Behrouz Gharibpour’s Next Puppet Show Based on Omar Khayyam

“I was waiting for a good opportunity to invite (vocalist) Homayun Shajarian to cooperate. I told Homayun that when I was writing the role of Khayyam, I was thinking of his voice and the power of his singing,” Gharibpour told MNA on Sunday May 29.

“Homayun had previously collaborated with the troupe in the Rumi opera, playing the role of Shams. However, he did not want to do a repeat of this in the next project, and now he knows that the role of Khayyam will be a new challenge.”

“Now that Homayun has accepted the role of Khayyam, all the members of the troupe are happy, and consider it a great honour.”

Gharibpour also praised Homayun for his integrity and said, “Homayun considers the performance as a cultural project to help pay respect to artistic and cultural luminaries of the country, and he does not pay much attention to its financial incentive.”

“I must do my best to compensate him for his high level of integrity. He can be a good role model as an artist for the youth,” he added.

Musician Amir Behzad is collaborating in the Khayyam project, while a combination of old members from Aran and several new members will help stage the opera, Gharibpour said, adding, “The puppets are also in the production stage.”

Gharibpour has previously staged puppet shows Hafez, Rumi and Macbeth, all of which were warmly received in Iran and at international events.