Conductor and composer Loris Tchgnavoryan’s two-act opera Rostam and Sohrab premiered at the Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Yerevan, with the maestro himself in attendance.

Tchgnavoryan shared that he had been inspired since childhood by the Persian epic Rostam and Sohrab by classical author Ferdowsi.

“I’ve loved the story of Rostam and Sohrab since I was a child. I always wanted to compose an opera based on it, but I lacked the strength. After graduating from the Vienna Academy, I returned to Iran and began this project in 1961. Sixty-five years passed before it was staged. The idea came 65 years ago, and it’s finally realized 65 years later.

I wrote eight versions. When I started composing in Iran, I felt the need to consult a great master. I decided to go to Strasbourg to meet the internationally acclaimed composer Carl Orff. When I met him, he listened to parts of the opera and offered me the opportunity to stay in Strasbourg and finish it. I was a student and couldn’t afford to stay, but he told me the expenses for a year had already been covered. He said: go, sit down, write the opera. Incredible, isn’t it? It was a difficult opera,” he said, according to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MoESCS).

Although the opera had been performed in concert form several times in Vienna, England, Mexico, and Armenia, it had never been fully staged—until now.

“I’m happy that it is finally being performed,” said the maestro.

The production was directed and choreographed by Iranian artist Yarta Yaranin, who presented the tragic confrontation between father and son—Rostam and Sohrab—through a minimalist yet emotionally powerful staging.

Arman Arakelyan portrayed Rostam, Honored Artist of Armenia Perch Karazyan played Sohrab, Lusine Makaryan took on the role of Tahmineh, and Roman Khnkoyan appeared as Ferdowsi.

The premiere was attended by Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, as well as Deputy Ministers Daniel Danielyan and Artur Martirosyan.

The Minister also met with Maestro Loris Tchgnavoryan and the production’s creative team to congratulate them on the premiere. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, was also present.