Shafigah Akhundova
"The Bride's Rock"

Librettists: Suleyman Rahimov and Isgandar Joshgun
Conductor: Sevil Hajiyeva, Honored Art Worker
Director: Hafiz Guliyev, Honored Art Worker
Set Designer: Anvar Almaszade, Honored Artist
Painter: Tehran Babayev, Honored Cultural Worker
Choir Masters: Sevzikhan Serderov, Zohra Hashimova
Choreographers: Tamilla Shiraliyeva, People's Artist; Yuri Lobachev, Honored Artist

Cast:

• Gulbahar – Arzu Aliyeva, Honored Artist
• Jamal – Khayal Huseynov
• Khan – Jahangir Gurbanov, Honored Artist
• Sanam – Ayten Maharramova
• Elder Nurani – Mutallim Damirov
• Tutu – Mulayim Hasratova
• Mother – Humay Mammadova
• Jamal's Sister – Gunel Hajiyeva
• Vizier – Mahir Taghizade
• Villager – Vugar Aliyev
• 2nd Villager – Nazar Beylarov
• Uncle's Daughter – Afag Agayeva
• Uncle's Son – Mireli Sarizade
• Solo Tar: Elkhan Mansurov, Honored Artist

"The Bride's Rock"

Act I

Scene 1:
The Khan of the hunters' region falls in love with a peasant girl, Gulbahar. To achieve his desire, he cuts off the village's water supply and sends Gulbahar's lover, Jamal, to the mountains to restore it. The villagers anxiously await the water and Jamal's return. Sanam, the Khan's chief wife, warns Gulbahar that yielding to the Khan's love would lead to misery. Gulbahar tries to conceal her feelings. Jamal returns with the water and learns of the Khan's intentions. He decides to confront the Khan.

Scene 2:
Jamal, accompanied by his mother, meets the Khan and gifts him a tiger skin, requesting permission to marry Gulbahar. The Khan agrees but imposes a condition: the wedding must take place with a dress gifted by the Khan. Reluctantly, Jamal accepts the dress. During the wedding, the Khan sets a new condition: Jamal must leave immediately to hunt another tiger.

Act II

Scene 1:
At Jamal's wedding, the villagers celebrate joyfully. The Khan and Vizier arrive, demanding Jamal to leave at once for the second tiger skin. Jamal complies, and the wedding is interrupted. Sanam explains the Khan's true motives to Gulbahar and tries to bring Jamal back.

Scene 2:
Gulbahar confronts the Khan in his palace, refusing his love and choosing death over submission. Meanwhile, Sanam attempts to help Jamal but is fatally wounded by the Khan. Jamal returns to rescue Gulbahar.

Scene 3:
Gulbahar is forced to the edge of the cliff. In her final act, she stabs the Khan with a dagger and leaps to her death. Jamal and the villagers find Gulbahar in her last moments. Declaring her eternal love, she passes away. The villagers name the cliff "The Bride's Rock" to honor her sacrifice.