Qorbani joins 'Hafez' puppet opera
A scene from Gharibpour's 'Rostam and Sohrab' puppet opera
Iranian vocalist Ali-Reza Qorbani has joined a puppet opera by veteran stage director Behrouz Gharibpour about the world-renowned Persian poet, Hafez.
“Qorbani has been practicing with the group since last week and part of the composition has been test recorded,” Gharibpour told ISNA, adding that Hafez will be different from his previous puppet operas.
“I insisted on working with new composers and vocalists because I wanted to present a completely different work,” he said, adding that Qorbani will have the role of the poet Hafez in the new puppet opera.
Known for his extensive research on Qajar puppetry, Gharibpour has staged many award-winning puppet shows in Iran and other countries includingMacbeth, Ashura, Mowlavi and Rostam and Sohrab.
Renowned Iranian vocalist Homayoun Shajarian joined his group for the Mowlavi puppet opera.
Gharibpour hopes to stage Hafez during October 2011 and as part of the ceremonies organized for the Hafez National Day (October 12) in the historical city of Shiraz where the 14th-century poet has been laid to rest.
The 61-year-old director's puppet plays have been staged in numerous domestic and foreign festivals, including the 11th World Festival of Puppet Art in Prague and the 2008 International Incanti Figure Theatre Festival in Italy.
He received the Sirene d'Oro Prize of Italy's 2009 Arrivano dal Mare Puppet Festival for his contribution to the art of puppetry.
TE/HGH
