CONCERT HALLS & MUSIC VENUES

1930-1947

The building was designed in 1926-1936 as the People's House (architect: Alexander Tamanyan). The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 28, 1930.
Alexander Tamanyan gave the two-hall theater building an original and expressive embodiment. Initially, it was designed in the form of transformable winter (southern) and summer (northern) halls, each of which had its own stage, courtyard and amphitheater. If necessary, by removing the partition in advance, these two stages and halls were to be combined, forming an oval hall with a single stage for 3,000 spectators. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, as well as Tamanyan's death in 1936, the project for the possible connection of the two halls was not implemented.
The design of the theater building was awarded the Gold Medal (Grand Prix) at the 1937 Paris World Exhibition.
The construction of the building was carried out in two stages. In 1939, the part intended for the winter theater was completed, where the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater began operating in 1940. In 1953, the summer theater provided for in the project was completed, during the construction of which that part of the building was transformed into the Great Hall of the Armenian Philharmonic (architect Gevorg Tamanyan). Since 1979, it has been named after Aram Khachaturyan (now the "Aram Khachaturyan" Concert Hall).
In 1978-1980, the Opera and Ballet Theater section of the building, and in 1981-1983, the Grand Concert Hall section, were completely renovated (architects: Gevorg, Julios, Gayane Tamanyans). After the reconstruction, the Opera and Ballet Theater hall has 1200 seats, the Concert Hall - 1400 seats.
The Opera and Ballet Theater and Concert Hall building is unique in its unified and consistent volume, monumental and beautiful forms, harmonious proportions. The significance of the building for Armenian Soviet architecture is very important: the best traditions and viable forms of national architecture are applied here in such a way that they have acquired a new quality and contemporary resonance.