Elchin Azizov
Opera singer, baritone
People's Artist of Azerbaijan
Elchin Azizov
Opera singer, baritone
People's Artist of Azerbaijan
CALENDAR
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
7, 9, 11 May
19:00
"LA TRAVIATA"
Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father
Opera in two acts 16+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
New stage
23 November
19:00
"IOLANTA"
Ibn-Hakia, a Moorish physician
Opera in two acts 12+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 2 hours 35 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
New stage
16, 18 January
19:00
"TOSCA"
Baron Scarpia, chief of police
Opera in three acts 12+
Presented with two intervals.
Running time: 3 hours 10 minutes.
MOSCOW STATE CONSERVATORY
Great Hall
31 October
19:00
"Dedication to Mstislav Rostropovich"
E.F. Svetlanov State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, A.A. Yurlov State Cappella of Russia. Conductor - Francesco Ommassini (Italy).
С. Rachmaninoff
"Bells", poem for soloists, mixed chorus and symphony orchestra, Op. 35
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
27 September
19:00
29 September
14:00
"DON CARLO"
Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa
Opera in four acts
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
Sung in Italian.
TEATRO REGIO TORINO
3,6,8,11,13,16 April 2025
"THE QUEEN OF SPADES"
Count Tomsky
Opera in four acts
Running time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
22 May
19:00
"CARMEN"
Escamillo
Opera in four acts 16+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 10 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
New stage
24, 26 April
19:00
28 April
14:00
"LUISA MILLER"
Miller, a retired soldier
Opera in three acts 12+
Presented with one interval.
HELIKON-OPERA
STRAVINSKYI HALL
26 May
16:00
STAND-UP CONCERT
"OPERA WITHOUT THE BOW TIE"
A unique stand-up concert in which Elchin combines his two talents on stage - the ability to joke and to tell stories with the performance of favourite arias from his opera repertoire.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
20 February
19:00
"THE TSAR'S BRIDE"
Grigory Grigorevich Gryaznoy, oprichnik
Opera in four acts 12+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 20 minutes.
BIOGRAPHY
Hello! You are warmly welcome to my homepage!
My name is Elchin Azizov. I was born in the sunny city of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. I was an active child, I participated in various sports clubs and was a soloist of the children’s choir “Jujalarim”. At the age of 12 or 13 I lost my clear ringing voice and stopped singing. However, I fell in love with filmmaking and started studying hard to become a film director.
When I was in high school in 1992, the Russian TV show KVN came into my life and I started singing again. For those who don’t know, KVN has been a popular TV show since the Soviet period. It is a comedy show where the university students show their best in improvisation and humour. By the way, the KVN team “Parni iz Baku”, of which I was a member, became a multiple champion. It won the “Top 10 teams of the 20th century” competition and was awarded the title of “The best team of the 20th century”! The same year I got into the Directing Department of the Azrbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. I was filming a lot. During my studies I was making short films, whereas after graduation I did commercials and presentations.
I could tell you a lot about my acting career and restaurant management up to 2005, and some of you would really be interested in that. But since you are here, most probably you are interested in opera.
I began operatic singing training in 2005. Right after my 30th anniversary I went to the Mozarteum International Summer Academy in Salzburg. Two-week master-class by the professor of the Oberlin Conservatory, Richard Miller from the USA, made me understand that I was on the right track. At the Mozarteum Academy I met an amazing singing coach, Alessandro Mishashi, who was teaching me for the following year. During that year I spent one month in Salzburg and every other month in Baku. There I was studying with an incredible conductor, the director of the Opera Studio at the Baku Music Academy, professor Azad Aliev.
In November 2006 I was introduced to the great and unique Galina Pavlovna Vishnevskaya who visited Baku at that time. It was very exciting.
- Tenor?
- Baritone!
-- Will you sing?
- Yes, I will!
And after I sang, she invited me to study at her Opera Centre in Moscow.
read more
I came to Moscow in January, 2007. The unique tenor, the Bolshoi soloist Badri Maisuradze used to be my teacher and coach.
