![Artists of Arshin Mal Alan (Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theater, 1928)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Artists_of_Arshin_Mal_Alan_%28Azerbaijan_Opera_and_Ballet_Theater%2C_1928%29.jpg)
Azerbaijani theatre ( az, Azərbaycan teatrı) – is a theatrical art of the
Azerbaijani people.
History
Sources of
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Republic is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of t ...
i theatrical art lie on ancient holidays and dances.
[Театральная энциклопедия. Азербайджанский театр](_blank)
![Picture of Azimzade](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Picture_of_Azimzade.jpg)
Elements of theatrical action are in many types of Azerbaijani people's creativity – in games (“''gizlanpach''” – hide and seek, “''kosaldigach''” – polo game), game songs (“''kepenek''” – butterfly, “''banovsha''” – violet), wedding traditions (“''nishan''” – engagement, “''duvakhgalma''” – taking bride's veil off, “''toy''” – wedding) and holidays (“''
Nowruz
Nowruz ( fa, نوروز, ; ), zh, 诺鲁孜节, ug, نەۋروز, ka, ნოვრუზ, ku, Newroz, he, נורוז, kk, Наурыз, ky, Нооруз, mn, Наурыз, ur, نوروز, tg, Наврӯз, tr, Nevruz, tk, Nowruz, ...
''” – spring's coming, “''kev-sej''” – preparation for winter).
Collective male dance “yally”, performance of skomorokhs, kandirbazs (rope-walkers), mukhraduzds and mukhrabazs, spectacles of dervish and snake charmers are initial forms of theatrical spectacles. Broadly famed national scenes such as “Kosa-kosa”, “Garavelli”, “Shah Selim”, “Kechal pahlavan”(Bald-headed strong), “Jeyran khanim” (Mrs. Jeyran), “Maral oyunu” (Deer's game), “Kaftarkos” (Hyena), “
Khan-khan” (Ruler and judge), “Tapdig choban” (Shepherd Tapdig) and “Tenbel gardash” (Lazy brother) were of great importance in formation of national Azerbaijani theatre. “Kilim arasi” (Out of carpet) puppet theatre, in spectacles of which ugly appearances of everyday life, social inequality and injustice were ridiculed, is an ancient type of Azerbaijani theatrical art.
Religious-mystic spectacles were widely spread in the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
. Dramatized “Shabih” tradition, which was generally held in sorrowful
Muharram
Muḥarram ( ar, ٱلْمُحَرَّم) (fully known as Muharram ul Haram) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year when warfare is forbidden. It is held to be the second holiest month after ...
month, is one of spectacles like that.
Origination of the national Azerbaijani theatre - late 19th century, early 20th century
![Mirzə Fətəli Axundov 2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Mirz%C9%99_F%C9%99t%C9%99li_Axundov_2.jpg)
National Azerbaijani theatre was originated in the second half of the 19th century, on the basis of a comedy by
Mirza Fatali Akhundov
Mirza Fatali Akhundov ( az, Mirzə Fətəli Axundov; fa, میرزا فتحعلی آخوندزاده), also known as Mirza Fatali Akhundzade, or Mirza Fath-Ali Akhundzadeh (12 July 1812 – 9 March 1878), was a celebrated Azerbaijani author, play ...
, the first Azerbaijani playwright, prominent thinker and philosopher of Azerbaijan.
The first professional spectacle in
Azerbaijani language was displayed on March 23, 1873.
Hasanbay Malikov-Zardabi, pedagogue of real school and
Najafgulu bey Vazirov, student of the school were initiators of the spectacle. Students of the real school played “
Vizier
A vizier (; ar, وزير, wazīr; fa, وزیر, vazīr), or wazir, is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in the near east. The Abbasid caliphs gave the title ''wazir'' to a minister formerly called '' katib'' (secretary), who was ...
of
Lankaran Khanate” play by M.F.Akhundov on the stage of
Baku Public Assembly. The second spectacle – “Haji Gara” (Miser's adventures) - another comedy by M.F.Akhundov was displayed on the hall of Baku Public Assembly, on April 17, 1873. Organization of professional theatre and staging of spectacles in Baku was stopped after the first spectacles. Zardabi was busy with creation of “
Akinchi
''Akinchi'' ( az, Əkinçi, ), also transliterated as ''Ekinchi'' ("The Cultivator"), was the first Azerbaijani-language newspaper, published in Baku (then part of the Russian Empire, now the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan) between 1875 a ...
