A breathtaking performance of the three-act ballet “Seven
Beauties” by the prominent composer Gara Garayev has been showcased
at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, Azernews reports.
This dazzling performance, presented by the Azerbaijan State
Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, marked the grand conclusion of
the “Ballet Days” project, leaving a lasting impression on all
those in attendance.
The orchestra, under the expert guidance of the theater’s chief
conductor, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev, brought the rich, emotive
score to life.
The libretto was masterfully crafted by Y. Slonimsky, Rafiga
Akhundova, and Maqsud Mammadov, drawing inspiration from the
legendary motifs of Nizami Ganjavi’s epic poem “Seven
Beauties”.
On stage, the main roles were powerfully portrayed by Timur
Odusev as Bahram and Yuliya Ferstandt as Aysha. Their on-stage
chemistry, through mesmerizing duets, conveyed the purity of love,
the unbearable sorrow of loss, and the agonizing journey of
self-discovery. The fusion of music and movement captured the
essence of these profound emotions, resonating deeply with the
audience.
Makar Ferstandt, in his role as the Vizier, personified the
darker, more conflicted side of the story’s protagonist. His
commanding stage presence and sharp physicality created an
atmosphere of intense inner turmoil, evoking a palpable tension.
Through his portrayal, the audience could sense the battle between
his desire for power and his cold, calculating demeanor in the face
of love.
The mesmerizing roles of the Seven Beauties were brought to life
with unparalleled grace by: Ayan Eyvazova (Queen of Beauties),
Maryam Shabakayeva (Indian Beauty), Sabina Mammadova (Byzantine
Beauty), Nigar Aliyeva (Khorazm Beauty), Liana Praga (Slavic
Beauty), Honored Artist Elmira Suleymanova (Maghreb Beauty), and
Zahra Tanriverdiyeva (Chinese Beauty). The dancers embodied the
unique essence of their character, gracefully interpreting the
national and artistic spirit of the “Beauties” through exquisite
choreography and subtle movements.
The ballet’s artistic direction was helmed by People’s Artists
Rafiga Akhundova and Magsud Mammadov, whose choreography seamlessly
blended national heritage with universal emotions, presenting the
work’s thematic depth in a contemporary light. The performance was
further enhanced by the talented repetiteurs — People’s Artists
Madina Aliyeva, Gulaghasi Mirzayev, and Honored Artists Farid
Ibrahimov and Yuriy Lobachev.
The stage design was nothing short of spectacular. The visionary
set designers, People’s Artist of the USSR and recipient of the
State Prize of the USSR, Togrul Narimanbayov, and Honored Cultural
Worker Tehran Babayev, transformed the stage into a vivid,
multi-layered world that magnificently reflected the symbolism of
“Seven Beauties”.
Their stunning visual interpretation of the ballet’s themes —
the longing for desires, the illusion of beauty, and the search for
self — turned the stage into an enchanting canvas that captivated
the audience’s imagination.
The “Ballet Days” project, organized by the Azerbaijan State
Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, offered an extraordinary array
of performances.
Over the course of the project, the audience was treated to
breathtaking examples of both classical and modern ballet.
The stage came alive with works by both local and international
choreographers, with performances by young emerging talents
alongside some of the most renowned ballet masters of the
stage.
Note that “Seven Beauties” is a ballet composed by Azerbaijani
composer Gara Garayev between 1947 and 1948 to celebrate the 800th
anniversary of the birth of Nizami Ganjavi. Set in the 12th
century, the libretto, crafted by I. Hidayetzade, Yuri Slonimsky,
and Sabit Rahman, draws on themes from Ganjavi’s epic romantic poem
“Seven Beauties”, written in 1197.
It premiered on November 7, 1952, at the Azerbaijan State
Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku.
The use of Azerbaijani folk instruments in the orchestration
added a distinct national flavor to the production.