian Nikoghos Tahmizian calls this version a new edition of the opera.

[1] Arshak II was Chukhajian's debut work and the first Armenian grand opera, which used a large performing ensemble, a symphony orchestra, a chorus, soloists and a brass band.

Performers of Arshak's role include Pavel Lisitsian, Mihran Yerkat, and Tigran Levonyan.

Participants in the 1945 staging, conductor Mikayel Tavrizyan, director Armen Gulakian, and Shara Talian (Arshak), received the USSR State Prize in 1946.

[1] In 1988, Tigran Levonyan directed an opera film of Arshak II, also portraying the lead role.

[3] In 2001, it was staged at the San Francisco Opera,[4] using an Armenian translation of Terzian's Italian libretto and Chukhajian's original score, prepared by Haig Avakian and Gerald Papasian.

Among those present is the beautiful princess Parandzem, who beseeches Arshak to allow her betrothed, Gnel, to return from exile.

Arshak refuses and confesses his love to Parandzem, promising her glory and the queenship and ordering her to remain in the palace.

Gnel, who has secretly returned from exile, meets with his friend and relative Prince Vaghinak to conspire against Arshak.

By the isolated tower where Olympia is held prisoner, Vaghinak bids farewell to the other princes and promises to return soon with an army to overthrow Arshak.

Olympia's murder prompts the princes opposed to Arshak to rise up against the king, whom they attack and kill.

Arshak opens a secret passage in the palace hall, through which he and Parandzem see the conspirators: the noblemen, Spandarat, and Queen Olympia.

Nerses promises to pacify the conspirators and bring tranquility to the country through the power of faith.

Just as Arshak raises the cup to his mouth, Olympia rushes to him and begs him not to drink the wine, as it is poisoned.

Olympia dies, and Arshak orders his men to seize Spandarat and force him to drink the poisoned wine.