Dagestan lost a revered voice with the passing of Magomedrasul Zavaev, a renowned People’s Artist who died at 77. The news outlet TASS confirmed the veteran artist’s death, though the official cause remains undisclosed. The head of Dagestan’s Ministry of Culture, Zarema Butaeva, extended heartfelt condolences to Zavaev’s family and friends, underscoring the cultural community’s sense of loss.
The Ministry of Culture’s press service highlighted Zavaev as a prominent figure within Dagestan’s musical landscape, noting his long association with the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Dagestan and his status as a celebrated artist within the republic. He was recognized for his contributions to the region’s performing arts, where his performances bridged traditional Dagestani music with broader audiences.
Magomedrasul Zavaev was born in 1945 in the village of Khadzhalmakhi. After completing his schooling, he pursued music education at the Makhachkala Music School. His professional journey began in 1978 when he joined the Dagestan State Philharmonic Orchestra, where he performed under the baton of T. Muradov. In his later years, he continued to enchant audiences as a soloist with the opera troupe at the Dagestan State Opera and Ballet Theatre, contributing to the region’s rich operatic tradition.
In related news, Alexander Sklyarov, honored as People’s Artist of Russia, has also passed away. Sklyarov had a storied tenure as a soloist with the Voronezh Philharmonic Orchestra for more than three decades. In 1971 he earned a notable title at the Women’s World Cup held in Bruges, an achievement that accompanied a career marked by international tours and collaborations spanning classical and folk repertoires arranged for his performances.