Muslim Magometovich Magomaev

Born Aug. 17, 1942, in Baku. Soviet singer (baritone). People’s Artist of the USSR (1973).

Magomaev was born into a musical family; his grandfather was the composer A. M. M. Magomaev. He was a member of Sh. Mamedova’s voice class at the Azerbaijan Conservatory, graduating in 1968. Since 1963, Magomaev has been a soloist with the M. F. Akhundov Azerbaijani Theater of Opera and Ballet. In 1964-65 he was a probationer at La Scala in Milan.

Magomaev possesses a powerful voice and colorful temperament. His performance is distinguished by an expressive, elevated style. He often appears in concert and performs abroad. His repertoire includes operatic arias, Soviet and Neapolitan songs, and works by contemporary foreign composers and songwriters. He has composed a number of his own songs. At the International Song Festival in Sopot (Poland) in 1969, Magomaev won first prize. He has been awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.