Fidan Hacıyeva

Fidan Hajiaga qizi Hajiyeva-Naylor (born September 7, 1976) is an Azerbaijani opera singer – mezzo-soprano. She was awarded People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She is soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

Life Fidan Haji Agha qizi Hajiyeva was born in Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union on September 7, 1976. In 1984 she entered the fortepiano class of the Bulbul Secondary Music School. She was a student of Professor Huseyn Aliyev. Since 1996, she has been a soloist in the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. In 2000, she performed in front of thousands of spectators on the stage of "Aspendos", an ancient theater in Turkey. In 2002, she won an international competition held at the Kidjiano Academy in Italy. In 2006, she was awarded the title of "Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan" and in 2006, 2007, and 2008 she was awarded the Honorary Award of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2010, she won the "Competition of Professional Vocalists" of the Rome Academy of Music in Italy. In 2012, at the "Gran Gala" concert organized at the Donisetti Theater in Bergamo, Italy, she was awarded the Ambassador of Peace diploma for her service in the promotion of classical Italian music. In 2015, she was awarded the title of "People's Artist" on the occasion of March 8 International Women's Day for her effective activities in the field of culture in the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2016, she founded a Music Center bearing her name. After Fatma Mukhtarova, the first "Carmen" performer who sang classical world operas on our national stage, Hajiyeva became known as the second Carmen of the Azerbaijani opera scene.

Fidan Hajiyeva married Philip Naylor from England in 2003; they have one daughter and two sons.

Her first appearance on the professional opera stage was in 1996, at the age of 19, with the role of "Singer Girl" in Koroglu. Since then, she has been a leading vocalist at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre. Opera singer performs national and classic leading opera performance parts.

In 2000, she participated in the opera days organized by "TURKSOY" in Turkey and represented the Republic of Azerbaijan. In the same year, the opera singer signed a contract with Mersin State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Turkey. She performed "Carmen" many times on the stages of Mersin, Istanbul, İzmir, and Ankara theaters. The most memorable performance took place on the stage of the ancient theater "Aspendos" in Turkey in front of 12,000 spectators.

October 2006, she gave a series of concerts at the Berlin Philharmonic, Stuttgart, and Mainz theaters. She was accompanied by the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra conducted by Teymur Goychayev in the art days of Azerbaijan in Germany.

April 19, 2015, she performed her second solo concert called "One spring evening" in the Heydar Aliyev Palace.

July 14, 2017, on the occasion of the National Day of the French Republic, the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan (ADA) in Paris organized a classical music night at the Azerbaijan Culture Center in Paris for Fidan Hajiyeva, Azerbaijanis living in Paris and the people of France, which included selected examples of classical music by famous Azerbaijani and European composers.

May 6, 2018, People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva performed at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after Muslim Magomayev. She presented a concert program titled "Feelings" featuring romances composed by Honored Art Worker Adila Huseynzade. During the concert, Fidan Hajiyeva sang various romances composed by Adila Huseynzade over the years. This concert marked her first performance under the title "Azerbaijan People's Republic-100."

May 11, 2018, Fidan Hajiyeva performed a concert program dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev at the Shota Rustaveli State Drama Theater in Tbilisi. In this concert, the People's Artist performed the works of our outstanding composers - Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Adila Huseynzada, Muslim Magomayev, Gara Garayev, Tofig Guliyev and world composers.

May 16, 2018, Fidan Hajiyeva performed a concert program in London on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan People's Republic. At the concert, she sang the romances of Adila Huseynzada.

May 23, 2018, Fidan Hajiyeva performed another concert program on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic at the Bellevue Palace in Bern, Switzerland.

She was awarded the Presidential Award on May 9, 2018, May 10, 2019, May 7, 2020 and May 7, 2021.

On October 26, 2018, People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva participated in a grand event organized in Istanbul to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Sharing her thoughts about the event, People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva expressed her happiness in being part of a night dedicated to the brotherhood of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Fidan Hajiyeva was honored with a diploma at this event and expressed her gratitude to the organizers.