In the early spring of 2007, Galina Pavlovna entrusted me with the part of Escamillo in opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet. At that time, I finally realized that I would like to dedicate my life to opera, as long as I had enough health, strength and voice power.
I continued my studies at the Opera Centre and performed at concerts. In the summer of 2008, my singing was heard by Makvala Kasrashvili, a great soprano singer, People’s Artist of the USSR, The Director of Opera at the Bolshoi Theatre. She suggested me to audition and the miracle happened! In exactly three years after I had begun my studies, I became the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.
I won’t be telling you about each and every performance or operatic role I have had, but I would like to write about the most important moments in my singing career.
Opera "Iolanta", Ibn-Hakia, a Moorish physician.
I made my debut as Ibn-Hakia in the Opera Iolanta at the Bolshoi Theatre as well as at the Vienna State Opera, the Theater an der Wien, the Theatres of Warsaw, Dresden, Florence and in New York, at the Metropolitan Opera.
That was where I went on stage together with the unique and one-of-a-kind opera singer, Anna Netrebko. An amazing Maestro, Valery Gergiev, was at the conductor’s stand. The premier was a great success and since that time I frequently played on stage of that magnificent theatre. That was where I achieved ‘excellence’ of that operatic role, I didn’t even need to put on make-up to go on stage. I’ve been lucky to work with Valery Gergiev on many occasions. In 2015, my friend, colleague and countryman, a great tenor Yusif Eyvazov married Anna Netrebko, and our friendship on and off stage has become even stronger. We have toured the world with concerts together!
Opera "The Tsar’s Bride", Grigory Gryaznoy, an oprichnik.
It was my first serious operatic role. It made me realize that I like to play negative characters more than to play positive ones. It’s very interesting. And it’s much harder to convince the audience to love the villain and to have empathy for him. I fell in love with the music. I performed "The Tsar’s Bride" almost as many times as I performed "Iolanta".
Opera "Tosca", Baron Scarpia, chief of police.
I was offered this operatic role for the first time in 2011. I listened to this opera for several times in a row. You can call me a hypocrite but I didn’t like it at all, so I had to decline the part. Only after 6 years since that first offer, I ‘grew up’ to "Tosca". I fell in love with the music and this incredible villain. I have performed this part many times at different theatres and I still enjoy this unique musical masterpiece.
‘I am the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia’. You wouldn’t believe it, my dear friends, but this phrase makes my heart flutter for more than a decade. I just happened to be the first Azerbaijanian who became the full-time soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre. It is a great honour and a big responsibility!
I continue to sing at the Bolshoi Theatre and other theatres of the world. I’m happy to have an opportunity for self-realization!
CALENDAR
BOLSHOI THEATRE
New stage
23 November
19:00
"IOLANTA"
Ibn-Hakia, a Moorish physician
Opera in two acts 12+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 2 hours 35 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
New stage
16, 18 January
19:00
"TOSCA"
Baron Scarpia, chief of police
Opera in three acts 12+
Presented with two intervals.
Running time: 3 hours 10 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
7, 9, 11 May
19:00
"LA TRAVIATA"
Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father
Opera in four acts 16+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
27 September
19:00
29 September
14:00
"DON CARLO"
Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa
Opera in four acts
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
Sung in Italian.
TEATRO REGIO TORINO
3,6,8,11,13,16 April 2025
"THE QUEEN OF SPADES"
Count Tomsky
Opera in four acts
Running time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
MOSCOW STATE CONSERVATORY
Great Hall
31 October
19:00
"Dedication to Mstislav Rostropovich"
E.F. Svetlanov State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, A.A. Yurlov State Cappella of Russia. Conductor - Francesco Ommassini (Italy).
С. Rachmaninoff
"Bells", poem for soloists, mixed chorus and symphony orchestra, Op. 35
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
22 May
19:00
"CARMEN"
Escamillo
Opera in four acts 16+
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 10 minutes.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
New stage
24, 26 April
19:00
28 April
14:00
"LUISA MILLER"
Miller, a retired soldier
Opera in three acts 12+
Presented with one intervals.