” newspaper, and Najaf bey Vazirov went to
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
for education. Opening of real school in
Shusha
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, settlement_type = City
, image_skyline = ShushaCollection2021.jpg
, image_caption = Landmarks of Shusha, from top left:Ghazanchetsots Cathedral • Yukhari Govha ...
in 1881, and elementary female school in 1894, also opening of a musical school by musical critic
Kharrat Gulu and involvement of young singers there aroused interest of local intelligentsia in theatre. So, amateurish spectacles were staged by young pedagogues in Shusha, during summer holidays. In the first years, the repertoire consisted of M.F.Akhundov's works.
“New education” newspaper wrote on August 17, 1884:
![Hashim bey Vezirov](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Hashim_bey_Vezirov.jpg)
Number of theatre-lovers resulted in appearance of young playwrights. H.Vazirov, teacher of native language in
Russo Russo may refer to:
*Russo (surname)
* Russo (footballer, 1915–1980), full name Adolpho Milman, Brazilian football forward and manager
* Russo (footballer, born 1976), full name Ricardo Soares Florêncio, Brazilian football defender
*Russo brothe ...
-
Tatar
The Tatars ()[Tatar]
in the Collins English Dictionary is an umbrella term for different School in Shusha city, actively participated in amateur circle of young pedagogues, in the 1890s. In 1892, amateurs staged “Marrying – not slaking the thirst” play by H.Vazirov. This spectacle was wrecked by fanatically incited believers and actors were made to escape through back door.
Muslim priesthood, who considered literature and theatre an obscene work, began to impede display of spectacles. Ruling intelligentsia of Shusha, who began a battle with such reaction, organized new spectacles. In summer of 1984, the spectacles such as “Haji Gara”, “Monsieur Jordan the botanist and famous sorcerer dervish Mastali Shah” and “Bear, the winner of rubbers” were staged one after another by young pedagogues for charitable purposes. In 1895, those actors finally finished “Marrying – not slaking the thirst” play by H.Vazirov. Success of the spectacle was mentioned in “Terjuman” newspaper.
![Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Abbas_Mirza_Sharifzadeh.jpg)
In 1896, a new “Broken nestle” tragedy by A.Hagverdiyev was displayed in Shusha. Author of the play was director of the spectacle. In 1904, amateurs realized staging of “
Othello” by
W.Shakespeare. H.Vazirov was translator and performer of Othello's peace.
By the end of the 19th century, spectacles in Azerbaijani language were staged in province cities such as
Nukha
Shaki ( az, Şəki) is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, surrounded by the district of the same name. It is located on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, from Baku. As of 2020, it has a population of 68,400. The center ...
,
Ganja
Ganja (, ; ) is one of the oldest and most commonly used synonyms for marijuana. Its usage in English dates to before 1689.
Etymology
''Ganja'' is borrowed from Hindi/Urdu ( hi, गांजा, links=no, ur, , links=no, IPA: aːɲd ...
,
Shamakhi
Shamakhi ( az, Şamaxı, ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Shamakhi District. The city's estimated population was 31,704. It is famous for its traditional dancers, the Shamakhi Dancers, and also for perhaps giving it ...
,
Nakhchivan and others. Followers of Akhundov's drama school, Najaf bey Vazirov,
Hashim bey Vazirov,
Nariman Narimanov
Nariman Karbalayi Najaf oghlu Narimanov ( az, Nəriman Kərbəlayi Nəcəf oğlu Nərimanov, russian: Нарима́н Кербелаи Наджа́ф оглы Нарима́нов; – 19 March 1925) was an Azerbaijani Bolshevik revolutionary, w ...
,
Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev
Abdurrahim bey Asad bey oglu Hagverdiyev ( az, Əbdürrəhim bəy Haqverdiyev) (17 May 1870 – 11 December 1933) was an Azerbaijani playwright, writer and cultural figure, stage director, politician, public figure, one of the five first Azeri Dep ...