June 4, 2019, People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva became the first Azerbaijani woman to graduate in composition from the Conservatory, with the support of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, and Paris' "House of Azerbaijan". She presented a grand concert program featuring works by Khadimi Adila Huseynzada in Paris, marking the centenary of granting voting rights to women in Azerbaijan.

November 4, 2019, an event and concert program took place in Bern, Switzerland, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijan's diplomatic service. People's Artist Fidan presented a solo concert featuring timeless works by foreign and Azerbaijani composers, including a segment from Uzeyir Hajibeyli's operetta "Arshin Mal Alan," the novel "Sevgili Janan," compositions by Gara Garayev, and Muslim Magomayev's song "Azerbaijan," among others.

November 23-25, 2019, the "XIV Delphi Games" brought together youth from CIS member states in the Moscow region of the Russian Federation. People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva, representing the Republic of Azerbaijan, served as a member of the international jury in the "academic vocal" category.

May 21, 2020, Fidan Hajiyeva was appointed as the deputy head of the Exemplary Military Band of the Internal Troops and as the head of the song ensemble.

November 5, 2021, she performed at the "Voices of Peace" gala concert held in London to mark the first anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War.

November 21, 2021, she established a unique Chamber Orchestra composed entirely of women for the first time in Azerbaijan. Fidan Hajiyeva participated in a concert program on May 24, 2022, in Paris, France, marking the 104th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR). The program included "My Shusha," composed by Konul Huseynova with lyrics by Vahid Aziz, Uzeyir Hajibayli's "Arshin Mal Alan," "Sevgili Janan," and "Azerbaijan" by Muslim Magomayev, among other songs.

Since 2022, she has been working as a "vocal teacher" at the Azerbaijan National Conservatory. October 24, 2023, she took the role of "Countess" in the opera "Queen of Spades" by Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky. November 8, 2023, she had a solo concert in Barcelona, Spain. On April 27-May 3, 2024, the International Opera Festival was held in Azerbaijan for the first time with the support of the Vocal Music School of People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva. Thanks to the hard work of People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva, the festival lasted 7 days. During the festival days, various concerts were organized in the famous concert halls of our country. The festival has become a music holiday in our country. Young vocalists of our stage were given a place at these concerts, opera stars of our country performed. Also, opera singers from Turkey, Italy, Georgia, Germany and Russia gave the audience a special musical evening. The famous opera "Carmen" was presented in a new style within the framework of the festival. This was met with special applause by the audience. https://www.azernews.az/culture/225604.html

May 9, 2025, People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva was awarded the 1st degree medal "For Impeccable Service" on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of her service in the Internal Troops. Since May 21, 2020, Fidan Hajiyeva has been the deputy chief of the Exemplary Demonstration Military Orchestra of the Internal Troops - the head of the song ensemble.

April 23-29, 2025, the II International Opera Festival of Fidan Hajiyeva was held in Baku. The seven-day festival organized concerts in various venues of the city with the participation of both well-known performers and young opera singers, as well as young talents aged 6-16. At the opening of the festival, the legendary operetta "Arshin mal alan" by the genius Uzeyir Hajibeyli was presented to the audience. The famous German conductor Boian Wiedenoff also participated in the closing concert of my festival. At that concert, the performance of the symphony orchestra of the Opera and Ballet Theater and famous soloists added a special color to the closing concert

Carmen

Fidan Hajiyeva's association with the 4-act tragedy opera "Carmen," composed by the renowned French composer Georges Bizet with a libretto by Ludovik Halevi and Henri Meliak, holds a special place in her career. Her journey with "Carmen" began with her rendition of the aria of "Carmen's" friend "Mercedes" at the age of 19. Two years later, she undertook the challenging role of "Carmen."

According to Fidan, performing in "Carmen" required extensive effort, including learning flamenco dance and continuous practice. She even travelled to Andalusia, the birthplace of "Carmen," saying that "the main thing is to completely adapt to the character of one's hero".

Fidan attributes much of her success to her performances in "Carmen." She mentioned that the aria "Habanera" from "Carmen" is always close to her heart and that this opera is a family tradition. Even in her introduction to her husband, "Carmen" played a significant role. Renowned "Carmen" performer Tamara Sinyavskaya wished Fidan Hajiyeva success in her portrayal of "Carmen."

