Zagir Ismagilov

From the beginning of his studies, the future composer was interested in the native folk music of the Bashkir people, and learned to play the quray.

In 1935, Arslan Mubaryakov invited him to take part in the Bashkir Academic Drama Theatre, Ufa, where he played in the evenings as a quray player (musician).

[1] During World War II he worked in Ufa, was part of concerts given for front-line troops, and composed patriotic songs.

[3] The composer's works were performed in Russia, the republics of the former National Union (now CIS) and internationally (Bulgaria, China, Romania, North Korea, Yugoslavia, and Ethiopia).

[1] Zagir Ismagilov contributed to the development of national opera, chamber vocal, choral and instrumental music in the Soviet Union.

Ismagilov's works ranges from operas like Shaura and Waves Agideli, to musical comedies such as Codasa and Almakay.