On November 18, a premiere of the show “Asger and Gulchohra” - staged on the basis of motifs of the eponymous play by People’s Writer Kamal Abdulla - took place at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva attended the show.

The two-act music drama “Gulchohra and Asger” is a continuation of the work “Arshin Mal Alan” by great Uzeir Hajibeyli.

Composer of the new play, Honoured Person of Art Javanshir Guliyev told the correspondents that here was a different approach to the show. “Unlike “Arshin Mal Alan”, this work doesn’t have a happy end. The storyline is unexpected, and the audience’s attention is always focused on the show. For this reason, it was both an interesting and valuable experience”, - said the composer.

Performer of the character Asger in both “Arshin Mal Alan” and “Gulchohra and Asger”, holder of Presidential Prize Samedzade Khasiyev underscored that both the roles are characteristic. Mentioning that the creative team has worked on the show for a long time, the actor said: “The joyful and romantic sides of Asger in the music comedy, and his dramatic fate in the new show gives me wide range of opportunities. Working on this role is both responsible and valuable in terms of creativity. At the backdrop of the sufferings that Asger and Gulchohra experienced during the dark and harsh periods of the history, they create a view of a whole period. The terrible years that Asger spent in Siberia and Gulchohra’s hopelessly waiting for him is not only an unsuccessful love story, but also an artistic chronicle reflecting one nation’s memory, persistence, and unbreakable spirit”. 

Playing the role of Telli in the two-act music drama, Elnara Naghdaliyeva noted that she was a merciful and joyful woman. “I tried to convey her internal strength and soft character to the audience. The character of Telli is distinguished by her loyalty to her master and khanum. Despite all the tensions, dangers and hardship, she does not leave her khanum and bey, sets off together with them, for a difficult and long journey, to Iran, Istanbul, and then to France” - said the actress.

Spectator of the show “Gulchohra and Asger”, Honoured Person of Art Maryan Alizade said she was moved by this work of stage: “The show reflects the political and public events occurred during the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, in particular, the repercussions of the material and moral damage caused by the Bolsheviks to our country. The complicated fate of Gulchohra and Asger is presented at the show with high professionalism, having a strong emotional impression on the audience”.

Production director of the show is Asger Asgerov, conductor Fakhraddin Atayev, choreographer Nigar Shahmuradova, and choirmaster Vagif Mastanov.

Honoured artists Azizagha Azizov, Ilgar Salamov, holder of Presidential prizes Samedzade Khasiyev, Mehriban Zaliyeva, Atilla Mammadov, actors Faig Mirzayev, Gultaj Alili, Gulnara Abdullayeva, Elnara Naghdaliyeva, Ibrahim Alizade, Elchin Imanov, Elkhan Ismailov, Ali Kerimov, Orkhan Huseynov, Kamil Jafarov, Nijat Habibov, as well as artists of choir and ballet participated in the show.