The late Konstantin Orbelyan
BY ANI GASBARYAN
Of Yerevan’s 25 music and art schools, the Malatia Art School was the only one not named after a famed artist. That changed on February 13, when the Yerevan Council of Elders approved a proposal to rename the venerable institution after the late Konstantin Orbelyan. A world-renowned pianist, composer, and conductor of the State Pops Orchestra of Armenia, Orbelyan held the prestigious titles of People’s Artist of USSR and People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia. He passed away in 2014.
Although the newly renamed Konstantin Orbelyan Art School will be officially inaugurated in June of this year, with a grand opening ceremony and recital at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall, it is already operating under its new name — as proudly indicated by a banner placed near the entrance of the campus. On March 26, the renamed school held its maiden public event, in celebration of World Theater Day. Featuring RA Honored Artist Evelina Shahiryan and her daughter, Naira Shahiryan, both actresses, the event comprised an extraordinary theatrical presentation which carried classical and modern themes, as well as a spirited dhol performance. The event concluded with a candid conversation with the actresses.
Evelina Shahiryan and her daughter, Naira Shahiryan with Arina Manukyan
The Malatia Art School was founded in 1972 as a music school. However, in 1999, it was transformed into a full-fledged art school, complete with dance, fine-arts, and theater departments, in response to growing popular demand for a significantly expanded curriculum. Today, rechristened Konstantin Orbelyan Art School, the beloved institution has around 300 students and 53 staff members.
Arina Manukyan has been working at the school since 1990, and has served as its vice principal since 1997. Full of vigor and as ever passionate about artistic excellence, she is widely regarded as the heart and soul of the school. Manukyan says the idea of renaming the campus after Konstantin Orbelyan came to her following the death of the famous musician. In fact, on the very day that Orbelyan’s funeral was held, she approached his nephew, Constantine Orbelian, the General and Artistic Director of the Yerevan Opera House, to discuss her proposal of renaming the school.
Students performing during the school’s maiden event
As Manukyan recalls, Maestro Orbelian absolutely loved the idea and promised to visit the school within days. “To be honest, I was afraid that the maestro wouldn’t come and he would forget about our proposal,â€
