In anticipation of Muqan Tolebayev’s 112th anniversary, Astana Opera will present the outstanding composer’s opera Birzhan – Sara to Qazhym Jumaliyev’s libretto. The national art gem will be held at the opera house’s Grand Hall on February 16, El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
The opera house’s brilliant soloists are preparing to portray the heroes of the opera on this day. Thus, Beimbet Tanarykov and Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Bibigul Zhanuzak will perform the title roles of the beloved aqyns Birzhan and Sara. Talgat Galeyev will take the stage as the volost ruler Zhanbota, and Gulzhanat Sapakova – as Analyq. Assem Sembina will perform the part of Altynai. Altynbek Abilda will give his interpretation of insidious Zhiyenqul, Qozhaghul – Valeriy Selivanov, Serik – Artur Gabdiyev, Yestai – Talgat Allabirinov.
The production will also feature the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra, Choir, Ballet and supernumeraries under the baton of People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Abzal Mukhitdin. Principal choirmaster is Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Dautov, the choreographer is Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Mukaram Avakhri, the assistant stage director is Yerenbak Toikenov, and the opera company director is Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Talgat Mussabayev.
The performance will be the collective’s tribute to the creative genius of the outstanding composer Muqan Tolebayev, who would have turned 112 in March. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Muqan Tolebayev’s merits: the composer developed the foundations of professional musical art of Kazakhstan, enriching it with new themes and artistic imagery, expanding the range of genres and expressive means. He raised the national opera art to a new level, synthesizing national Kazakh melodies with the achievements of world musical culture. His melodies touch the deepest layers of human perception, and the legendary lyric-dramatic opera Birzhan – Sara about the power of true love, fight for the artistic freedom and for the human right to happiness, from its premiere day on October 7, 1946, won the audience’s love and became a true cultural asset of our country’s classical art.
At Astana Opera, the large-scale production, interpreted by conductor Abzal Mukhitdin, stage director Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Askhat Mayemirov and consultant director Mikhail Pandzhavidze, acquired bright fresh colours. Set and costume designers Honoured Workers of Kazakhstan Sofya Tasmagambetova and Pavel Dragunov, projections designer Sergio Metalli and lighting designer Jacopo Pantani authentically conveyed the culture, traditions and way of life of the Kazakh people.
As a reminder, it was with this opera that the capital’s opera house was opened in 2013. The production staged by People’s Artist of Russia, laureate of the State Prise of Kazakhstan Yuri Alexandrov was running for many seasons. The premiere of the current musical and stage version in April 2018 became a real sensation both among the audience and according to experts.
In a critical review, Doctor of Art History, Professor of the Kazakh National University of Arts Umitzhan Dzhumakova notes that “Astana Opera has revitalised Muqan Tolebayev’s brilliant creation. According to the musicologist’s authoritative opinion, “a truly convincing modern musical and staging solution is presented, which is clearly discerned in the context of general unity of the culture of Kazakhstan under the influence of spiritual revival.”
“In Astana Opera’s staging, dynamism of plot development distinguishes the production. All the best traditions, presented in the introductory folk fair, then in the aitys, the wedding ceremony, the court scene and the final crying-zhoqtau, are combined into an uninterrupted line of narrative, without any deviations, repetitions, stops, expansions. It is this modern tempo-rhythm of the production, originally constructed as an ethnographic canvas, that leads and captivates listeners and viewers,” the article states.
The performance begins at 5 PM.