BULBUL (B-149)

Azerbaijani folk and opera singer (tenor), one of the founders of the Azerbaijani National Musical Theater. From early childhood he was known for his extraordinary musical abilities, for which he received from his peers the nickname Bulbul (translated from Azerbaijani - "nightingale"). He began his career as a folk singer, performed Azerbaijani mughams and folk songs, and in 1920 became a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Theater (Baku). He received his musical education in 1921-1927 at the Baku Conservatory (class of N.I. Speransky) and in 1927-1931 at the La Scala Theater (Milan). From 1932 to 1961 he taught at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. Bulbul is the first vocalist who switched from specifically oriental singing to the European manner of opera vocals and, synthesizing the best techniques of Azerbaijani national singing with the Russian and European opera school, created a school of modern singing in Azerbaijan. Among the most significant opera parts performed by the singer - "Ker-ogly" from the opera of the same name by U. Hajibeyov, Ashug-Gharib from "Shahsenem" by R.M. Glier, Aliar from "Nergiz" by M. Magomaeva, Aleko from the opera of the same name by S.V. Rachmaninov, The Duke from Rigoletto by G. Verdi. Author of monographs on Azerbaijani folk music and textbooks for students, students playing Azerbaijani folk instruments. People's Artist of the USSR (1938).