HELIKON-OPERA
STRAVINSKYI HALL
26 May
16:00
STAND-UP CONCERT
"OPERA WITHOUT THE BOW TIE"
A unique stand-up concert in which Elchin combines his two talents on stage - the ability to joke and to tell stories with the performance of favourite arias from his opera repertoire.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
Historic stage
20 February
19:00
"THE TRAR'S BRIDE"
Grigory Grigorevich Gryaznoy, oprichnik
Opera in four acts 12+
Presented with one intervals.
Running time: 3 hours 20 minutes.
BIOGRAPHY
Hello! You are warmly welcome to my homepage!
My name is Elchin Azizov. I was born in the sunny city of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. I was an active child, I participated in various sports clubs and was a soloist of the children’s choir “Jujalarim”. At the age of 12 or 13 I lost my clear ringing voice and stopped singing. However, I fell in love with filmmaking and started studying hard to become a film director.
When I was in high school in 1992, the Russian TV show KVN came into my life and I started singing again. For those who don’t know, KVN has been a popular TV show since the Soviet period. It is a comedy show where the university students show their best in improvisation and humour. By the way, the KVN team “Parni iz Baku”, of which I was a member, became a multiple champion. It won the “Top 10 teams of the 20th century” competition and was awarded the title of “The best team of the 20th century”! The same year I got into the Directing Department of the Azrbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. I was filming a lot. During my studies I was making short films, whereas after graduation I did commercials and presentations.
I could tell you a lot about my acting career and restaurant management up to 2005, and some of you would really be interested in that. But since you are here, most probably you are interested in opera.
I began operatic singing training in 2005. Right after my 30th anniversary I went to the Mozarteum International Summer Academy in Salzburg. Two-week master-class by the professor of the Oberlin Conservatory, Richard Miller from the USA, made me understand that I was on the right track. At the Mozarteum Academy I met an amazing singing coach, Alessandro Mishashi, who was teaching me for the following year. During that year I spent one month in Salzburg and every other month in Baku. There I was studying with an incredible conductor, the director of the Opera Studio at the Baku Music Academy, professor Azad Aliev.
In November 2006 I was introduced to the great and unique Galina Pavlovna Vishnevskaya who visited Baku at that time. It was very exciting.
-- Tenor?
-- Baritone!
-- Will you sing?
- Yes, I will!
And after I sang, she invited me to study at her Opera Centre in Moscow.
READ MORE
I came to Moscow in January, 2007. The unique tenor, the Bolshoi soloist Badri Maisuradze used to be my teacher and coach.
In the early spring of 2007, Galina Pavlovna entrusted me with the part of Escamillo in opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet. At that time, I finally realized that I would like to dedicate my life to opera, as long as I had enough health, strength and voice power.
I continued my studies at the Opera Centre and performed at concerts. In the summer of 2008, my singing was heard by Makvala Kasrashvili, a great soprano singer, People’s Artist of the USSR, The Director of Opera at the Bolshoi Theatre. She suggested me to audition and the miracle happened! In exactly three years after I had begun my studies, I became the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.
I won’t be telling you about each and every performance or operatic role I have had, but I would like to write about the most important moments in my singing career.
Opera "Iolanta", Ibn-Hakia, a Moorish physician.
I made my debut as Ibn-Hakia in the Opera "Iolanta" at the Bolshoi Theatre as well as at the Vienna State Opera, the Theater an der Wien, the Theatres of Warsaw, Dresden, Florence and in New York, at the Metropolitan Opera.
That was where I went on stage together with the unique and one-of-a-kind opera singer, Anna Netrebko. An amazing Maestro, Valery Gergiev, was at the conductor’s stand. The premier was a great success and since that time I frequently played on stage of that magnificent theatre. That was where I achieved ‘excellence’ of that operatic role, I didn’t even need to put on make-up to go on stage. I’ve been lucky to work with Valery Gergiev on many occasions. In 2015, my friend, colleague and countryman, a great tenor Yusif Eyvazov married Anna Netrebko, and our friendship on and off stage has become even stronger. We have toured the world with concerts together!
