"Leyli and Majnun" (Ballet in 2 Acts)

Age Restriction: 6+

Composer: Gara Garayev

Genre: Classical

Synopsis:

In the Poet's imagination, the images of the lovers Leyli and Majnun emerge. He is deeply moved by their sad yet beautiful love story.

As if stepping out of an ancient miniature depicting a madrasa, young men and women are seen rejoicing. Amidst them, the beautiful Leyli and Qeys confess their love for each other, oblivious to their surroundings. They cannot imagine life without one another.

Leyli's father decides to marry her off to the wealthy merchant Ibn-Salam. Upon discovering Leyli's love for Majnun, he becomes enraged and vehemently refuses Qeys's father's proposal for Leyli's hand. Devastated by the rejection, Qeys—now Majnun—seeks solitude in the desert.

Leyli's father gathers guests for her wedding to Ibn-Salam. Friends of Leyli and Majnun are aware that beneath the bridal veil, Leyli remains distant from her unloved groom, dreaming only of Qeys. Amidst the ongoing festive procession, Ibn-Salam realizes that Leyli does not reciprocate his love. In his attempts to win her heart, he becomes exhausted.

In the desert, the hermit Majnun composes ghazals about his unfulfilled love. Mirages born from his poetic imagination bring forth the image of his beloved. In his verses, the lovers are eternally united.

Separated from her beloved Qeys, Leyli falls into a fatal melancholy. Tragic fate relentlessly pursues her.

Qeys mourns for Leyli, and as if merging with his beloved, he joins her in eternal life.

Concluding his narrative, the Poet extols the profound love of Leyli and Majnun.

"Don Quixote" (Ballet in 2 Acts)

Age Restriction: 6+

Composer: Gara Garayev

Genre: Classical

Duration: 30 minutes

Conductor: Orkhan Hashimov

Choreographer: Georgi Kovtun (Russia)

Synopsis:

"Only God knows whether Dulcinea exists in the world or not, whether she is real or imagined. I did not invent my lady nor conjure her in my imagination; yet, I envision her endowed with all perfections deserving universal reverence."

—M. Cervantes, "Don Quixote"

The noble knight Don Quixote confides in his loyal friend Sancho about the treacherous and deceitful beings that torment him, making him a target for the arrows of cruel fate. He reveals that the most beautiful Lady of his heart, Dulcinea del Toboso, has fallen into the hands of his arch-enemy, the sorcerer Montesinos. Unwilling to accept such treachery, he vows to rescue her. The wicked Montesinos is ever watchful and erects numerous obstacles in the noble hidalgo's path, leading to repeated defeats for Don Quixote.

Now, wounded from battle, the knight dreams of his Lady. Responding to Dulcinea's call, he gathers his strength and sets out once more in search of her.

In the city, a festive carnival is underway. Townsfolk revel in the celebrations. Don Quixote appears, seeking his beloved. Montesinos is also present, attempting to convince the carnival-goers of the hidalgo's madness. Believing him, the crowd mocks the unusual knight. Suddenly, Dulcinea emerges among the throng. Don Quixote tries to draw the townspeople's attention to her, proclaiming her existence, but the crowd remains oblivious to his Lady. Montesinos, intervening once more, plays a cruel trick by transforming Dulcinea into a puppet.

The crowd and Montesinos ridicule Don Quixote, but he, steadfast in his belief in his Lady's existence, cries out, "She is alive, look, it's Dulcinea!" Yet, no one hears him.

The celebration ends, and the crowd disperses. Before Don Quixote, the image of his beloved reappears, beckoning him toward new adventures.

Don Quixote's faithful friend, Sancho, is knighted as his squire. The friends feel emboldened, ready for new exploits, undeterred by Montesinos. However, the wicked sorcerer sends a hundred of his minions against them. Once again, Don Quixote is defeated, teetering on the brink of death. Montesinos revels in his triumph over the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance. Yet, Dulcinea's reappearance revives Don Quixote. She presents him with a sword, urging him to continue his quest. As long as Don Quixotes traverse the world, Dulcineas will live on!

Conductor: Javanshir Jafarov, People's Artist

Choreographer: Naile Nasirova

Set Designers:

• Toghrul Narimanbayov, People's Artist
• Enver Almaszade, Honored Artist

Cast:

• Leyli: Dinara Mammadova
• Majnun: Intigam Mammadov
• Ibn Salam: Seymur Gadiyev

Qara Qarayev's "Don Quixote" Ballet

Conductor: Javanshir Jafarov, People's Artist

Choreographer: Georgi Kovtun (Ukraine) ,Georgi Alexidze (Georgia)

Set Designers:

• Tahir Tahirov, People's Artist
• Agarehim Rahimov, Honored Art Worker

Cast:

• Don Quixote: Makar Fershtandt, Honored Artist
• Dulcinea: Nigar Ibrahimova, Honored Artist
• Montesinos: Timur Odushev

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