Babek (ballet)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Babek (Azerbaijani: Babək) is a heroic Spartacus-like ballet in two acts, based on the story of the people’s liberation struggle against Abbasid Caliphate under the leadership of Babak Khorramdin. Akshin Alizadeh composed the music and the prominent Azeri choreographers of the Soviet era Rafiga Akhundova and Maksud Mamedov choreographed the ballet for Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (National Ballet of Azerbaijan) in 1986.[1]
The ballet creation narrates the story of the brave Iranian national hero, Babak Khorramdin, who in the 9th century led the rebellion against foreign occupying forces and local feudal lords in Iran. Babak succeeded Javidan, a rebel who had led the resistance during many years. On his deathbed, Javidan declares Babak as his successor and the one who would lead the resistance against the foreign occupation. For more than twenty-two years, Babak bravely fought the Arab invaders from his remote castle in the mountains of northwestern Iran and inflicted heavy casualties on the army of the Abbasid Caliphate. Finally he was betrayed by Afshin and captured by the army of the Caliph. Babak was brutally executed but his legend lives until today.[1]
World premiere
Created for the National Ballet of Azerbaijan, the ballet was staged in Baku at V.I. Lenin Palace[2] (now Heydar Aliyev Palace) on 20 May 1986. The principal role of the ballet was performed by Vitaliy Akhundov,[2] winner of the Grand Soviet Ballet Contest. Four performances were staged at the V.I. Lenin Palace and later the ballet was included in the repertoire of the national ballet at Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.[3]