Baku: The opening ceremony of the 18th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival has been held, APA reports. This year's festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, commenced with a concert by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the concert program at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall featured an array of compositions. These included the overture to Uzeyir Hajibeyli's opera "Koroghlu" and the overture to Muslim Magomayev's opera "Shah Ismayil," which was arranged by Gara Garayev. The program also presented the duet "By the Spring" from A. Rahimkulova's ballet "Kozy Korpesh-Bayan Sulu," M. Bagaliyev's "Festive Overture," O. Gulbay's "Rhapsody" for flute, oboe, and orchestra, R. Nepesov's "Yunus," R. Abdullayev's "Love Song," and S. Laszlo's "Transylvanian Dance" for violin and orchestra.

The Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra's performance was conducted by Honored Artist Fuad Ibrahimov, showcasing a wide selection of works that highlighted the festival's dedication to celebrating musical heritage.