Arshin Mal Alan (operetta)

Arshin Mal Alan (Azerbaijani: Arşın mal alan) is a 1913 comic and romantic operetta by Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov about the cloth peddler in the 1900s Shusha, who is looking for a wife. Hajibeyov composed the operetta in Saint Petersburg and it was staged on October 25, 1913. The operetta is rich in national characteristics and realism. Following the staging on Azerbaijan scene, Arshin Mal Alan ventured across the theatres of Tbilisi, Yerevan and Ashgabat, as well as of Iran and Turkey.

The plot is centered on a bachelor man called Asker, who wants to see and choose his bride before marriage. His wife quest, however, is difficult because in that time (in the 19th century) based on traditions women were kept at home and when allowed out they were heavily covered in hijab and because actually you were not allowed to know who you were going to get married with in the 19th century. Asker's friend Suleyman suggests him disguising as a fabric peddler, a sure way to meet women. Asker agrees and starts to go round the houses selling fabrics.

Asker finally meets a woman called Gulchohra and both fall in love with each other, even though Asker's actual identity remains unknown to Gulchohra. Asker ultimately asks Gulchohra's father, the wealthy Sultan bey, for marriage permission, revealing his real activities. Sultan bey agrees, but Gulchohra objects as she can only love the peddler. She eventually learns that the rich businessman is really her beloved peddler.

The story ends with four couples getting married at the same time.

Arshin Mal Alan has been staged in various languages and theaters in over 60 countries, including Vienna, Austria (2006),Beijing, China (2010), and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles Music Center, USA (2013).

Asker, a young and wealthy merchant, is upset. His aunt, Jahan, believes him to be ill, while his malevolent servant, Veli, conceals the reason for his master's “illness”; Suleyman, one of Asker's friends, reveals that it is time for Asker to get married.

...
Wikipedia