Azerbaijan remembers Magomayev - PHOTO

Azerbaijan yesterday marked the anniversary of its legendary opera and popular music performer Muslim Magomayev.

A commemoration ceremony, which took place at the singer`s gravesite, was attended by rector of the Baku branch of the Moscow State University Nargiz Pashayeva, people`s artist of USSR Tahir Salahov, Magomayev`s wife Tamara Sinyavskaya and businessman and singer Emin Aghalarov.

Magomayev was born in 1942. He gained popularity in 1962, at the stage of the Sailor`s club (Denizchiler). At recommendation of Maestro Niyazi, he took part in an international youth music festival in Helsinki, the Finnish capital and returned with an award. In this connection, the popular magazine Ogonyok published his portrait and the article entitled “A youngster from Baku conquers the world".

Magomayev was the soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in the 1960s, was on probation in the La Scala theatre in Milan. Muslim earned fame as an opera singer with Rossini`s "Barber of Seville". He also became known for his aria from Puccini`s "Tosca".

In the former USSR, Muslim was the one who brought opera to Estrada. At the very young age of 31, he was awarded the People`s Artist of the USSR. His repertoire comprised up to 600 compositions. The great singer was also a great composer and author of unique songs.
Huge work is carried out today to perpetuate the memory of the great singer. The part of this work was the opening ceremony of the memorial board on the house in Baku where Muslim Magomayev lived.

He died in Moscow in 2008.


/AzerTAc/

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