Alexander Spendiaryan with his father (Vienna, 1890)
From Al. Spendiaryan's autobiography
Childhood, adolescence
In 1882-1890 he got his secondary education in the Classic Gymnasium in Simferopol, he graduated from the gymnasium with silver medal. He sang in students’ choir and was actively engaged in musical life of the gymnasium.
In 1888 he composed his first romance -''I am attracted by your beauty'' and dedicated it to his first love Lisa Arendt.
The same year of graduation from the gymnasium he traveled whit his father. In Vienna opera theater for the first time in his life, he heard the performance of Carmen by the great and splendid symphonic orchestra.
From Al. Spendiaryan's autobiography