The Zhiganov Kazan State Conservatory presented its version of the opera Jalil on the main stage of the new Kamal Theater building. The evening was dedicated to the memory of renowned Tatar cultural figures—poet Musa Jalil and composer Nazib Zhiganov, the author of the opera (who passed away on June 2, 1988)—as well as the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War and the anniversary of the Conservatory.

The opera is centered on the poet’s reflections during his final hours in the Moabit prison cell. “Facing death, his thoughts return to his homeland, family, comrades, to all those for whom he fought and gave his life,” was announced before the opera began.

The performers were students and faculty of the conservatory. The role of Jalil was played by Algiz Khaydarshin, while the poet’s wife was portrayed by Sombel Kiyamova. The production featured the opera studio choir under the direction of Alfiya Zaparova, the conservatory’s student choir led by artistic director Yury Karpov, the choir of the Special Music School headed by Svetlana Ustyugova, and the Kazan Conservatory Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rinat Khalitov.

The opera premiered on April 15, 2025, at the Saydashev Big Concert Hall and opened the Kazan Conservatory – Peer of Victory festival.

To recall, poet and journalist Musa Jalil was drafted into the Red Army in 1941. In June 1942, he was severely wounded and taken prisoner, where he joined the “Idel-Ural” legion formed by the Nazis. In 1943, the legion’s 825th battalion staged an uprising, and some soldiers escaped. The Gestapo arrested members of the underground anti-fascist group, including Jalil. He was imprisoned in Moabit and executed on August 25, 1944. His literary legacy became known to the world in 1953, when the poems he had written in prison were published. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on February 2, 1956, Jalil was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his exceptional resilience and courage in fighting against the Nazi invaders.

Source: business-gazeta.ru