Muslim Magomayev commemorated in Moscow
Representatives of the Russian office of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress and Muslim Magomayev Foundation have held a commemorative ceremony for great Azerbaijani musician, people`s artist of Azerbaijan and USSR Muslim Magomayev in Moscow.
The ceremony participants laid a wreath and flowers at a monument to Magomayev near the Azerbaijani embassy, AzerTag state news agency reported.
Speakers at the ceremony highlighted the life and career of the outstanding musician.
Magomayev became famous around the USSR at the age of 19 after a stellar performance at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Later, he became known in Europe after a successful performance at the Youth Festival in Helsinki, Finland.
During the mid-1960s, he perfected his vocals skills and took trainings in the La Scala Opera Theater in Milan.
The study in Italy was highly beneficial for young singer and also affected his inner world. Magomayev remained among the main supporter of the Italian school of singing through his life.
Magomayev splendidly sang the leading arias of Figaro, Scarpia, Mephisto, Onegin. However, his success in popular music interfered with his opera career.
He was the winner of the International Song Competition in Sopot, Poland and also won the first "Golden Disc" at the Cannes Music Festival with 4.5 million of his records sold that year in 1969.
At age of 30, Magomayev was one of the youngest recipients of the highest artistic title, People's Artist of the USSR. He also received numerous awards for his contribution to opera and popular music in the Soviet Union.
Magomayev died of a heart failure in Moscow on October 25, 2008 and was laid to rest in Baku.
Baku and Moscow were native cities for Magomayev, where he spent many happy years of his life. Some traditional music festivals to commemorate the brilliant singer are held annually in these cities.