Ay Garner (from "Siamanto And Khjezare" Romance)

Ofelya Hambardzumyan was born in Yerevan. She studied at Yerevan Music College after R. Melikian, the class of H. Musinian. Ofelya Hambardzumyan was invited to Radio of Armenia into the Folk Instruments Ensemble directed by Aram Merangulyan where she performed Armenian folk and ashugh songs. From 1944 she was a soloist at Folk Instruments Ensemble of Radio and TV of Armenia. She mostly performed works by Sayat-Nova, Farhad, Miskin Burji, Jivani, Sheram and Havasi. She had concerts in CIS cities and Armenian populated countries. In 1959 Ofelya Hambardzumyan was awarded with People’s Artist of Armenia, in 1956 Badge of Honor, in 1985 Order of the Red Banner of Labor and Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots in 2011. She died in Yerevan.