"Today they are taking their first steps, and tomorrow they may perform on the world's most prestigious opera stages." This idea was at the heart of the concert "Young Voices Speak to the Future" (Gənc səslər gələcəyə səslənir), held as part of the 3rd Fidan Hajiyeva International Opera Festival. The concert took place at the Fidan Hajiyeva Vocal Music School and was one of the festival's events bringing together established artists and young performers. For the young vocalists, the concert offered an opportunity not only to demonstrate their abilities but also to experience the professional world of opera firsthand.
The programme featured vocalists Anar Hamidli, Aysu Aliyeva, Roya Aliyeva, Ali Aliyev, Rauf Mammadzada, Laman Mustafazade and Zahra Khanim Abdullayeva, who performed works by Azerbaijani and international classical composers. The concertmasters were Samra Hasanli and Arzu Aslan. Special attention during the evening was given to the project's main goal - supporting young talent and creating their first professional opportunities.
People's Artist of Azerbaijan Fidan Hajiyeva said the current festival has become a major event in the country's musical life. For the first time in Azerbaijan, she noted, a classical arts festival of this scale is being held over three months, from September 7 to December 7. "I want the young soloist performing on the festival stage today to represent Azerbaijan on the world's leading opera stages years from now and to say that one of the first steps in their professional career was taken at this festival," Hajiyeva said.
She stressed that art cannot be preserved without passing it on to future generations. "Art is passed from one generation to another. Our duty is not only to preserve the artistic heritage we have inherited, but also to pass it on to future generations in an even richer and more meaningful form," the People's Artist said.
Hajiyeva described the festival as an investment in the future of Azerbaijan's national opera. "Every young voice we nurture and support today may become the voice of Azerbaijan's culture tomorrow," she said. She also highlighted the festival events being held at universities across the country.
According to Hajiyeva, it is important for young people to experience classical art not only through textbooks and the internet. "It is not enough for young people to learn about opera only through textbooks or the internet. I believe that a live concert, an opera aria or the experience of performing on stage can change a young person's attitude toward art and music," she said.
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