Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

A concert marking the 200th anniversary of world-famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi took place at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall in Baku on May 24.

The event featured compositions by Verdi performed by the Uzeyir Hajibayli Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Rauf Abdullayev and the Azerbaijan State Choir Capella conducted by Gulbaji Imanova.

The soloists included Azerbaijani People's Artist Ali Asgarov (bass), Honorary Artists Zemfira Ismayilova (soprano), Sabina Asadova (mezzo-soprano), Farida Mammadova (soprano), Nigar Jabiyeva (soprano), and Adil Akhundov (tenor).

Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian romantic composer primarily known for his operas. Verdi is considered the most influential composer of operas of the 19th century, and he dominated the Italian scene after Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini.

"Oberto" was Verdi`s first opera, written over a period of four years and it was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, in 1839.

His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have taken root in popular culture; the works include "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto, "Libiamo ne` lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La Traviata, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, the "Coro di zingari" from Il trovatore and the "Grand March" from Aida.