Leyli and Majnun (opera)

Leyli and Majnun was the first opera by the 23-year-old Uzeyir Hajibeyli, with a libretto based on Muhammad Fuzuli's poem of the same name. It premiered in Baku on 25 January 1908 (12 January Old Style) at the theatre of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev.

It joined European operatic form with mugham: singers improvised the mugham sections, and the tar and kamancha played in the orchestra. Huseyngulu Sarabski sang Majnun.

The opera is still performed at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre and remains one of the best-loved works of Azerbaijani music. Its premiere laid the foundation of the Azerbaijani school of composition.