Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

The symphony orchestra of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater performed at the closing gala concert of the Gut Immling opera festival, which was held in Germany on August 8-13.

The orchestra, which was conducted by Azerbaijani People's Artist, professor Javanshir Jafarov, as well as art director and chief conductor of the Gut Immling opera festival Cornelia von Kerssenbrock, performed works of Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Gara Garayev and Fikret Amirov along with the creations of foreign composers such as Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Bizet and others.

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture and Tourism supported the participation of the Symphony Orchestra at the festival. The orchestra was officially invited to participate in the event by the head of the festival Ludwig Baumann.

Cornelia von Kerssenbrock, speaking after the festival, expressed her admiration with the talent of Azerbaijani musicians, thanked Minister of Culture Abulfaz Garayev and Director of the Opera and Ballet Theatre Akif Melikov, and noted the enormous attention that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva pay to the development and promotion of Azerbaijani culture.

The Azerbaijani Symphony Orchestra, which is participating in the festival for the fifth time, has consistently received positive reviews from the organizers, as well as music critics and German media.

One of the most prestigious European festivals of opera, which is performed annually in Germany, brought together opera stars, conductors and directors from 34 countries of Europe, as well as the United States, Latin America and Japan this year. Various performances and concerts took place with full house and were largely covered in the media in Germany and other European countries.

The invitation of the Azerbaijani symphony orchestra to Germany to participate in such a prestigious festival for the fifth time is clear indication of the high professional level of the orchestra and the academic art of Azerbaijan.

Initiated in 1997 by bass-baritone opera singer Ludwig Baumann, the festival is held in Bavaria. Every year, newly composed operas along with classic works by Mozart, Puccini or Verdi are staged. In addition to performances, introductory workshops and art exhibitions are organized.