Zulfugar Gadjibekov, Niyazi
Opera "Aşıq Qərib"

Conductor: Sevil Hacıyeva, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan
Stage Director: Hafiz Quliyev, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan
Set Designer: Əyyub Fətəliyev, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan
Choreographer: Qəmər Almaszadə, People's Artist of the USSR
Solo Tar Performance by: Elxan Mansurov, Honored Artist

Participants: Aşıq Qərib - Məhəbbət Səfərov
Şahsənəm - Rəvanə Əmiraslanlı
Şahvələd - Taleh Yahyayev
Mahmud - Pərviz Verdiyev
Güloğlan - Sadiq Məlikov
Qərib's Mother - Mülayim Həsrətova
Qərib's Sister - Esmira Məmmədova
Ağca Girl - Səma Həmzəyeva
Qaraca Girl - Səbinə Vahabzadə, Honored Artist
Aşıq Vəli - Nəzər Bəylərov
Aşıq Səlim - Fuad Əzizzadə
Paşa - Zeynalabdin Kərimov
Hoca Sənan - Rəşad Həsənzadə
Azançı - İlkin Əhmədov, Honored Artist

                                            Brief description

First scene

Resident of Tabriz Rasul dreams about daughter of Tbilisi’s khodja Sanan Shahsanam. He starts to sing as soon as he wakes up. Surprised mother, sister and neighbors ask the reason of singing.

They find out that Rasul will travel to Tbilisi after his beauty. They try to talk him back. But Rasul is firm on his decision.

Second scene

Big feast organized with respectful Mahmud. Ashig Vali and dark skinned girl are singing and dancing, guests are having tea and enjoying themselves. Rasul appears. He’s asked to praise Tabriz. Rasul sings ode for Tabriz. Everyone excited except for Ashig Vali.

Mahmud asks Rasul why he left his homeland. Rasul tells everything. He’s advised to walk neighbourhood to find Shakhsanam.

Third scene

Shakhsanam is enjoying herself with her girlfriends in the beautiful garden. In love with her Shakhvalal and his friends enters the garden. Shakhsanam doesn’t accept his offer. She’s always thinking about someone she dreamed about. Her girlfriends leave and she hears singing. Rasul is singing that named himself Ashig Garib. They meet and recognize each other.

Fourth scene

Shakhsanam’s father agrees to marriage between Shakhsanam and Shakhvalal. Garib’s mother also asks Shakhsanam to marry her son. Khoja Sanan asks for 40 sacks of gold in return. Garib is forced to leave for another country in order to earn that amount. He asks Shakhsanam to wait for him for 7 years.

Fifth scene

Years pass. There’s no news from Ashig. Shahvalal orders Guloghlan to find and kill Garib. Guloghlan deceives Shakhvalal by showing his own shirt covered in blood. They show shirt to Shakhsanam too.

Sixth scene

Garib courtier ashig of pasha of Arzurum. He’s very famous. Mahmud is looking for Garib by Shakhsanam’s request. They meet in the yard. Pasha of Arzurum finds out about everything. He gifts Garib with 40 sacks of gold and lets him go.

Seventh scene

Seven years later. Sister and mother wait for Garib. Their meeting is very warm and heartfelt. Garib rushes to Shakhsanam as he finds out about her wedding.

Eighths scene

Shakhvalal’s wedding. His friends and Guloghlan are at the feast. Suddenly Garib and Mahmud appear. Shakhvalal kills Guloghlan and attacks Garib. But Mahmud stops him. As a result Garib and Shakhsanam’s pure love triupmhs.