Nomeda Kazlaus: Azerbaijan’s first lady did much for country’s entire culture

/By Azernews/

The 8th International Music Festival kicked off July 30 in Azerbaijan’s Gabala city and continues on Aug.5. World-renowned musicians and performers are taking part in the festival organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Winner of four international contests, famous Lithuanian opera singer Nomeda Kazlaus was one of the guests of the festival.

Speaking with Trend, Kazlaus said that she visited Baku for the first time and expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Lithuania Hasan Mammadzade for the invitation.
The opera singer said that she has wonderful impression of Baku, noting that the city has beautiful architecture. People are very sincere and hospitable here, she added.

Kazlaus said that her purpose is not only a wonderful festival in Gabala, but also to meet cultural figures.

“Lithuania’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Valdas Lastauskas helps us establish cultural ties,” said Kazlaus. “I know that Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva has done much not only for this festival, but for the entire culture of Azerbaijan.”

Kazlaus pointed out that good singers, conductors such as maestro Dmitry Yablonsky are taking part in the festival.

“I hope to perform in Azerbaijan next year, there will be an interesting program,” she said. “By the way, I want to prepare an Azerbaijani musical composition. You have very good music and many excellent works of famous composers and I can perform those compositions as well.”

She noted that each country holds a main festival of classical music which also includes non-classical concerts.

“I have heard much about Gabala,” said Kazlaus, adding that it is very important for every country to mobilize all its forces to hold an event at the international level once a year and Gabala always hosts such level events.

“We also have plans to hold my solo concert in Baku. Probably, there will even be two concerts in February or in March. One of the concert programs will be related to Lithuania’s Independence Day, while the other concert will include romances and works by Azerbaijani composers,” she said. “I will return here with great pleasure.”
Kazlaus said that aside from opera, she also likes chamber concerts.

“I will include the works by Azerbaijani composers in my repertoire with great pleasure,” added the opera singer.

Kazlaus noted that Azerbaijani opera singer Muslim Magomayev is the most famous person in the world of opera. Lithuanian people know him well, she said.

Azerbaijan has a very good opera school and the country has singers of international level, according to Kazlaus.

“Hopefully, we will work out some projects and those singers will come to Lithuania as well,” she added.

Further, the opera singer shared her impressions about the country.

“I was in hammam (bath) for the first time today and I am under impression,” said Kazlaus.
The opera singer said that she liked Azerbaijani cuisine very much.

“I think that for now, I have associations with quiet music, perhaps, because I was met here with great love. I feel calm, relaxed, but I have set myself up for work. Apparently, you feel so here as well, because you have such a wonderful country,” she added.