Koroghlu (opera)

The libretto is based on episodes from the Epic of Koroghlu, a heroic legend prominent in the oral traditions of the Turkic peoples.

Koroghlu was written in 1936 and first performed on April 30, 1937 at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku, conducted by the composer with Bulbul and Gulyara Iskenderova in leading roles.

[1] It was Hajibeyov's last complete opera and is described by Yury Gabay in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians as his most important work, winning him a USSR State Prize in 1941.

Walls of a majestic palace rise to skies in the middle of picturesque nature, at the foot of a mountain.

Driven to despair by poverty, starvation, and the atrocities suffered at the hands of the khan, his subjects are restless.

Wishing to show his generosity, Hasan khan decides to present one of his guests with a horse.

The poor man falls to his knees, and asks that as an act of mercy to be executed instead as he feels it is better for him to die than to lose the eyesight.

Ali's son ashik Rovshan returns home and unaware of the tragedy that has befallen his father, he is singing about his love to the beautiful Nigar, his beloved.

Hassan khan, facing the revolt is anxious whether the strong walls of his citadel will be able to protect him from the anger of his subjects.

They celebrate their union with a feast of wine and dance, Hasan khan knows no rest and is still anxious.

During the celebrations a message is received that Hassan Khan's army has suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of Koroghlu's followers and it has been routed.

Khan's jester Hamza's curious offer is the most acceptable: it is to steal Koroghlu's favorite black horse the Ghirr Aat.

This will trick Koroghlu to come to free his loyal friend, allowing Khan's men to capture him, depriving the rebellion of its leader.

The rebels take the friendship and loyalty oath to the battle standards of Koroghlu, the fighter for the nation's happiness.

He asks for refuge seeking shelter: pretends to be a groom who is running from the persecutions of Hassan khan.

Darkness and a bad weather favors the crime: Hamza steals Ghir Att.

He orders public execution of Nigar, her brother Eyvaz and the groom Polad, who had brought up Ghir Att from the stables.

They receive the convicted persons with empathy; beautiful Nigar stands motionless on the scaffold with the support of her friends.

At that moment when the executioner' readies his axe Koroghlu's soldiers burst into the square and set the convicted free.