Ashugh's Aria (from "Almast" Opera)

Born in Yerevan. During his school years he moved with his family to Kirovakan (now Vanadzor), where he studied at secondary school No. 4. In 1953-61 he studied in the opera singing department of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, in the class of Tamar Melik-Shahnazaryan. In 1956 he was invited to work at the A. Spendiaryan State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yerevan. In 1963 he won first prize at the All-Union Competition of Tenors and went to Milan together with the top 5 singers. In 1964-67 he trained in Milan under maestro G. Bari. From 1967 he worked as a soloist at the A. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yerevan. From 1981 to 2005 he lived and worked in Austria and taught at the Vienna Conservatory. In 1983 he appeared with the world-famous opera singer Montserrat Caballé in V. Bellini's opera “Norma”. In 2002 he gave a concert in Armenia with his son, the opera singer, tenor Armen Mirakyan. From 2005 he lived and worked in the USA. In 1976 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia. He was awarded the Komitas Medal. He died in Los Angeles.