Printed treasures

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.

Muslum Magomayev’s “Shah Ismail” opera has been composed in 1916. The mugham opera composed in 1915-1916 is consist of 6 acts and 7 scenes. The author of the libretto and text is composer Mirza Gadir Ismailzade.
The premiere of the opera was held on March 7, 1919 in Baku, with a benefit performance of Huseyngulu Sarabski. Muslim Magomayev was conductor and Huseyn Arablinski was director of the opera. Actors were: H.Sarabski - Shah Ismail, M.H.Teregulov - Aslan Shah and Huseynagha Hajibababeyov – Gulzar.

The second edition was created in 1924.
The premiere was held on December 3, 1924 in Baku, at Turk State Theatre. Muslim Magomayev was its conductor and A.A.Tuganov was the director. Actors were: Huseyngulu Sarabski - Shah Ismail, M.H.Teregulov - Aslan Shah and Khurshid Qajar – Gulzar. On November 20, 1929 the opera was again staged in Baku. And again Muslim Magomayev was its conductor. Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh was the director and S.S.Serejin and V.V.Roberg were artists. Actors were: H.A.Hajibababeyov - Shah Ismayil and Khurshid Qajar – Gulzar.
In 1930, the third edition of the opera was created. Its premiere was held in Baku, in 1947. Ahad Israfilzade was conductor of the opera.

The premiere of Fikret Amirov’s “Sevil” opera has been held in 1953. The lyric-psychological opera in 4 acts has been composed based on well-known Azerbaijani playwright Jafar Jabbarli’s drama with the same name. Tale Eyyubov has composed the libretto in Azerbaijani language.
In 1955 the second, in 1959 the third editions of the opera have been created. The opera has been dedicated to the freedom of Azerbaijani women. The plot of the opera is consist of events happening in Baku in 1918-1919. The 4th act describes the events happening ten years later.

On 16 March 2011 the opera has been performed in Azerbaijan State Academic National Opera and Ballet Theatre during “The Mugham World” International Festival. The roles were performed by: Garina Karimova-Sevil, Azer Zeynalov-Balash and Chinare Shirin-Dilbar. The opera was staged by Hafiz Guliyev.