Opera "The Tsar’s Bride", Grigory Gryaznoy, an oprichnik. It was my first serious operatic role. It made me realize that I like to play negative characters more than to play positive ones. It’s very interesting. And it’s much harder to convince the audience to love the villain and to have empathy for him. I fell in love with the music. I performed "The Tsar’s Bride" almost as many times as I performed "Iolanta".
Opera "Tosca", Baron Scarpia, chief of police.
I was offered this operatic role for the first time in 2011. I listened to this opera for several times in a row. You can call me a hypocrite but I didn’t like it at all, so I had to decline the part. Only after 6 years since that first offer, I ‘grew up’ to "Tosca". I fell in love with the music and this incredible villain. I have performed this part many times at different theatres and I still enjoy this unique musical masterpiece.
‘I am the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia’. You wouldn’t believe it, my dear friends, but this phrase makes my heart flutter for more than a decade. I just happened to be the first Azerbaijanian who became the full-time soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre. It is a great honour and a big responsibility!
I continue to sing at the Bolshoi Theatre and other theatres of the world. I’m happy to have an opportunity for self-realization!
TITLES AND AWARDS
- Winner of the International Professional Music Award BraVo-2022
- The "Commonwealth Star" Award (December 21, 2021) - the main award of the Commonwealth of Independent States for the highest services in the humanitarian sphere
- People's Artist of Azerbaijan (May 27, 2018) - for services in the development of Azerbaijani culture
- Honored Artist of Azerbaijan (September 15, 2011) - for services in the development of Azerbaijani culture
- Winner of the Galina Vishnevskaya's II International Opera Artists Competition (II prize, Moscow, 2008)
- International Union of Musicians Medalist (Moscow, 2006)
- "Intellect - 2006" Award (Baku, Azerbaijan)
- Winner of the III International Byul-Byul Competition (IV prize, Baku, 2005)
- KVN Super Cup Winner and "The best team of the 20th century" title holder (2000)
- KVN Summer Cup Winner (1995)
- KVN Higher League Champion ( 1992)
REPERTOIRE
- Scarpia (“Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini)
- Grigory Gryaznoy (“The Tsar’s Bride” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov)
- Escamillo (“Carmen” by Georges Bizet)
- Renato («Un Ballo in Maschera» by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Rodrigo (“Don Carlo” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Count Tomsky, Zlatogor (“The Queen of Spades” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky)
- Lescaut (“Manon Lescaut” by Giacomo Puccini)
- Miller (“Luisa Miller” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Ibn-Hakia (“Iolanta” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky)
- Aleko ("Aleko" by S. Rachmaninoff)
- Alfio ( "Cavalleria rusticana" by P. Mascagni)
- Igor Svyatoslavich (“Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin)
- Mizgir (“The Snow Maiden” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov)
- Giorgio Germont (“La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Andrey Shchelkalov (“Boris Godunov” by Modest Mussorgsky)
- Dr Falke (an operetta “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss)
- Leandro (“The Love for Three Oranges” by Sergei Prokofiev)
- Onegin (“Eugene Onegin” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky)
- Iago (“Otello” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Amonasro ("Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Rigoletto (“Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Carlo Gerard (“Andrea Chenier” by Umberto Giordano)
- Macbeth (“Macbeth” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Paolo Albiani (“Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi)
- High Priest of Dagon and Abimelech (”Samson et Dalila” by Camille Saint-Saens
REPERTOIRE
- Scarpia (“Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini)
- Grigory Gryaznoy (“The Tsar’s Bride” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov)
- Escamillo (“Carmen” by Georges Bizet)
- Renato («Un Ballo in Maschera» by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Rodrigo (“Don Carlo” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Count Tomsky, Zlatogor (“The Queen of Spades” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky)
- Lescaut (“Manon Lescaut” by Giacomo Puccini)
- Miller (“Luisa Miller” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Ibn-Hakia (“Iolanta” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky)
- Aleko ("Aleko" by S. Rachmaninoff)
- Alfio ( "Cavalleria rusticana" by P. Mascagni)
- Igor Svyatoslavich (“Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin)
- Mizgir (“The Snow Maiden” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov)
- Giorgio Germont (“La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Andrey Shchelkalov (“Boris Godunov” by Modest Mussorgsky)
- Dr Falke (an operetta “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss)
- Leandro (“The Love for Three Oranges” by Sergei Prokofiev)
- Onegin (“Eugene Onegin” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky)
- Iago (“Otello” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Amonasro ("Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Rigoletto (“Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Carlo Gerard (“Andrea Chenier” by Umberto Giordano)
- Macbeth (“Macbeth” by Giuseppe Verdi)
- Paolo Albiani (“Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi)
- High Priest of Dagon and Abimelech (”Samson et Dalila” by Camille Saint-Saens
GALLERY
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Oleg Tegati
Photo by Damir Yusupov
Photo by Damir Yusupov
Photo by Damir Yusupov
Photo by Oles Paritsky
Photo by Oles Paritsky
Photo by Oles Paritsky
Photo by Oles Paritsky
Photo by Oles Paritsky
VIDEOS
Warning!
