Muslim Magomayev: A Giant in Azerbaijani Music

The name of the great artist, who has a unique and deserving place in Azerbaijan’s musical culture, is also included among the world stars and rare personalities. The singer’s concerts on various continents demonstrate the breadth of his creative geography. He performed in the world’s most famous concert halls and was the subject of numerous films. In the mid-1960s, Muslim became well-known in the Soviet Union and several other countries.

It’s no coincidence that the Big Theater’s management was desperate to get him to join their troupe. It got so bad that the USSR’s Minister of Culture, Ekaterina Furtseva, took Muslim under her protection.

One of Muslim’s greatest dreams was to study in Italy, and the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theater sent young Muslim to “La Scala” theater to gain experience. He has been fascinated by the records of Italian classics such as Mattia Battistini, Enrico Caruso, Mario del Monaco, and Tinna Ruffo, from whom he took vocal lessons in absentia, since childhood. His youthful dreams have come true, and he has had the opportunity to learn from living legends such as Chenarro Barro and Enrico Piazza.

As a result, Muslim returns to Baku as a real Figaro and appears on stage in “The Barber of Seville.” His friendship and collaboration with the renowned pianist Rauf Atakishiyev pave the way for his continued success on this path. Every performance of “The Barber of Seville” is sold out, and Figaro – Muslim Magomayev is greeted with unprecedented enthusiasm by the Baku audience.

He composed music for the films of Eldar Guliyev. Later, the director carried out Gleb Drozdov’s orders. He wrote music for the play “Yaroslavna” based on motifs from “Igor Polk’s Epic.” In that play, he portrayed Prince Igor, and Tamara Sinyavskaya portrayed Yaroslavna.

Tofig Ismayilov directed a film concert about him called “Oxuyur Muslim Magomayev (Muslim Magomayev is singing)” in 1971. Muslim Magomayev, who managed to keep listeners’ love for many years, was awarded the USSR’s “Red Flag of Labor” and “Friendship of Peoples” orders, as well as the title of National Artist of the USSR.