The soprano career of Zeynab Khanlarova reached international audiences across a vast geography, spanning from China and India to various European nations like Sweden, Germany, and Austria. Born in Baku in 1936, she emerged as a multifaceted performer whose professional life integrated formal operatic training with an expansive repertoire of folk music and popular songs.
Early Training and Operatic Entry
Born on 28 December 1936, Khanlarova was the youngest of five siblings. Her formal education included graduation from the Baku Pedagogical School named after M. A. Sabir in 1956. Subsequently, she attended the Asaf Zeynally Music School, graduating from the class of Seyid Shushinski in 1961. This training facilitated her appointment as a soloist at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Her stage repertoire featured roles such as Leyli in the opera Leyli and Majnun and Asli in the opera Asli and Karam. She also performed the role of Arabzangi in the opera Shah Ismayil by Magomayev.
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Beyond her operatic work, Khanlarova established a career in mugham, contributing vocal performances to compositions including Shahnaz, Gatar, and Bayati Shiraz. Her pop repertoire featured compositions by Tofig Guliyev, Arif Malikov, Alekper Taghiyev, Emin Sabitoglu, Gara Garayev, and Fikret Amirov. Her linguistic versatility allowed her to sing in Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Georgian, Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Indian, and Turkish. These performances took her on extensive international tours through Russia, Latvia, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Armenia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
Political Engagement
Khanlarova transitioned into political life through service in legislative bodies. She served as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR during the XI and XII convocations. Later, she became a member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, serving through the first, second, and third convocations. During 2004, she entered public discourse regarding Ramil Safarov, expressing support for his actions.
State Recognition
Her contributions to music and public life resulted in numerous awards. She received the Order of the Badge of Honour in 1971 and was named People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1975. She held the title of People's Artist of the Armenian SSR as of 1978, followed by People's Artist of the USSR in 1980. Additional honors include the Order of Friendship of Peoples in 1986, the State Prize of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1988, the Shohrat Order in 1996, the Independence Order in 2006, and the Heydar Aliyev Order in 2016.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 December 1936, Baku
- Primary occupations: Opera singer, politician
- Education: Asaf Zeynally Music School
- People's Artist of the USSR: 1980
- Heydar Aliyev Order: 2016
- Languages performed: Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Georgian, Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Indian, Turkish
Questions readers ask
What operatic roles is Zeynab Khanlarova known for?
She performed the roles of Leyli in Leyli and Majnun, Asli in Asli and Karam, and Arabzangi in Shah Ismayil.
Which legislative bodies did she serve in?
She was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR and a member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.
Achievements
- Order of Friendship of Peoples — 1986
- Order of the Badge of Honour — 1971
- State Prize of the Azerbaijan SSR — 1988
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: classical music, folk music and opera
