"Arshin mal alan" operetta captivates Los Angeles viewers
By Nigar Orujova
Los Angeles hosted the premiere of outstanding Azerbaijani operetta "Arshin mal alan" ("The Cloth Peddler") by world-known Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli on September 7, Azertag state news agency reported.
One of the premier opera houses of the world, and one of the best concert halls in the Californian city, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, was full of theater fans. An audience of three thousand people bated their breath for over two hours watching the denouement of a love story full of songs and humor. The performance received a standing ovation.
It was the first time this unique musical comedy was performed in such a scale and form in the United States and in the English-speaking world overall.
The one-night performance was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the operetta, organized by Azerbaijan's Culture and Tourism Ministry, Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Los Angeles, and sponsored by the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR.
The operetta was performed by an American team and produced by famous director Michael Schnack. Actors diligently rehearsed for several months. They said the toughest part was to learn to sing in Azerbaijani, as the American opera singers sang in original Azerbaijani, with projected English translations, and speaking English.
James Judd, who played the musical comedy`s main character, Asgar, said it took them a long time to learn the words of arias.
"We've gone a long way to get here. Much was left from the original, but quite a bit was also added, as this piece is 100 years old," Judd said.
Asha Lindsey, who played the female part, Gulchohra, said she learned a lot about Azerbaijan`s history and culture, as well as about Islam, when she played in "Arshin mal alan" for the first time seven years ago.
"I have many Azerbaijani friends. I can tell much about this unique country. I know very well what my character wants. If Gulchohra lived now, she would have been very brave," Lindsey added.
Michael Schnack said the Americans have a different approach to tradition, especially in an artistic sense.
"Younger generations in America are open to changes. One of the reasons why Azerbaijan is of such interest to the Americans is that the West was once strongly influencing this Muslim country," Schnack said.
According to Azerbaijan`s Consul General Nasimi Aghayev, California is home to 1.5 million Armenians, with most of them living in Los Angeles. It was exactly Los Angeles where in 1937 the Armenians attempted to plagiarize this masterpiece by Hajibeyli and the premiere of the Azerbaijani operetta is a major propaganda tool.
"The Armenian lobby is carrying out active propaganda against us. In order to counter this we must make the truth about Azerbaijan known to the American society, and we are doing that. And the best way to do that is to promote Azerbaijan`s rich cultural legacy," he said.
Following the performance, the visitors exchanged their impressions. Some said they enjoyed the music, while others were amazed by the setting and the national costumes.
All costumes for the American premiere of the play were made in Baku.
Konul Velibeyli, Artistic Director of Baku House of National Clothing, says, "We made beautiful costumes. The last wedding scene will feature 20 actors playing in national costumes. The costumes are very bright. They fully reflect our national colors. It's a brilliant opportunity to show the world the beauty of Azerbaijan`s national clothing."
Kalma Blumber, a Los Angeles resident, said, "It`s fantastic. Amazing music, unique costumes, a very impressive story. I've discovered much about Azerbaijan and its history. It's a sensation."
Austrian Consul in Los Angeles Liliana Popova said that the music is great and breathtaking.
"My brother is a pianist. He worked with a symphonic orchestra in Baku, and I have many recollections of that time. And I`m very happy today. I`m really amazed by today`s performance."
The operetta will also be staged in Paris on September 17 and Strasbourg on September 19. The events will be organized by TURKSOY.
Considered to be the first of its kind in the entire Muslim world, the operetta was composed and staged by the founder of Azerbaijani opera and classical music composer and playwright Uzeyir Hajibeyli in 1913 in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.
Over the last 100 years, the operetta has been successfully performed in a plethora of languages in over 60 countries of the world, including Austria, France, China, Greece, India, Russia, and Turkey.