Ofelya Hambardzumyan

Ofelya Hambardzumyan
Background information
Birth name	Офе́лия Ка́рповна Амбарцумя́н Ofelya Karapeti Hambardzumyan
Born	January 9, 1925 Yervan, Armenia
Origin	Armenian
Died	June 13, 2016 (aged 91)
Genres	folk singer

Ofelya Karapeti Hambardzumyan (Armenian: Օֆելյա Կարապետի Համբարձումյան, January 9, 1925 – June 13, 2016) was an Armenian folk singer.^[1][2]

Biography

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 included classical Armenian music, ashoughakan, and folk songs. She was especially recognized for her interpretations of ashough Sayat-Nova's songs, including "Fahradn Mirats", "Yis Kanchum em Lalanin", and others. She 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.

Ofelya Hambardzumyan died on June 13, 2016.^[3]

Awards

People's Artist of Armenian SSR (1959)

Mesrop Mashtots Medal for significant contribution to Armenian song art^[4]

References

1. "Ofelya Hambardzumyan: Queen of Armenian Song". Armenian Diaspora Museum. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
2. "ՕՖԵԼՅԱ ՀԱՄԲԱՐՁՈՒՄՅԱՆ" [Ofelya Hambardzumyan]. AV Production. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
3. Ofelya Hambardzumyan dies at 91
4. Decree by President of the Republic of Armenia