After more than half a century, the ballet "Legend of Love" by the outstanding composer, People's Artist Arif Malikov will be shown in the author's homeland.

Known as a masterpiece of world classical music, the ballet will be staged with the organization of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azernews reports.

Baku audience have a chance to watch a ballet at Heydar Aliyev Palace on September 18-19.

Legend of Love will create a real celebration on National Music Day by creating a unity with its magnificent music, stage structure, and arrangement.

The performance will be staged by the famous ballet master Yuri Grigorovich. The stage design by the famous artist Simon Virsaladze, the ballet troupe of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, dancers of the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble, and students of the Baku Choreography Academy will perform. The work will be performed by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, conducted by People's Artist Yalchin Adigozelov.

For the historical presentation, 250 costumes, as well as decorations and props have been prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, based on Simon Virsaladze's original sketches.

Arif Malikov composed the ballet Legend of Love based on the libretto of the famous Turkish poet Nazim Hikmat's play Farhad and Shirin. Arif Malikov started working on the work consisting of 3 scenes and 7 pictures since 1958 and finished it in 2 years.

The ballet premiere took place at the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater (now St. Petersburg State Academic Maria Theater) on March 23, 1961.

Ballet master Yuri Grigorovich, artist Simon Virsaladze, conductor of the play was maestro Niyazi. In July 1962, the premiere of the work was held on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

The Legend of Love ballet is still conquering world stages. The work has been demonstrated in more than 60 theaters in different countries. The stage play was well received in the USA, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Brazil, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkiye, Ukraine, Japan, and other countries.

It is no coincidence that Arif Malikov's masterpiece is being shown in the Year of Heydar Aliyev.

2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and the 90th anniversary of the outstanding composer Arif Malikov.

National Leader Heydar Aliyev highly valued Arif Malikov as an artist and a person. In his music, Arif Malikov reflected his love and respect for National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The composer's 8th symphony "Eternity" was dedicated to the National Leader.

Tickets for ballet will soon be on sale at the city's ticket offices and on iTicket.az.