Layla and Majnun opera

Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s “Layla and Majnun” opera- “The first mugam opera” was first performed in 1908. The opera has been composed based on Muhammad Fizuli's poem “Layla and Majnun”. The author of the libretto is Uzeyir Hajibeyli.
It was first performed on January 12, 1908 in Baku at the theatre which belonged to the philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev.
In the first performance of the opera the people participated in who later became famous culture and public figures of Azerbaijan. Kurban Pirimov performed on tar who later became well-known tar player. Huseyngulu Sarabski represented Majnun. The composer played in the violin group of the orchestra. Layla role was performed by a man who was a tea-room worker.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli preferred Fuzuli’s “Layla and Majnun” poem and the genres of folk music and this positively influenced the work to be accepted by the society.
All the musical parts of “Layla and Majnun” opera have been composed by the author himself except mugham. Only one Azerbaijani folk song has been used. There is specific rhythmics belonging to every character of the opera.
According to the decree of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic 100 year-anniversary of the opera has been officially celebrated in 2008 in our country. “Layla and Majnun” opera became a part of “Silk Road” project with the participation of famous violoncello master Yo-Yo Ma performing with traditional eastern musical instruments and well-known mugham singer, People’s artist Alim Qasimov and his daughter Farghana Qasimova. The consultant of the project was musicologist, Professor of India University and Baku Music Academy Aida Huseynova. On November 23, 2008 in Doha, the capital city of Qatar the world premiere of “Layla and Majnun” opera with multimedia arrangement was held with participation of western and eastern musicians and the performance of Yo-Yo Ma ensemble.