Im Hayastan (My Armenia)

Born in Gyamrez village (Kotayk region). From 1936-39 he studied at Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan (teacher N. Kardyan) and from 1940-41 at Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory (teacher K. Dorlyak). In 1934 he joined the Armenian State Choir, and became a soloist in 1939. From 1949-50 he was sent to Moscow for training at Bolshoi Theatre. From 1941 he worked at the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after A. Spendiaryan. In 1951 he was awarded the USSR State Prize. He received the Order of the Red Banner. In 1947 he was named Honored Artist of Armenia and in 1956 he received the honorary title of People's Artist of Armenia. He died in Yerevan.