BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 19. A masterpiece of world classical music, the ballet of the outstanding Azerbaijani composer Arif Melikov (1933–2019), "The Legend of Love" has been solemnly staged again in the author's homeland after more than 60 years, Trend reports.
This great event in the cultural life of Azerbaijan took place on the stage of the Heydar Aliyev Palace on National Music Day, at the opening ceremony of the XV Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
Ballet lovers were looking forward to this masterpiece that conquered the whole world. The performance of "The Legend of Love" was the best gift for the audience on National Music Day.
In addition, before the show, the guests viewed with great interest banners with posters of the play, which was staged in different years in prestigious theaters around the world. Guests could also view banners with photos of Arif Melikov, reflecting his creative path.
The event was attended by Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov, Head of the Department for Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism and Religion of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Farah Aliyeva, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, state and public figures, representatives of culture and science, creative intelligentsia and youth, diplomatic missions.
Numerous guests from different countries around the world came to see the "Legend of Love". Among them is the artistic director of one of the largest and most famous concert venues in Italy "Arena di Verona" Stefano Trespidi, the founder of the world-famous factory for the production of grand pianos. Fazioli Paolo Fazioli, the famous ballet dancer, and People's Artist of Russia Nikolay Tsiskaridze (one of the performers of the role of Farhad in "The Legend of Love" on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia)
People's Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan, Professor, Rector of the Hajibeyov Baku Academy of Music, famous pianist, composer Farhad Badalbeyli, and director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, People's Artist of Azerbaijan, world-famous opera singer Yusif Eyvazov were invited to the stage before the ballet performance.
In his speech, Farhad Badalbeyli stressed that the cultural community has been waiting for the performance of the ballet "Legend of Love" on the Azerbaijani stage for a long time.
"Arif Malikov dreamed that this ballet would be shown in Azerbaijan. Finally, it happened, we will see this masterpiece on the Azerbaijani stage on National Music Day. I express my deep gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. The ballet show is also a bright gift for the XV Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival. A lot of work was done, the whole group worked day and night to perform this ballet for us," Farhad Badalbeyli said.
In addition, Yusif Eyvazov noted that there are many foreign guests in the auditorium. The People's Artist of Azerbaijan stressed that "The Legend of Love" is the wonderful music of the great composer Arif Malikov, the amazing choreography of the brilliant Yury Grigorovich and the magnificent design of the famous artist Simon Virsaladze. Ballet is part of the treasury of world art and continues to conquer the hearts of millions to this day.
After the performances of the guests, the ballet began. "The Legend of Love" has such an attractive, magical effect that the audience literally did not take their eyes off the stage. The music, choreography, storyline, scenery, costumes and, of course, the movements, the impetuosity of the jumps, and the incredible charisma of the ballet dancers made the performance very effective.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has prepared more than 200 costumes, as well as decorations and props based on the original sketches of the artist Simon Virsaladze.
Soloists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble, as well as soloists invited from foreign theaters performed in "The Legend of Love".
The role of Princess Mehmene Banu was performed by the leading soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, laureate of international ballet competitions Ayan Eyvazova, the role of Farhad was performed by the premier of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, laureate of international ballet competitions Denis Rodkin, and Shirin was performed by the leading soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, laureate of international ballet competitions Maria Vinogradova.
The music was performed by the Hajibeyov Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the People's Artist, Professor Yalchin Adigezalov.
The performance was staged by the famous choreographer Yury Grigorovich, with stage design by the famous artist Simon Virsaladze. The choreographers of the premiere performance in Baku were Yury Grigorovich's assistants - the chief choreographer of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist of Russia Ruslan Pronin and Oksana Tsvetnitskaya.
During the intermissions, the audience shared their impressions with great pleasure and talked about how they were fascinated by the composer's music, how filigree the choreography is, and the smooth movements of the ballet dancers.
Among the honored guests of the event was the People's Artist of Russia, famous ballet dancer Nikolay Tsiskaridze. Tsiskaridze is one of the performers in the role of Farhad in "The Legend of Love" at the Bolshoi Theater in Russia.
"I was one of the main performers in this performance on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in Russia. It was impossible to get a role in the ballet "The Legend of Love." On the one hand, it was a very professional performance, and on the other, it was a performance where only the most famous stars performed. When I was assigned to play the role at a very young age, it was a great motivation for me. I was lucky enough to dance this role several times, not only with the choreographer but also with the composer," said Tsiskaridze.
I came to Baku because of my love for the unique composer Arif Malikov. I think this is one of the greatest musical scores written for ballet in the world of musical culture. I am happy that the play was staged in Baku, the author's homeland. In fact, I have also been waiting for a very long time for the play to be staged in Azerbaijan. Arif Malikov told me that I would dance in it. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. However, now my student is dancing in the performance, which is also very nice. I hope that Arif Malikov's soul is happy now," Tsiskaridze said.
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Azerbaijan, Guo Ming, expressed admiration for the ballet in an interview with media representatives.
"It is a great honor for me to attend the premiere performance and enjoy this amazing ballet. The demonstration of "The Legend of Love" in Baku is a big event, and the audience present at the show was very lucky. Azerbaijan is a country with a rich culture. We really hope that this ballet will be shown to the Chinese audience," the ambassador said.
