Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly will be performed on March 12 at Astana Opera’s Grand Hall, El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
The music director of the production, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan Alan Buribayev will conduct the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra. Guest singer from Almaty Baluan Berkenov, who is preparing to present Pinkerton, will take the stage together with Astana Opera’s soloists.
“Pinkerton is a complex and contradictory character. In his personality, youthful carelessness and selfishness are combined with outbursts of true feelings. His sincerity in the moments when he is truly taken with Cio-Cio-san is close to me. However, it is also important to convey his inner unpreparedness for serious commitment. The greatest difficulty is not to turn Pinkerton into a caricature antagonist. He is not a villain, but a man of his time and culture, for whom this marriage is just a game. Nevertheless, it is his frivolity that leads to tragedy. Finding a balance between the hero’s charm and his irresponsibility is one of the main tasks for the performer,” Baluan Berkenov shares.
The soloist also noted that this performance will be the twentieth in his career, and expressed joy that it will take place at Astana Opera. “This is my first time working with the company of this opera house and it is a great honour for me to perform on this stage. I have not yet had the opportunity to collaborate with Astana Opera’s principal conductor Alan Buribayev in opera performances, but I have great respect for the maestro’s creative style and I am confident in productive teamwork,” the singer added.
Madama Butterfly, completely imbued with Verismo spirit of everyday naturalism, was Puccini’s favourite creation. He could listen to it again and again without getting tired of it. We know the story of Cio-Cio-san, nicknamed Madama Butterfly, very well: a fifteen-year-old Japanese geisha who fell in love with the U.S. Navy Lieutenant and gave birth to his son after a long wait, committed suicide after learning of her lover’s betrayal. Critics call her a rebel because she renounced her traditions, and, as a result, she was rejected by both her family and the people.
“Last year, the entire world celebrated 100th anniversary of the death of Giacomo Puccini, a composer, whose music changed opera art forever. I love performing his works: they are filled with depth, drama and genuine human emotions. Madama Butterfly remains in the hearts of viewers thanks to its incredible music, powerful drama and universal themes of love, hope and betrayal. This opera makes you feel, and that is what makes it unforgettable,” Baluan Berkenov concluded.
Thus, on March 12, Ulpan Aubakirova will perform the title role of Madama Butterfly, Suzuki – Tatyana Vitsinskaya, Sharpless – Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Talgat Mussabayev. Beimbet Tanarykov debuts as Goro, Yamadori – Azat Malik (debut), the Bonze – Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Zhanat Shybykbayev, Kate Pinkerton – Yelena Ganzha. Aigerim Amanzholova will debut as the Aunt, Mother – Nazym Sagintai, and the role of the Cousin will be the debut for Leila Alamanova. Alikhan Zeinolla will present Yakusidé for the first time, the Imperial Commissioner – Nurlybek Kosparmakov, the Official Registrar is Talgat Allabirinov.
As a reminder, the stage director of this production is Lorenzo Amato, outstanding contemporary set designer Ezio Frigerio created the sets, costume designer is the Academy Award winner Franca Squarciapino, the principal choirmaster is Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Dautov.