38. The musical score to Azerbaijan's first ballet "Giz Galasi" (Maiden Tower) composed by Afrasiyab Badalbeyli in 1941. 39,40. Scene from Maiden
Tower from the revision made to Badalbeyli's ballet. The new
version of the ballet rids the plot of ideological propaganda.
This time, there is no father-daughter incestual relationship.
The plot is simply: A khan sees a beautiful girl, Gulyanag, in
one of the villages that is under his authority. He wants to
marry her, but she already has a fiancé, Polad. When the
khan tries to force her to marry him, Gulyanag asks him to build
a tower, hoping to gain some time. He does so. 41. Famous ballerina, the
late Gamar
Almaszade, performing the role of the maiden in Azerbaijan's
first ballet, Maiden Tower by composer Afrasiyab Badalbeyli.
1941. See "My Life as Azerbaijan's First Ballerina,"
by Gamar Almaszade, AI 10.3 (Autumn 2002). |