SALAVAT YULAYEV, opera by Z.G.Ismagilov

SALAVAT YULAYEV, opera by Z.G.Ismagilov in 4 acts. Written in 1954. The premiere took place in Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre on April 15, 1955 (libretto by B.Bikbay, music director and conductor — V.V.Tselikovsky, stage directors — A.N.Bakaleynikov and A.K.Mubaryakov, scenographer — M.N.Arslanov, choirmaster — L.H. Iskhakova, ballet masters — F.A.Gaskarov and H.G.Safiullin). S.Yu. is a historical‑heroic musical drama, the key theme is the friendship of the Bashkir and the Russian peoples. The plot is based on the events of the Peasant War of 1773—75. The peculiarities of the musical art mentality of Bashkirs and the traditions of the Russian classical opera are embodied in this work. The musical dramaturgy is based on the leitmotifs, where 2 folk songs play the leading role: Bashk. song Salavat (the theme of the protagonist and the Bashk. people) and Russian song Don’t Make Noise, Mother Green Oak Forest (the theme of the Russian people).

The premiere of the 2nd edition took place in Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre on May 25, 1977 (libretto by B.Bikbay, music director and conductor — G.H.Mutalov, stage director — M.M.Hismatullin, scenographer — M.N.Arslanov, choirmaster — L.H. Iskhakova, ballet master — E.H.Tann), the 3rd edition in Russian — Apr 17, 1988 (libretto by B.Bikbay, translation by M.Lapisova, conductor — Ya.A.Voshchak, stage director — R.M.Galeyev, scenographers — M.N.Arslanov and R.M.Arslanov, choirmaster — E.H.Gayfullina, ballet master — F.M.Sattarov), the 4th edition — June 30, 1994 (libretto by B.Bikbay, conductor — V.I.Platonov, stage directors — M.M.Khismatullin and J.Absalyamova, scenographer — B.Ya.Torik, choirmaster — E.H.Gayfullina, ballet master — A.H.Zubaidullin), the 5th edition in Bashkir and Russian — December 16, 2016 (libretto by B.Bikbay, music director and conductor — A.V.Makarov, stage director — I.A.Gabitov, scenographer — R.M.Arslanov, choirmasters — A.L.Alekseyev and A.R.Belogonova, ballet master — Sh.A.Teregulov).