If Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan and SSSR Muslim Magomayev were alive today, he would be 69 years old.
Prominent opera and Estrada singer of Azerbaijan Muslim Magomayev was born in 1942.
For the first time, he gained his success in 1962, at the stage of the Sailor’s club (Denizchiler) at the age of 14. At recommendation of Maestro Niyazi, he took part at an international youth music festival in Helsinki, the Finnish capital and returned with an award. In this connection, the popular magazine Ogonyok published his portrait and the article entitled “A youngster from Baku conquers the world".
Magomayev was the soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in the 1960s, was on probation in the La Scala theatre in Milan. Muslim earned fame as an opera singer with Rossini's "Barber of Seville". He also became known for his aria from Puccini's "Tosca".
In the former USSR, Muslim was the one who brought opera to Estrada. At the very young age of 31, he was awarded the People's Artist of the USSR. His repertoire comprised up to 600 compositions. The great singer was also a great composer and author of unique songs.
Muslim Magomayev died on October 25, 2008. Huge work is carried out today to perpetuate the memory of the great singer. The part of this work was the opening ceremony of the memorial board on the house in Baku where Muslim Magomayev lived.