Rafael Mangasaryan

Born in Tiflis. In 1951 he graduated from the string department of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, in the class of Karp Dombaev, and in 1963 from the conducting department, in the class of Mikayel Maluntsyan. In 1966-85 he was principal conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Armenian Radio and Television, and from 1972 also its artistic director. From 1951 he taught at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and was artistic director and conductor of its opera studio (professor from 1977). 1985-86: artistic director and principal conductor of the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1979 R. Mangasaryan was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Armenian SSR, and in 1983 the State Prize of the Republic of Armenia. He died in Yerevan.