Azerbaijan opera culture was founded in 1908 and marked by the premiere of the first opera in the East and in the whole muslim world– “Leyli and Madjnun” that was written great Azerbaijan composer Uzeyir Hadjibeyli. First performance of the opera took place at the H.Z.Taghiyev Theatre in January, 1908. The State Opera Theatre was built by the famous Russian architect and civil engineer N.Bayev. On 18th of October in 1918, Azerbaijan Democratic Republic gave the official status and it became known as the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1959 it received the status of an academic theatre. Now days Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre is the one of the leading cultural institutions. It’s wide range repertoire consists of the national and classical opera and ballet productions. There are four sections in the theatre – opera team, symphony orchestra, ballet company and choir. Since it’s opening the State Opera Theatre had played leading role in the cultural life of the country. As the only opera and ballet company in Azerbaijan it has formed and set up all the best traditions in this genre. During the different years and periods great artists such as Fyodor Shalyapin, Leonid Sobinov, Valeriya Barsova, Irina Arkhipova, Elena Obraztsova, Mara Bieshu, Maya Plisestkaya, Montserrat Caballe, Jose Carreras, Zurab Sotkilava, Vyatcheslav Gordeev, Vladislav Piavko, Svetlana Zakharova, Anastasia Volotckova took part in the opera and ballet productions on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Opera Theatre.