OPERA is a musical-dramatic art form. It was formed in XVI-XVII centuries, in Italy. "Arshak II" is the first Armenian national classical opera written by Tigran Tchouhajian in Constantinople, 1868. Tigran Tchouhadjian wrote operettas and comic operas as well. Komitas was deeply interested in operas. “Shushan” opera (unfinished) by Ch. Kara-Murza was based on rural theme and national melodiousness.

“Anoush” by A. Tigranyan was staged in 1912 (based on the homonymous poem by Hovhannes Tumanyan). See more.