Uzeyir Hajibeyli

Uzeyir Hajibeyli (1885-1948). Azerbaijani composer, musicologist, publicist, playwright, pedagogue and public figure. People’s Artist of USSR. The founder of the professional Azerbaijani music. Founder of the first opera in the East. Active member of Azerbaijan SSR Academy of Sciences (1945), professor (1940), Director of Azerbaijan State Conservatory (1928-1929, 1939-1948), Chairman of the Union of Composers of the Azerbaijan SSR (1938-1948), two times deputy of the Supreme Soviet of USSR (1937, 1941), composer of the first anthem of Azerbaijan (the anthem of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic during 1918-1920 which was re-adopted after Azerbaijan regained its independence and the anthem of Azerbaijan SSR). Composer of the first opera in the Islamic world.In his youth Uzeyir Hajibeyli went to mugham lessons and learned to play on Azerbaijani folk instruments. In 1897 when Azerbaijani playwright Abdurrahim Hagverdiyev and singer Jabbar Garyagdyoglu staged “Majnun on Leyli