Astana Opera’s opera soloists, orchestra and choir are about to go on tour. On September 28, the celebrated collective will present an eventful Gala Concert consisting of Kazakh songs, popular arias and instrumental works at the Shymkent City Opera and Ballet Theatre. Children’s audience was not left without attention either: an engrossing concert In the World of Music was prepared for young theatregoers, El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
It is worth noting that the Shymkent City Opera and Ballet Theatre dedicated September to International Music Day, continuing to form cultural and aesthetic values among residents. In this regard, Astana Opera was specially invited to perform on its stage with a tour program.
“Astana Opera and the Shymkent City Opera and Ballet Theatre have a very close creative relationship. We have our fans in this picturesque city, and the Shymkent audience always warmly welcomes our performances. Our ballet company has already presented Michel Fokine’s romantic ballet Chopiniana in Shymkent before. In addition, our opera soloists, orchestra musicians and conductors perform here as part of gala programs and productions. The upcoming Gala Opera will be another excellent manifestation of the fruitful cultural collaboration between our collectives. We also look forward to the performance of Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan Maira Mukhamedkyzy on our stage in October,” Galym Akhmedyarov, Astana Opera’s general director, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, said. He also emphasized that today both opera houses support national opera traditions and contribute to the development of arts in our country.
Astana Opera’s brilliant soloists, headed by the opera company director, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Meir Bainesh, will appear before the audience. The performers include Honoured Workers of Kazakhstan Zhupar Gabdullina, Bibigul Zhanuzak, Zhanat Shybykbayev, as well as Guldana Aldadossova, Talgat Galeyev, Bolat Yessimkhanov and Talgat Allabirinov.
The artists will present Shege’s terme from Yevgeniy Brussilovsky’s opera Qyz Zhibek, the Aitys scene and Sara’s aria from Muqan Tolebayev’s opera Birzhan – Sara, Abai’s aria from Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi’s opera Abai, Serke’s cavatina from Sydyq Mukhamedzhanov’s opera Aisulu, as well as Figaro’s cavatina from Rossini’s opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia. The program of this evening will also feature famous arias from the Puccini repertoire, such as Cio-Cio-san’s aria from Madama Butterfly, Cavaradossi’s and Tosca’s arias from Tosca, Colline’s aria from La Bohème. In addition, Liza’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, Rusalka’s aria from Dvořák’s Rusalka, Hoffman’s and Olympia’s arias from Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffman, as well as Brindisi from Verdi’s La Traviata. The extensive program also includes Abai Qunanbaiuly’s song Kozimnin Qarasy, Manarbek Yerzhanov’s Quanamyn, Méditation from Massenet’s opera Thaïs performed by the principal first violin of the opera house’s symphony orchestra, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Bagdat Abilkhanov, and the Astana Opera Choir. The audience will not remain indifferent to Minuet and Badinerie from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2, interpreted by the principal flute Alexey Kossyrev. Yeskendir Khassangaliyev’s beloved song Atameken will be performed at the end of the program. Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Abzal Mukhitdin will be conducting the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra.
Traditionally, Astana Opera did not leave the youth audience without attention. An enlightening concert In the World of Music, introducing schoolchildren to types of operatic voices and musical instruments, was prepared for them.
Indeed, Astana Opera’s artists are looking forward to this tour, as this is an excellent opportunity to convey greetings from the capital to the sunny city and meet again with their beloved audience.