Baku, April 20, 2025 — The Europe Today: Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, attended the presentation of the opera “Cinderella”, performed by the internationally renowned 200-member ensemble of the Helikon-Opera Moscow Musical Theater at the Heydar Aliyev Palace.
The opera, composed by the late Azerbaijani musician Leonid Weinstein—a distinguished student of the legendary composer Gara Garayev—was brought to life under the baton of People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Adigozalov. This vibrant and imaginative musical work is hailed as a performance that “every little princess must see,” delighting audiences with its memorable melodies and dynamic stage presentation.
The event drew an esteemed audience, including Mikhail Gusman, First Deputy Director General of the Russian TASS News Agency; renowned theater and film director, television host, actor, and public figure Yuli Gusman; Timur Weinstein, son of Leonid Weinstein and Deputy Director General – General Producer of NTV TV Channel, along with his family; as well as Farhad Badalbayli, Rector of the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli and People’s Artist of Azerbaijan. Numerous public and political figures were also in attendance.
The original premiere of “Cinderella” took place in Baku in 1985 at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Now, 35 years later, the timeless tale has been revitalized with large-scale set designs and state-of-the-art holographic technology, offering a visually enchanting experience.
Based on the classic fairytale by Charles Perrault, the opera celebrates the eternal triumph of kindness and beauty over hatred and malice. With the guidance of a captivating Storyteller character, audiences of all ages were immersed in the magical narrative. The performance featured mesmerizing visual transformations—pumpkins into glittering carriages, mice into majestic horses, and Cinderella into a radiant princess—with each theatergoer invited to metaphorically “try on” the legendary glass slipper.
The production was directed by Ilya Ilyin, with Dmitry Bertman serving as the artistic director. The opera received an enthusiastic response from the audience, underscoring its powerful appeal and cultural significance.
