In anticipation of one of the most beloved spring holidays, Nauryz, the concert Nauryz Duman will be held on March 19 at Astana Opera’s Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall,El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
The Astana Opera International Opera Academy attendees will perform Kazakh folk music works. And young academy attendees from Russia and Mongolia will sing in Kazakh.
According to the academy’s executive director, Aisulu Tani, Nauryz Duman is a special project, a kind of brand that unites the academy attendees. “With this musical evening, we emphasize that art knows no boundaries. The Kazakh language, its melodiousness and depth, will become a unifying principle for the performers, who, despite their different ancestries, will be able to convey to the audience the beauty and richness of our culture. Of course, according to tradition, the academy attendees will treat everyone to qymyz,” Aisulu Tani shared.
The concert program emphasizes the song heritage of the Kazakh people, which is incredibly diverse and rich. It harmoniously combines ancient nomadic strains, melodic modulations and poetic imagery. Folk songs reflect the history, traditions and worldview of the Kazakhs, passed down from generation to generation. They cover a wide range of topics, from love and nature, to heroic epics and philosophical reflections.
Thus, around 30 works will be presented to the audience, each conveying the spirit of the Kazakh people. The artists will perform Ukili Ybyrai’s “Gakku”, Saken Seifullin’s “Tau Ishinde”, Abai’s “Zhelsiz Tunde Zharyq Ai”, folk songs “Lyailim”, “Ainamkoz”, “Manmanger”, “Alqonyr”, “Ghashyghym”, “16 Qyz”, “Shapibai-au”, “Saulem-ai”, “Gulderaiym”, “Tileu Qabaq” (Sarysholaqtyn ani), Mairanyn ani “Maira”, and much more.
As a reminder, the Astana Opera International Opera Academy has been a platform for the development of young vocalists for 4 years now. Its attendees are talented performers who are trained by the best teachers. In this project, vocal coaches, Honoured Workers of Kazakhstan Zhupar Gabdullina and Azamat Zheltyrguzov, trained the academy attendees.
“Preparations for the concert Nauryz Duman are in full swing, and for those who came to Kazakhstan from other countries, this process began back in February. Our incredible coach Zhupar Gabdullina selected wonderful works, including the folk song “Saulem-ai” and Abai’s famous song “Zhelsiz Tunde Zharyq Ai”. The Kazakh language belongs to the Turkic language group, and it is certainly different from what I am used to singing. However, thanks to the support of Zhupar Gabdullina, accompanists and colleagues, work on the repertoire is going smoothly and confidently. This is not my first experience of performing in foreign languages – I have Georgian, Japanese, German, Italian, and French in my repertoire, but Kazakh has its own special characteristics. In particular, it requires a different articulation compared to the usual operatic delivery. In addition to solo numbers, we also participate in ensemble performances, including a female medley. This is a wonderful opportunity to touch the folk art of Kazakhstan, to feel its melody and rhythm. Such experience not only broadens your horizons, but also leaves a desire to keep these works in the repertoire in the future,” Vasilisa Savkina, an academy attendee from Russia, noted.
The concert will also feature Aigerim Temirbekova, Assylzat Nugymanova, Dilnaz Omarkhanova, Ruzilya Tyumentseva, Sara Sadygulova, Kuanysh Belal, Adil Sultan, Ablai Beken and Munkhtuvshin Khorolgarav.
“Performing works in the Kazakh language is a creative challenge, as well as an opportunity to delve deeper into the culture of Kazakhstan, understand its traditions and history through music. I think that for the audience this concert will be a good opportunity to enjoy beautiful music and feel part of a great celebration,” the academy attendee from Mongolia Munkhtuvshin Khorolgarav concluded.
As noted by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: “Nauryz symbolizes renewal and it should be celebrated in a new way: meaningfully, creatively, with the introduction of new distinctive elements.” In Kazakhstan, Nauryz is celebrated on a special scale: yurts are set up, festive dastarkhans are laid, where the central place is occupied by nauryz kozhe – a traditional dish of seven ingredients, symbolizing abundance and well-being. On this day, it is customary to forgive offenses, wish each other happiness and health, and also organize folk festivities with songs, dances, and games. Astana Opera has also prepared an extensive program for the celebration of Nauryz. Thus, it opens with a concert of the Astana Opera International Opera Academy, then Yevgeniy Brusilovsky’s opera Qyz Zhibek and the musical evening Nauryz-Koktem will be presented to the audience.