The copyrights to the videos posted on the site belong to the official rights holders.
Any use and copying of them is prohibited!
«Un Ballo in Maschera»
by Giuseppe Verdi
Renato's aria.
“Iolanta” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Ibn-Hakia's aria.
“The Tsar’s Bride” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Gryaznoy's aria " S uma neydet krasavitsa".
“The Tsar’s Bride” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Gryaznoy's aria "Stradalitsa nevinnaya, prosti".
“Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin. Aria "Ni sna, ni otdyha".
“Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin. Aria "Zachem ne pal ya na pole brani".
“Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini
"Te Deum".
“The Snow Maiden” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
Aria "Na tyoplom sinem morye".
“Manon Lescaut” by Giacomo Puccini. Manon and Lescaut's duet. (Manon - Anna Netrebko).
«Mazeppa» by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Aria "О, Маriya".
“Don Carlo” by Giuseppe Verdi. Rodrigo's death scene. (Don Carlo - Yusif Eyvazov).
"Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi. Aria Rigoletto. International Opera Festival named after F.I. Chaliapin, Kazan.
"Margulis home concert" on NTV. Songs from Muslim Magomayev's repertoire
KVN. Crocus Hall.
TELLMANN 49 / Elchin Azizov
Kadyrova.online - Dreams come true with Elchin Azizov and Gama Malikova
INTERVIEWS
ELCHIN AZIZOV: "ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY AND SEARCH FOR ONE'S PURPOSE IN LIFE! IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!"
The incredible and exciting success story of Elchin Azizov.
ELCHIN AZIZOV: "MY WIFE IS MY SYMBOL OF CONFIDENCE IN LIFE"
The singer, the first full-time Azerbaijani soloist in the history of the Bolshoi Theater, talks about how it's never too late to start over.
ELCHIN AZIZOV: THE CARDINAL OF GREAT CHANGES
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change" Albert Einstein.
Elchin Azizov: "If I am on stage, I have to do everything to the maximum.
A conversation about modern opera, the Bolshoi repertoire, teachers, and the important things in the life and profession of every artist.
INTERVIEWS
ELCHIN AZIZOV: "ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY AND SEARCH FOR ONE'S PURPOSE IN LIFE! IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!"
The incredible and exciting success story of Elchin Azizov.
ELCHIN AZIZOV: "MY WIFE IS MY SYMBOL OF CONFIDENCE IN LIFE"
The singer, the first full-time Azerbaijani soloist in the history of the Bolshoi Theater, talks about how it's never too late to start over.
ELCHIN AZIZOV: THE CARDINAL OF GREAT CHANGES
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change" Albert Einstein.
Elchin Azizov: "If I am on stage, I have to do everything to the maximum.
A conversation about modern opera, the Bolshoi repertoire, teachers, and the important things in the life and profession of every artist.
CONTACTS
© 2024 Elchin Azizov. All rights reserved.
CONTACTS
© 2024 Elchin Azizov. All rights reserved.