Mets Banasteghts (The Great Poet)

Shara Talyan was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. From 1901 to 1913, Talyan studied at the Nersisyan School in Tbilisi. From the age of 13, he was a soloist in the school’s choir. Talyan’s first solo concerts were held in 1911 (in Shulaver) and in 1912 (in Tiflis). Talyan founded the folk ensemble "Armenian Ashughs." From 1932 to 1933 he participated in the founding of the Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theater. In 1938 Talyan organized a new ensemble, named after Sayat-Nova. In 1942 the musical comedy theatre group, created through his efforts, staged Armenia's first musical comedies. Talyan was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Armenian SSR, the State Prize of the Soviet Union. Talyan died in Yerevan.