Ofelya Hambardzumyan dies at 91 (video)
People’s Artist of Armenia SSR Ofelya Hambardzumyan has passed away at the age of 91. She was born in Yerevan, Armenia SSR on January 9, 1925. From a young age, she was recognized for her beautiful voice. She underwent vocal training at Romanos Melikyan Musical College. In 1944, she became a solo-singer for the Ensemble of Folk Instruments of the Radio of Armenia, where she dedicated her efforts to the ensemble headed by Aram Merangulyan. Her repertoire includes classical Armenian music, ashoughakan, and folk songs. She is especially recognized for her interpretations of ashough Sayat-Nova's songs, including "Fahradn Mirats", "Yis Kanchum em Lalanin", and others. She has also performed the music of Fahrad, Jivani, Sheram. In addition, she performed the songs of her contemporary ashughs, Shahen, Havasi, and Ashot; she was often the first performer of these songs. In 1959, she was awarded the People's Artist of the USSR. In 2011 Hambardzumyan was awarded the "Mesrob Mashtots" Medal.
