Opera Staff Discusses Orbelyan's Dismissal

The staff of the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet has gathered to discuss the dismissal of the theatre's artistic director and director, Konstantin Orbelyan, by Acting Minister of Culture Nazeni Gharybjan.

It is noteworthy that news of Konstantin Orbelyan's termination became public yesterday.

In response to a journalist's question about who the new director of the opera theatre would be, Gharybjan stated that the announcement would be made on Monday, April 1.

"There is a person who is at a high level, and people like Nazeni Gharybjan have no right to approach him," declared director Narine Stepanyan, referring to the decision made by Acting Minister of Culture Nazeni Gharybjan to relieve Konstantin Orbelyan from his position.

According to her, something happening at the Opera is a disgrace for the republic, and the news of Konstantin Orbelyan's dismissal has resonated globally; people are upset and in shock.

Narine Stepanyan assured that under Maestro Konstantin Orbelyan's leadership, the opera theatre had flourished, although Nazeni Gharybjan had not attended any premieres, explaining that she was not in the country and was busy, which Stepanyan was reluctant to believe.

"Whoever comes will not have the momentum that Konstantin Orbelyan has," said Stepanyan, adding that the combination of the two positions (artistic director and director) dates back to the Soviet era. "The law should be changed, not to dismiss Konstantin Orbelyan a year after changing the law."