“Among Ancient Stones”: The Palace of the Shirvanshahs Transformed into a Venue for Classical Music
One of Baku’s oldest historical sites – the Palace of the Shirvanshahs Complex – took on a different mission this time: classical music sounded among stone walls that have witnessed centuries. The "Among Ancient Stones" concert, part of the III Fidan Hajiyeva International Opera Festival, gave audiences…
Tunzale Melikova3 min read
Updated: September 19, 2026 10:30 pm
One of Baku’s oldest historical sites – the Palace of the Shirvanshahs Complex – took on a different mission this time: classical music sounded among stone walls that have witnessed centuries. The “Among Ancient Stones” concert, part of the III Fidan Hajiyeva International Opera Festival, gave audiences an unforgettable evening.
The event opened with the National Anthem, followed by a rich program featuring works by Azerbaijani as well as foreign composers – from opera and operetta arias to duets, choral performances and instrumental works, presenting audiences with a broad spectrum.
The atmosphere of the square in front of the palace added a special mood to the concert: classical notes sounding against the backdrop of ancient stones created a rare moment in which Baku’s centuries-old history intersected with contemporary musical art.
Alongside People’s Artist Fidan Hajiyeva, young students of her Vocal Music School – Gülsüm Khalilova, Məhəmməd Şammədov, Səməd Novruzov, Səid Məmmədov, Atilla Qərib and Atilla Məmmədov – performed on stage. The Mezzo Children’s Choir and Mezzo Women’s Chamber Orchestra, founded by Fidan Hajiyeva, were also among the highlights of the evening. The special guest of the concert was The Passion Strings quartet.
Thus, the concert was remembered not only as one part of the festival program, but also as a unique musical journey in which classical art was presented in harmony with Azerbaijan’s historical and architectural heritage.
The III Fidan Hajiyeva International Opera Festival was organized in honor of the People’s Artist’s 50th anniversary and 30-year creative career. This year, the festival has taken on an international scale for the first time, going beyond Baku’s borders – events are being held in Azerbaijan’s regions as well as in Paris, London, Milan and Minsk.
The festival program includes nearly 30 music and cultural events, and this large-scale classical art festival, unprecedented in the history of Azerbaijan, will continue for three months – from September 7 to December 7.
One of the project’s important directions is the “Young Voices Call to the Future” project. Within this framework, solo performances by young soloists, joint concerts, vocal evenings and master classes are organized; the aim is to discover new talents and provide them with an opportunity to prove themselves on the big stage.
The festival will conclude on December 7 with the gala concert “Carmen. Half a Century of the Artist’s Life” at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The musical accompaniment will be provided by the Niyazi State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by People’s Artist Yalchin Adigozalov. A guest performance by a renowned flamenco group from Spain will add a special touch to the gala concert.
