Is it easy to be a “king”? PHOTO

Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. The great Elvis! One of the most commercially successful performers of popular music in the 20th century. By blending country and blues, he gave birth to a new style of music — rockabilly — which he explored starting with his first recordings at Sun Records in the mid-1950s, delivering his own unique renditions of songs like “That’s All Right,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Tutti Frutti,” and “Hound Dog.” In fact, it all began at Sun Records, when the then-unknown Elvis recorded his first record for just $8. That was in 1953…

Fame came to Elvis very quickly. Soon, he was dubbed the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll.” His record sales exceeded one billion (!) copies. More than 150 of his albums achieved gold, platinum, or multi-platinum status. Dozens of them topped the charts. Presley recorded 786 songs, six of which made it onto the list of “Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll.” The American magazine Rolling Stone ranked Presley 3rd on its list of the greatest singers of all time. He appeared in 31 feature films and holds 3rd place in the list Immortals: The 50 Greatest Artists of All Time!

That said… the short life of Elvis Presley (he lived only 42 years) was full of tragedies and disappointments. Some people levelled baseless accusations against him, criticising his sexuality and alleging indecent behaviour. Commercial companies, which made millions from his talent, demanded compliance with extraordinary conditions. His producer, “Colonel” Tom Parker, signed contracts without consulting the “King.”

Endless concerts and tours across the United States strained Presley’s already difficult relationships, first with Priscilla — his first wife — and later with other women. Stress, and consequently the use of various substances, probably contributed to the premature death of the great artist… it’s hard to say for certain. Perhaps this is why global cinema so often explores the complex, tragic, yet sometimes comic biography of Elvis Presley and his legacy. Dozens of films and TV series have been made about him, and songs from his repertoire have been used as soundtracks in hundreds of movies.

The creators of the new musical “You Are the King!” have also turned to the work of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. Eighteen songs from Presley’s repertoire are used as the musical foundation of the show — the most famous and beloved. Lyrical at times, and incredibly energetic at others, the compositions fit seamlessly into the overall dramaturgy of the story, brought to life by talented actors in a production directed by Alakbar Taghiyev, based on his own play. Special orchestral arrangements were created for all the hits. The project’s musical director and conductor, Javad Taghiyev, achieved something remarkable: true rock ’n’ roll performed by a classical symphony orchestra!

The complex relationships of the characters, intrigues, and revelations are further expressed through vocal performances and dazzling dance numbers. Incredible voices and stunning choreography (by ballet master Kamilla Aliyeva) create an atmosphere of an unforgettable celebration. Indeed, this is a true Musical with a capital “M,” rivalling the best Broadway productions. The actors, musicians, ballet, and choir (choirmaster Vagif Mastanov) do more than perform — they live the show. They fully experience everything that happens on stage and strive to share these emotions with the audience. All of them, as one.

Congratulations to the team of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre on the outstanding result of this bold experiment. They have become the “kings” of the musical — at least according to audiences during the three premiere days. How easy it is to remain “kings” — only time will tell!

P.S. The next performance will take place very soon, on December 6. Tickets are available via the link.