Director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, People's Artist of Azerbaijan, world-famous opera singer Yusif Eyvazov, noted that September 18 united several significant dates - the National Music Day, the birthday of the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli and the premiere of the ballet "The Legend of Love", which after more than 60 years, is again presented on the Azerbaijani stage.
"This is a historic, exciting, and very happy day for all of us. For this, I express my deep gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva treat our culture and art with great attention and care, very important and significant projects in the field of culture are being implemented," said Yusif Eyvazov.
People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Vice-Rector of the Baku Academy of Choreography Tarana Muradova, called the premiere a great holiday.
"The Legend of Love" is a big story that has spread all over the world, in all theaters, and the parts in the performances were danced by famous soloists. I am glad that the first ballet that I watched in my youth was "The Legend of Love". I have always wanted the ballet of the great Arif Malikov to be performed on the Azerbaijani stage. It is gratifying that in the performance participated the soloists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as the invited artists. I am sure this ballet will live for centuries, and we will try to pass on our art, our culture, and our love of dance from generation to generation," said Muradova.
According to the People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Professor Arif Huseynov, it is extremely pleasant that the audience sees Arif Malikov's masterpiece in high-quality performance.
""The Legend of Love" ballet has been shown all over the world, and finally it is on the Azerbaijani stage. Great music, great scenery, great costumes... I am delighted with the performance. I congratulate all the spectators on this significant event," she said.
Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the Baku Academy of Choreography, acting Rector Naila Mammadzade, called the ballet show in Baku a grand event.
"This is a significant day for artists, we have been waiting for this day for a very long time. A great event has happened - "The Legend of Love" on the Azerbaijani stage. This is certainly a brilliant performance. A lot of work has been done, for which we are grateful to everyone who contributed to the work on the production," said Mammadzade.
Azerbaijani composer and pianist Kamala Alizadeh is a student of Arif Malikov. According to her, "The Legend of Love" is a work that will live forever.
"Arif Malikov really waited and believed that this day would come. The ballet "The Legend of Love" is a work that will live forever. The fact that so many people came to the show is proof of that. Friends and relatives of Arif Malikov are here, and this is also a big, touching event for them. I had the honor to study with Arif Malikov, and I will say that it was not only music lessons, but also life lessons," Alizadeh said.
In addition, Nadezhda Rovenko from Petrozavodsk (Republic of Karelia, Russia) came to Azerbaijan for the first time and decided to attend a ballet show on her birthday.
"My husband and I came to the capital of Azerbaijan for a week-long vacation. We saw the poster "The Legends of Love" and decided to watch this performance. We love ballet art and we definitely visit theaters in every country, in every city we visit. We are familiar with Azerbaijani music, with the works of Polad Bulbuloghlu and Muslim Magomayev. Thanks to the ballet show, we got acquainted with the work of the Azerbaijani composer Arif Malikov," she said.
The ballet performance was greeted by the audience with thunderous applause. The audience did not let the artists off the stage for a long time, expressing their gratitude for a delightful evening. The audience discussed the ballet for a long time, someone admired the artistic skills of the artists, others tried to describe the emotions from the perception of music, others admired the costumes and scenery. Everyone agreed that "The Legend of Love" is a real masterpiece.
In an interview with media representatives after the show, People's Artist of Azerbaijan, professor, famous conductor Yalchin Adigezalov noted that now Arif Malikov's world-famous work will be invariably on the Azerbaijani stage.
"I congratulate everyone on the magnificent opening of the XV Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival. For many years we have dreamed that the ballet "The Legend of Love" would be staged on the stage in Baku. Now we have achieved this goal. Unfortunately, the outstanding composer Arif Malikov is not with us on this momentous day, but I am sure his soul is happy. This world-famous work will always be on the Azerbaijani stage. A large creative team of masters of art participated in the performance. After the show, we all saw the reaction of the audience. Arif Malikov's music is great. There are many works in the musical culture of Azerbaijan that we are proud of, but "The Legend of Love" has conquered the whole world, the ballet has been staged in 60 countries around the world," Adigezalov said.
The performer of the role of Shirin, the leading soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, and winner of international ballet competitions Maria Vinogradova noted that the performance went very well, leaving the most wonderful impressions.
"I am glad that Denis Rodkin and I came to Baku to dance to the premiere of a grandiose performance. Music is the first thing that makes the artists move in the performance, and Arif Malikov's music is so amazing and multifaceted that the soul sings when we dance," said Maria Vinogradova.
The role of Farhad was performed by the Premier of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia and laureate of international ballet competitions Denis Rodkin, who expressed his admiration for the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra conducted by People's Artist Yalchin Adigezalov.
"It is very pleasant to be in Baku, the birthplace of the outstanding Azerbaijani composer Arif Malikov. I was lucky enough to work with him personally, it was 2014, when Yury Grigorovich was making a new edition of "The Legend of Love". I would like to note that the orchestra sounded very clean, there was not a single false note. It is very pleasant to dance to the music of this orchestra, it raises you to a new level. I will also say about the reaction of the audience, Probably I have never heard such applause after I danced my first part, it is quite complicated, but finally, the audience appreciated it," Denis Rodkin said.
Arif Melikov wrote the ballet "The Legend of Love" based on the libretto of the famous Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet based on the drama "Farhad and Shirin". The premiere of the ballet took place on March 23, 1961, at the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater (now the State Academic Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg). In July 1962, the premiere of the work took place on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.