Azerbaijan commemorates world-renowned singer Muslum Magomayev
Baku, October 25, AZERTAC
Today marks the 15th anniversary of death of the world-renowned Azerbaijani singer, aptly dubbed the "King of Songs" and the "Soviet Sinatra", Muslum Magomayev.
He had created spectacular works in the classical music field.
Magomayev (1942-2008) managed to win the hearts of millions of fans from young age with miraculous baritone voice.
His creative activity occupies a special place in the history of Azerbaijani culture.
Muslum Magomayev’s passion for art, a deep musical perception, high scenic culture has presented him as a symbol of performing arts of Azerbaijan.
Muslim earned fame in the USSR as an opera singer with his performance in Rossini's "Barber of Seville". He also became known for his arias from Puccini's "Tosca", Hajibeyov's "Koroghlu" and "Shah Ismayil", which was composed by his grandfather.
He became the art director of the Azerbaijan State Bandstand-Symphonic Orchestra in 1975 and toured in Italy, France, Bulgaria, Finland, Canada, United States, Cuba and other countries.
Magomayev was also known as a composer, writing several film soundtracks and songs.
At the very young age of 31, he was awarded the People’s Artist of the USSR. His repertoire comprised up to 600 compositions.
Moreover, Magomayev acted in films and hosted television and radio broadcasts devoted to prominent musicians of the 20th century.
Muslim Magomayev has gained fame for the Azerbaijani culture with his diverse performances in the most spectacular concert halls of the world.
Having been trained at the La Scala theatre in Milan, he went on to win international competitions held in cities as Helsinki, Sopot and Cannes.
Muslim Magomayev’s merits to the development of Azerbaijan`s national music culture has always been appreciated highly, and he was conferred on high awards of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan – orders of “Glory” and “Independence”.
Muslum Magomayev died in 2008 in Moscow, at the age of 66. He was buried in the Alley of Honors in his native city of Baku, next to his grandfather. The funeral ceremony was attended by President Ilham Aliyev, Magomayev's family members, friends, as well as state officials and international delegations. Thousands of people came to pay a final tribute to the singer.
The 70th and 75th anniversaries of the world-renowned singer have been marked at the state level in Azerbaijan.
On August 17, 2022, a statue of world-renowned singer Muslum Magomayev was unveiled at the Baku Seaside National Park. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also attended the unveiling ceremony.
Author of the statue erected under President Ilham Aliyev's Order is People's Artist, sculptor Omar Eldarov. The height of the bronze statue is 2 meters.
