Azernews.Az

Muslim Magomayev, an opera and pop singer known across the former Soviet Union and beyond, passed away in Moscow on Saturday morning after a long illness.
Azeri-born baritone Magomayev, 66, had been suffering in the last years of his life from heart disease.
The farewell ceremony to the singer was bidden at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow on Tuesday. In Baku, this ceremony will take place on Wednesday at the State Philharmony bearing his grandfather`s name. On the same day, Magomayev will be laid to rest at the Alley of Honors in the Azerbaijani capital.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and Russia`s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have extended their condolences to Magomayev`s family.
Magomayev shot to fame in the former USSR after giving a concert at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow in 1962. He performed his first solo concert at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in November 1963. That same year, he became a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater and gained experience at the Milan-based La Scala theater in 1964-65.
Magomayev won a 1969 festival held in Sopote, Slovenia, and received the Golden Record award in Cannes. In 1973, he was named the people`s artist of the USSR and became the art director of the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra.
Magomayev starred in several films and wrote music for over 20 movies.
Until recently, Magomayev lived in Moscow, while making occasional tours abroad.
He was married twice. His daughter from the first marriage, Marina, lives in the United States. His second spouse was Tamara Sinyavskaya, a famous Russian opera singer.
Magomayev was once elected member of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani parliament).