Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

A masterpiece play “Leili and Majnun” by national genius Uzeir Hajibeyli was staged at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku.

It was performed by young and talented players - Arzu Aliyeva (role Leili) and Elnur Zeynalov (Mejnun) - and warmly applauded by the audience.

“This is very heartening that the theatre absorbs young and talented people and gives them an opportunity to express themselves on a famous stage. Due to this move, the theatre has today young, bright and talented vocalists and Mugam performers,“ said famous khanende Mansum Ibrahimov. “Arzu and Elnur made their best today. Besides, they deal with a very sophisticated vocal, the couple was remembered with their acting skills, creating amazing images of Leili and Majnun.”

Ibrahimov also praised other players noting that the play was very successful.

The first opera to a libretto by the eminent composer Uzeir Hajibeyli, based on the tragedy of Fizuli “Leili and Majnun” is the first opera not only in Azerbaijan, but also the entire Muslim East.

Director of the play is honored artist Hafiz Guliyev, artist and producer is Rafiz Ismailov.

Choirmaster is Sevzikhan Serderov, choreographer-Yulana Alikishizada, head of the play- Ismail Alekberov, conductor-Sevil Hajiyeva.

Cast: Jahangir Gurbanov (Nofel), Tayyar Bayramov (Ibn Salam), Aytan Maharramova (Leili’s mother), Nizami Bagirov (Leili’s father) and others.

The most popular version of this love story "Leyli and Majnun" was penned by Nizami Ganjavi (1141-1209), who lived and died in Ganja, an ancient city in Azerbaijan where his shrine stands today. He wrote in Persian as was the literary custom of the day though few Persians today grant that Nizami was of Azeri ethnicity.

Uzeir Hajibeyli was an Azerbaijani and conductor, publicist, playwright, teacher and social figure. He is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani classical music and opera.

In 1908, Hajibeyov wrote his first opera, Leyli and Majnun, based on the tragic love story.

Hajibeyli composed the national anthem of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (which was re-adopted after Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991).

He sought for new ways to merge and integrate the past with the present. When Russian-influenced musicians tried to ban traditional Azerbaijani instruments like the Tar, Zurna and Kamancha, Hajibeyli and his colleagues pushed to incorporate them into the Western orchestra, thereby, giving them an even higher status and ultimately a chance to survive.