Koharik Şirinyan

Koharik Şirinian was born in Kumkapı quarter of Istanbul, Ottoman Empire, in 1860.[1][2]

Şirinyan stepped onto the stage in 1869. In 1874, she played a girl's role in the theatre of Güllü Agop (1840–1902). Her voice type was close to tenor. Between 1878 and 1880, she played singing male roles in operettas on the stage.[2] In 1879, Şirinyan appeared with Bayzur Fasulyeciyan and Tahuki Hiranuş Satenik on stage in Bursa, in the beginning in a garden theatre called "Melekzade".. As theatre was sanctioned in Istanbul by Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid II (reigned 1876–1909), Governor of Bursa Ahmed Vefik Pasha promoted it.[3] In 1882, she joined the Ottoman-Armenian Serovpe Bengliyan Operetta Group as soprano.[2] Şirinyan was one of the most important members of the Ottoman-Armenian Serovpe Bengliyan Operetta Group thanks to her superior ability.

Şirinyan performed in the operatta roles of the Fiorella in Jacques Offenbach's Les brigands, Charles Lecocq's Giroflé-Girofla and Fatma in Tigran Chukhajian's Leblebici hor-hor agha as well as the male role of Prince Miniapur in Mongol te Great. She took roles in almost all tragedies in the repertory of Bengliyan Operette Group.[1][2] After the Serovpe Bengliyan Group was disbanded, Şirinyan joined the Mardiros Minakyan Group in 1887. Şirinyan played in dramatic roles in Jacques Laurent's Frou-Frou and Georges Ohnet's Le Maître de forges. In the early 1900s, she was for a while with the Ottoman Comedy Group of Reşat Rıdvan Bey.[2]