Astana Opera opened its 12th theatrical season with the concert Kazakh Opera Gala with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
The atmosphere in the hall was filled with anticipation. The viewers literally held their breath, waiting for the evening to start. Among them one could notice famous Kazakh composers, opera luminaries, celebrated art figures, as well as those who are just discovering the world of classics. And so, when the symphony orchestra played the first chords from Qurmanghazy by Akhmet and Gaziza Zhubanovs, the audience was transported into the depth of the Kazakh steppe, to its traditions and origins.
Each number of the Kazakh Opera Gala was painstakingly selected by the author of the program, the opera house’s principal conductor, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan Alan Buribayev. The Maestro managed to reflect all facets of the Kazakh opera – from heroic epics to lyrical numbers.
Thus, the Astana Opera stage became the focal point of national operas that evening. Their characters were brought to life by talented artists. Among them was Ulpan Aubakirova, who came out to the audience with Aqtoty’s aria from Sydyq Mukhamedzhanov’s opera Aqan Seri – Aqtoty. Her performance was truly heartfelt. Talgat Galeyev presented Alpamys’ aria “Kegim Bar, Keudem Toly-ai Ala Almaghan” from Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev’s eponymous opera. In his interpretation, Alpamys personified courage and determination. The powerful music and the symphony orchestra’s nuanced performance made the viewers immerse themselves in the thick of events, recalling the glorious victories of our ancestors. Aigerim Amanzholova beautifully performed Aq-Zhunis’ song from Yevgeniy Brussilovsky’s opera Yer-Targhyn. Let us recall that Aq-Zhunis is a completely new female character in Kazakh opera, the complete opposite to the traditional soft and gentle heroines.
The program continued with a series of arias, duets, symphonic works, overtures, which encapsulated all the richness of the Kazakh opera tradition. Of particular significance were the artistry and vocal mastery in the performances of Zylikha’s art song from Bazarbai Dzhumaniyazov’s opera Makhambet by the opera house’s prima Zhupar Gabdullina and Aitys scene from Muqan Tolebayev’s opera Birzhan – Sara by Meir Bainesh and Bibigul Zhanuzak. These numbers reminded all of bright love that can overcome any obstacles.
The evening’s finale was as powerful and majestic as its beginning. Betashar from the opera Abai by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi performed by Altynbek Abilda, Saltanat Muratbekova and the choir reflected the spiritual heritage and cultural values of the Kazakh people. The evening ended with the overture from Muqan Tolebayev’s Birzhan – Sara. Here the orchestra and choir demonstrated all the power and beauty of Kazakh symphonic music. The audience gave a standing ovation, and the excited shouts of “Bravo!” became louder and louder. This prompted Maestro Alan Buribayev to go back onstage and perform Yeskendir Khassangaliyev’s Atameken as an encore.
“This evening was a revelation for me. The orchestra, choir, soloists – Aizada Kaponova, Madina Islamova, Nazym Sagintai, Zhanat Shybykbayev, Beimbet Tanarykov, Rassul Zharmagambetov, Sultan Bakytzhan, Valeriy Selivanov and many others sounded wonderful today,” shared her emotions Astana Opera’s regular viewer Gulbanu Akhmetova when leaving the hall. “I have never heard such a touching and profound performance of the national repertoire. Such a wonderful start to the season, and it is so good that there are still many new discoveries and musical surprises ahead of us that will undoubtedly continue to delight and inspire us, the viewers.”
“Such concerts, performed with high quality, are a real rarity, and a tribute to the great composers school of Kazakhstan. One can often attend gala programs of Western European composers, but to bring together such a wealth of works by Kazakh classics, I have never seen this before. Therefore, today we have witnessed not just a performance, but an important cultural event that reminds us of the rich musical heritage of our country and emphasizes its importance in the modern world. I hope that performing such concerts will become a tradition. I think that this evening has also inspired young composers to continue the great tradition of Kazakh opera and symphonic music,” listener Omar Kekilbayev concluded.