A message of greetings of Azerbaijan`s first lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO goodwill ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva was read out at the ceremony, which was held at an open-air stage outside the Heydar Aliyev Congress Center in Gabala.
The opening ceremony then featured performance of Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli conducted by People`s Artist Rauf Abdullayev. The orchestra performed compositions of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Niyazi, Fikrat Amirov, Qara Qarayev, Puccini, Verdi and Rossi. Soloists included People`s Artist Samir Jafarov, and soloist of Azerbaijan Television and Radio Aytaj Shikhalizade.
Special guests of the festival, composer and singer, People`s Artist, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu addressed the ceremony to highlight the importance of the festival. He thanked President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva for organizing “such a beautiful music festival”. He performed folk songs and other compositions accompanied by Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra, which was conducted by his son Murtuza Bulbul.
This year`s edition of the festival brings together world-renowned musicians, art ensembles, soloists and conductors from Azerbaijan and a number of foreign countries. It will also feature a piano contest.
Launched by Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2009, Gabala International Music Festival is an annual open-air festival of classical music.
/Azertag/
8th International Music Festival opens in Gabala
31 July 2016
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The 8th Gabala International Music Festival has today officially opened.