,
Jalil Mammadguluzadeh
Jalil Huseyngulu oghlu Mammadguluzadeh ( az, Cəlil Məmmədquluzadə; 22 February 1869 – 4 January 1932), was an Azerbaijani satirist and writer. He was the founder of ''Molla Nasraddin'', a satirical magazine that would greatly influence ...
and
Suleyman Sani Akhundov, were organizers of theatrical spectacles.
In 1888, a theatrical troupe was created in Baku by active participation of S.M.Ganizade and N.Narimanov. In 1897, the first professional collective – “Muslim Drama Troupe” – was established. Repertoire of pre-revolutionary theatre consisted of works of Azerbaijani playwrights (M.F.Akhundov, N.Vazirov, H.Vazirov, N.Narimanov, A.Hagverdiyev, J.Mammadguluzade and others), and also Russian (
N.V.Gogol,
I.S.Turgenev and
L.N.Tolstoy) and western European classics (W.Shakespeare,
Schiller and
Molière
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (, ; 15 January 1622 (baptised) – 17 February 1673), known by his stage name Molière (, , ), was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and worl ...
). Azerbaijani theatre became the center of spreading of enlightenment and democracy ideas from its first years. Morals of feudal society, oppression and despotism of landlord-capitalistic system, obscurantism and religious fanaticism were unmasked in “Fakhraddin’s tragedy”, “From the rain to shower” plays by N.Vazirov, “Broken nestle”, “Miserable young boy”, “
Agha Muhammad Shah Qajar” and “Sorceress Peri” plays by A.Hagverdiyev, “Ignorance” and “
Nadir Shah
Nader Shah Afshar ( fa, نادر شاه افشار; also known as ''Nader Qoli Beyg'' or ''Tahmāsp Qoli Khan'' ) (August 1688 – 19 June 1747) was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty of Iran and one of the most powerful rulers in Iranian ...
” plays by N.Narimanov.
New theatrical troupes, so called “comradeships” appeared under the influence of the
Russian Revolution of 1905-1907. A special troupe under “Tekamul” newspaper was created in oil-producing regions along with drama circles. Spectacles of the theatre were given in “Granvio” trade passage.
In 1908, a united drama troupe, uniting professional actors such as
H.Arablinski, S.Ruhulla and A.Veli, was created under “Nijat” charity union. The troupe had a cloakroom and props. Besides that, the troupe displayed spectacles in Taghiyev Theatre and in other regions. Such spectacles as “Agha Muhammad Shah Qajar” by A.Hagverdiyev (1907), “Blacksmith Gave” by
S.Sami (1908), “Robbers” (1907); “Deadmen” by J.Mammadguluzade (1916), “Othello” (1910), on which actor and director H.Arablinski had a great success and arts of who was penetrated by revolutionary and romantic inspiration, were significant events in the history of Azerbaijani theatre.
At that time such plays as “Gaveyi ahengar” (S.Sami), “Refugees” (Schiller), “Al-Mansur” (
H.Heine), “Othello” (W.Shakespeare), “Willy-nilly doctor” (J.B.Molière), “The government inspector”, “Marriage” (N.V.Gogol), “The first wine-maker” (L.N.Tolstoy) and others.
In 1919,
Azerbaijan State Theatre was created.
Development of Azerbaijani theatre in the Soviet period
All theatres in Azerbaijan were nationalized after establishment of the Soviet power and their repertoire was strictly controlled by authorities. Government united destroyed troupes, listed their actors to government service. National theatre acquired its further development due to financial support of the government. In 1920, a United State Theatre including Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian drama and opera theatres was created. In 1922, Azerbaijani drama troupe was transformed into Academic Drama Theatre. In 1920, a Russian satire-agitation theatre, transformed into Baku Labor Theatre in 1923, was created. Miniatures, revues, parodies to actual socio-political and everyday life themes were staged in the theatre. Along with these, stage versions of classic literature (“The Overcoat” by
N.V.Gogol, “The little house in Kolomna”, “
The Tale of the Priest and of His Workman Balda
"The Tale of the Priest and of his Workman Balda" (russian: «Сказка о попе и о работнике его Балде», Skazka o pope i o rabotnike yego Balde) is a fairy tale in verse by Alexander Pushkin. Pushkin wrote the tale ...
