APersonIndependent states
Uzeyir Hajibeyli
Founder of Azerbaijani professional music (1885–1948), composer of the first opera of the Muslim East and of Azerbaijan's national anthem.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli was born in Aghjabadi on 18 September 1885 and grew up in Shusha. He graduated from the Gori Teachers' Seminary and worked in Baku as a teacher and journalist.
In 1908 his opera Leyli and Majnun was staged — the first opera of the Muslim East. It was followed by mugham operas such as Sheikh Sanan and Asli and Karam, the musical comedies Husband and Wife, If Not That One, Then This One and Arshin Mal Alan, and in 1937 the opera Koroghlu. His March of Azerbaijan of 1919 is today the national anthem.
Hajibeyli headed the Azerbaijan Conservatory, founded the orchestra of folk instruments and wrote The Principles of Azerbaijani Folk Music. He died in Baku on 23 November 1948. His birthday, 18 September, is Azerbaijan's National Music Day.
Sources
Updated: October 1, 2026