Performed operas Singer girl, Koroghlu (Uzeyir Hajibeyov) Smile, Sevil (Fikrat Amirov) Asya, Arshin Mal Alan (Uzeyir Hajibeyov) Gulchohra, Arshin Mal Alan (Uzeyir Hajibeyov) Karmen, Carmen (Georges Bizet) Rozina, The Barber of Seville (Gioachino Rossini) Amneris, Aida (Giuseppe Verdi) Azuchena, Il trovatore (Giuseppe Verdi) Maddalena, Rigoletto (Giuseppe Verdi) La Princhipessa, Suor Angelica (Giacomo Puccini) Santuzza, Cavalleria rusticana (Pietro Mascagni) The Old Countess, The Queen of Spades (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)

Albums “Jealousy and Love” (2003) “Beloved” (2014)

Concerts and Solo concerts

Performed concerts and events

Vocal Music School named after Fidan Hajiyeva In 2016, Fidan Hajiyeva established a Music Center that proudly bears her name, a dream she had cherished for years. The primary objective of this venture was to create a place for teaching her students, but it quickly garnered substantial interest from aspiring musicians. Fidan Hajiyeva's center primarily focuses on imparting the art of vocal performance and classical music. Moreover, it offers instruction in jazz, classical pop, piano, saxophone, violin, and guitar. The center was initially known as "Fidan Hajiyeva's Music Center" since August 9, 2017.

February 25, 2017, the students of Fidan Hajiyeva held their inaugural concert in the Music Center's study hall, dedicated to the Khojaly genocide. Despite the limited audience, Carol Mary Crofts, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Azerbaijan, graced the occasion with her presence.

May 28, 2017, Fidan Hajiyeva's students presented their first concert in front of a larger audience at the Zira Culture Center, commemorating the 99th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. An engaging aspect of these concerts is Fidan Hajiyeva performing alongside her students, singing duets and songs in various languages. Her involvement in their early careers provides invaluable support.

To showcase her students' operatic abilities, Fidan Hajiyeva, along with one of her students, delivered an exceptional performance of the "Askar and Gulchohra's aria" from Uzeyir Hajibayov's opera "Arshin Mal Alan,". June 11, 2017, marking the Music Center's one-year anniversary, a concert program titled "New Voices" was presented at the Azerbaijan State Song Theater, named after Rashid Behbudov. This program was distinct in terms of the audience size, performances, and genres. Notable performances included Elchin Aliyev's rendition of "Nessun Dorma" from Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot" and Nazrin Hasanzada's performance of the aria "Habanera" from George Bizet's "Carmen."

Fidan Hajiyeva's student Elchin Aliyev, who became the director of the center on August 9, 2017, officially renamed the center to "Vocal Music Center named after Fidan Hajiyeva." On October 3, 2017, Elchin Aliyev played a pivotal role in elevating the center's status to a "school" and was appointed as the school's first director.

October 20, 2018, at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after Muslim Magomayev, People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva, alongside students of the Vocal Music School, presented a concert program titled "Duet." This event was a testament to the hard work and preparation that the students had undertaken during the summer. The concert featured works by Azerbaijani and world composers and included participants spanning from 5 years old to various age groups, even one student at 67. It was a significant occasion for Fidan Hajiyeva, who sought to support her students in their early artistic journeys.

November 7, 2022, a concert celebrating the 5th anniversary of Fidan Hajiyeva Vocal Music School and the first anniversary of the "Mezzo" women's orchestra took place at the International Mugham Center (IMC). Fidan Hajiyeva, a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, commenced the concert with a rendition of the romance "Sevgili Janan" by the legendary Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The event served as an opportunity to acknowledge November 8 - Victory Day, a significant milestone in Azerbaijani history, celebrated in honor of the historic Victory achieved by the brave Army under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The evening featured outstanding performances by students from Fidan Hajiyeva's Vocal Music School and the debut of the "Mezzo" women's orchestra. Inspired by Fidan Hajiyeva's opening words, the students displayed their exceptional talents one after the other, ensuring the audience left with a true sense of Victory.