” by
A.S.Pushkin, “
The Grand Inquisitor
"The Grand Inquisitor" is a story within a story (called a poem by its fictional author, but not in verse) contained within Fyodor Dostoevsky's 1880 novel ''The Brothers Karamazov.'' It is recited by the character Ivan Karamazov, who questions his ...
” by
F.M.Dostoyevski, “The Mask”, “Pharmacist” by
Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; 29 January 1860 Old Style date 17 January. – 15 July 1904 Old Style date 2 July.) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer who is considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career ...
and others) were included into its repertoire. In 1921, Azerbaijani satire-agitation theatre was created, on the basis of which Azerbaijani worker-peasant theatre of Baku transferred into Turkish Labor Theatre of Baku in 1927, was established in 1925.
In 1928-1930,
Maxim Gorky
Alexei Maximovich Peshkov (russian: link=no, Алексе́й Макси́мович Пешко́в; – 18 June 1936), popularly known as Maxim Gorky (russian: Макси́м Го́рький, link=no), was a Russian writer and social ...
Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators and in 1938, Azerbaijan State Theatre of Musical Comedy was established.
In 1922, M.F.Akhundov
Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators
Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators () is a theatre located in the centre of Baku, Azerbaijan.
History of the theater
Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators (ASTYS) was founded in 1928 as Baku Children’s Theater according to the ...
of Tbilisi was created on the basis of Azerbaijani Theatre of
Tbilisi
Tbilisi ( ; ka, თბილისი ), in some languages still known by its pre-1936 name Tiflis ( ), is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River with a population of approximately 1.5 million p ...
and it existed until 1947. In 1928, Azerbaijani Theatre was organized in
Irevan - it was the first theatre of other nation in Armenia.
Важным событием явилась организация в Ереване в 1928 году Азербайджанского театра — первого театра другого народа на территории Армении.
Azerbaijani Musical Theatre
![Leyli by Ahmed Agdamski](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Leyli_by_Ahmed_Agdamski.jpg)
Popularity of theatre among nation and development of national Azerbaijani instruments favored formation of a new form of theatrical art – musical theatre. One-acted scenic images to poems such as “Leyli and Majnun” by
Fuzûlî and “Farhad and Shirin” by
Navai were displayed in 1897-1898, in Shusha and in 1901-1902, in Baku. On January 12, 1908 the first national “
Leyli and Majnun” opera by
Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Uzeyir bey Abdulhuseyn oghlu Hajibeyov ( az, Üzeyir bəy Əbdülhüseyn oğlu Hacıbəyov; russian: Узеир Абдул-Гусейн оглы Гаджибеков, translit=Uzeir Abdul-Guseyn ogly Gadzhibekov; September 18, 1885November 23, 19 ...
was staged in Baku. History of professional musical theatre of Azerbaijan was originated since that time. Initially, repertoire of Azerbaijani Musical Theatre consisted of works by U.Hajibeyov, who created “Leyli and Majnun”, “
Shaikh Sanan”, “
Rostam and Sohrab
The tragedy of Rostam and Sohrab forms part of the 10th-century Persian epic ''Shahnameh'' by the Persian poet Ferdowsi. It tells the tragic story of the heroes Rostam and his son, Sohrab.Ebrahimi, Mokhtar & Taheri, Abdollah. (2017). The Tragedy ...
” “
Shah Abbas and Khurshid Banu” operas, and also such musical comedies as “Husband and wife”, “
If Not That One, Then This One
''If Not That One, Then This One'' (; ), also known as ''Mashadi Ibad'' (; ) is a 1910 Azerbaijani operetta in four acts written by composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov. The comedy reflects social and everyday life relations in prerevolutionary Azerbaija ...
” and “
Arshin mal alan” musical comedies in 1908-1913. Soon, the repertoire of the musical theatre was enriched with new works by
Z.Hajibeyov (“Ashiq Garib” opera” and “Fifty years old young” and “Married bachelor” musical comedies), “
Shah Ismayil” opera by
M.Magomayev, “Molla Jabi” and “Vurhavur” musical comedies by M.M.Kazimski, “Seyfalmulk” opera by M.Amirov and others.
References
{{Europe in topic, Theatre in
Azerbaijani-language works