At the age of 15-16, young Chukhajyan attracted the attention of the musical community with his piano performances. Later, composer G. Yeranyan helped him to develop his musical abilities. Professional musical education began under the guidance of the italian pianist K. Manzoni, with whom Chukhajian studied piano and music theory for years.

1861-1864 – On the advice of the K. Manzoni, he went to study in Milan.

1872 – became the founder of the Armenian musical theater

1877 – founded the “Ottoman Opera Theater”, which was later renamed the “Armenian Troupe of Turkish Operetta”

Collaborated with the “Gusanergakan” theater

Was the musical director of the “Eastern Theater” of H. Vardovyan

1891-1892 – was in Paris, where his operettas were staged (the French press called him the “Eastern Offenbach”)

1896 – due to the strengthening of anti-Armenian sentiments, moved to Izmir.

Operettas.

“Arif” (1872, republished in 1873, based on “The Inspector” by N. Gogol)

“Arif” is the 1st operetta in the history of the East (libretto by G. Rshtuni (in Turkish)).

1872/12/09 – was first staged at the H. Vardovyan Theater.

After the premiere, the famous Turkish poet and journalist N. Kemal wrote in the “Ibret” newspaper:
This is the first work in our language. Its structure is beautiful and its music is wonderful. The Turkish language is suitable for musical works. The composition is given a form corresponding to its lyrics. We support G. Agop – the founder of the Ottoman Theater, the authors of the lyrics and music of the operetta, Alberto and Tigran Chukhajyan for their efforts, and the actors for the masterful production.

 

“Kese Kehva” (1873)

“Kese Kehva” operetta (“The Bald Headman”), libretto by G. Rshtuni

1873 – staged at the H. Vardovyan Theater. Initially staged more than 60 times.

 

“Leblebidzhi” (1875)

“Leblebidzhi” (“The Pea Seller”) is the most famous operetta (libretto by T. Nalyan).

The work combines features of everyday comedy and social satire of the bourgeois-aristocratic society of the 19th century.

1875/11/17 – the premiere took place at the “France” Theater. The performance was staged in Turkish to bypass official censorship, although the libretto of the operetta was translated into Armenian during Chukhajyan’s lifetime. After the first performance, the operetta was a huge success. It was staged more than 100 times in Constantinople and Transcaucasia.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the operetta was translated into Greek and German.

“Leblebidzhi” was presented on various stages in France, Egypt, the Balkans, and the Middle East, bringing public recognition to the author.

1943 – T. Saryan staged the operetta in Armenia for the first time. At the same time, a new title for the work was proposed – “Karine”.

2011 – the operetta was presented at the famous Odeon Theater in Marseille. According to the “Oxford Dictionary of Opera”, Chukhajyan’s operettas reflect the Armenian life and customs of that time.

 

Operas:

“Arshak II” (1868)

“Arshak II” is the 1st Armenian national opera (libretto in Armenian and Italian by T. Terzyan).

The main characters are the King of Great Armenia – Arshak II, Queen Olympia, Princess Parandzem, Prince Gnel, Tirith and others. The plot, taken from Armenian history, is based on information provided by ancient Armenian historians M. Khorenatsi and P. Buzand. The action takes place in Armavir in 365-367 BC, during the period of complex relations between Armenia, Persia and Rome. In terms of genre, “Arshak II” belongs to the European class of “Grand opera”, which involves a large symphonic orchestra, choir, brass band, and crowd scenes.

1869/03/10 – Chukhajian intended to stage the opera in its entirety, but due to the unfavorable conditions of the Ottoman Empire and the lack of necessary material resources, the intention was not realized. During the author’s lifetime, separate parts of the opera were performed at concerts in Constantinople, Venice and Paris.

1873 – seperate parts of the opera were presented at the Vienna International Exhibition.

1920 – After Chukhajian’s death, his widow A. Abazyan sent the composer’s manuscripts to Armenia.

1942 – the manuscripts were discovered by musicologist G. Tigranov

1945/11/09 – the opera was presented to the general public in its entirety.

1956 – it was staged at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.

2001 – it was staged in the USA.

The musical director of the San Francisco Opera, musicologist K. Crann wrote about “Arshak II”.

With its unprecedented palace coups, assassination attempts and love conflict, the opera “Arshak II” gives everything one can expect from a real drama.

 

“Indiana” (app. 1875)

“Indiana” is one of the most famous operas by Chukhajyan (libretto by H. Yazicyan based on the work by A. Hamid).

By genre, “Indiana” is a patriotic opera. The manuscripts of the opera are kept in the Yerevan Museum of Literature and Art, in the Chukhajyan archive. The opera has also been studied by musicologists G. Stepanyan and M. Muradyan.

 

“Zemire” (1890)

“Zemire” is the last large-scale opera by Chukhajyan (libretto by T. Kelimdjyan)

The opera consists of 4 acts. The plot is based on an Arabian fairy tale. Its original title is “Ebudia e Zemire”.

The opera includes elements of comedy and belongs to the genre of semiseria (i.e. “semi-serious”). “Zemire” is a touching love story with a fantastic plot, where there are such characters as mystical creatures and the all-powerful Great Magician. The main characters are: the daughter of the chief of the tribe Benezar – Zemire, the Great Magician – Ebudia, the son of the chief of the tribe Ebulgan – Elsantur and others.

1981/04/12 – was first shown at the French theater “Concordia”.

A few years later, for the European premiere, it was translated into Italian.

1894 – according to some sources, it was staged by an Italian theater company and Tommaso Franchini at the French theater “Palais de Cristal”.

1965 – B. Sakkilari staged seperate parts of the opera in Yerevan.

2008 – was staged in the USA.

 

Symphonic works.

“Gavotte” for violin, cello, piano and harmonium

“4 Fugues” for string orchestra and quartet

 

Theatrical music.

“Rose and Lilium” by P. Duryan

“Ara Geghetsik or love and homeland” by T. Gelemchyan

“Sandukht” by T. Terzyan

“Trdat the Great and Grigor the Illuminator” by S. Tkhlyan

“Vardan Mamikonyan, savior of the Fatherland” by R. Sefejyan

“We are the children of the Armenian people” by E. Barvart

 

Romances.

“Spring” (by M. Peshiktashlyan)

“March of the Zeytunts” (proposed by A. Khachaturyan as a version of the anthem of the Armenian SSR)

 

Piano works.

“Ave Maria”

Toccata “Cascade de couz” (published in Constantinople in 1887)

“Perpetuum mobile”

“Illusion (waltz)”

“Apres la gavotte”

“Two Eastern Fantasies”

“Eastern Lyre”

“Laura”

“Rapelle-toi”

“Romans”

Order of the Lion and the Sun

Order of Saint Stanislaus

4th class, Order of the Medjidie