''Leyli and Majnun'' ( az, Leyli və Məcnun) a classic Azerbaijani story of love couple; it is a one-act ballet by Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev. The libretto is based on Nizami Ganjavi's poem '' Layla and Majnun'' (the third book of the ''

Khamsa Khamsa (Arabic, lit. "five") may refer to: * Hamsa, a popular amulet in the Middle East and North Africa, also romanized as ''khamsa'' * Al Khamsa, a bloodline for Arabian horses that traces back to five mares * Al Khamsa (organization), a nonprofi ...

'', 12th century). The choreographer of the original production was Nelya Nazirova. The premiere, conducted by R. D. Abdullayev, took place on 25 May 1969 at the

Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (Azeri: ''Axundov adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Akademik Opera və Balet Teatrı''), formerly known as the Mailov Theatre

Baku Baku (, ; az, Bakı ) is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world a ...

, with V. N. Pletnev as Majnun and T. N. Mamedova as Leyli. Nazirova's production was the basis of the ballet film ''In the World of Legends'' that was filmed by the creative association Ekran in 1975. In 2001, choreographer Georgy Aleksidze carried out a new production of ''Leyli and Majnun''. The performance took place on 17 February (soloists R. Iskenderov and G. Mirzayev), and on 4 December of the same year the ballet was shown on the stage of the

Bolshoi Theater The Bolshoi Theatre ( rus, Большо́й теа́тр, r=Bol'shoy teatr, literally "Big Theater", p=bɐlʲˈʂoj tʲɪˈatər) is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, originally designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds ballet and ope ...

, during a tour in Moscow.

Classical story of Leyla and Majnu

The classical story of Leyla and Majnu, which was called the "Romeo and Juliet of the Orient" by Lord Byron, has been swarmed since a long times, in Arabic, Persian, Azerbaijani and Indian cultures. The tale of ''Layla and Majnun'' is as well known in Asia as ''Romeo and Juliet'' is in Europe. The parents of both Leyli and Majnun were not pleased with their love, so both of two lovers were separated, Leyli was married forcefully with another man, but she remained in obsessions of Majnun all the day, whereas, Majnu, due to the tragic separation from his beloved, retreats and go to the jungle, He prefers the company of the wild animals rather than that of men. There he communicates with the wild beasts and recites his poetry for Leyli. He becomes exhausted due to shunning the all bodily and psychological desires, his health continually declines and eventually Majnu dies in the wild. Although, both the lover doesn't meet in the life, but they are reunited after their death.

References

{{Layla and Majnun Soviet ballets Ballets by Gara Garayev Nizami Ganjavi Ballet in Azerbaijan 1969 ballet premieres Ballets based on literature

Classical story of Leyla and Majnu

See also

References