Born in Moscow. She graduated from the harp department of the Central Music School attached to the Moscow State Conservatory. In 1965 she graduated from the vocal department of the M. Ippolitov-Ivanov Music College, and in 1969 from the Gnessin Musical-Pedagogical Institute (class of N. Verbova). In 1965-74 she sang in the early music ensemble “Madrigal”, and then for many years performed chamber works with her sister, Karine Lisitsian, as a soloist of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic. Their vocal duo won wide recognition in the Soviet Union and toured many countries of the world. In 1996-2002 Ruzanna Lisitsian taught at the Academy of Choral Art and at the Gnessin State Music College (associate professor from 2006, professor from 2010). In 1987 Ruzanna Lisitsian was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Armenian SSR, and in 1997 that of Honored Artist of Russia.
