In 1916 Spendiaryan sold his mansion in Yalta and moved to Sudak summerhouse with his family.
In the same year Spendiaryan left for Tiflis. Being in Caucasia for the first time, he got the opportunity to listen to Eastern melodies and melodies of Caucasian nations. Here he met the illustrious poet Hovh. Tumanyan. Getting familiar with the writer’s works the composer chose the poem "The Capture of The Fortress of Tmuk" as a subject for the opera. Returning to Sudak he started working on the opera "Almast". Libretto was written by Russian poet S. Parnok. Many artists united around the composer and very soon, the first act of the opera was heard in his study room.
During World War I and revolution years Spendiaryan was largely engaged in public activities in Sudak as well. He organized many concerts for the benefit of the people who suffered from the war.