In October, world ballet masterpieces await residents and guests of the capital at Astana Opera. Asafiev’s The Fountain of Bakhchisarai will be presented at the opera house’s Grand Hall on October 2 and 3, and Løvenskiold’s La Sylphide on October 8 and 9, El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
The Astana Opera Ballet soloist Serik Nakyspekov explained in more detail why viewers should not miss Asafiev’s The Fountain of Bakhchisarai.
“The Fountain of Bakhchisarai is a ballet that not only demonstrates tenderness and grace of female dancers on pointe, but also courage and bravery of men. I believe that every viewer should see it, because it is one of the strongest ballets in terms of plot and dramaturgy. It also combines Eastern and Polish choreographic styles, and both acts of the ballet are completely different. The first act begins with Polish dances and ends with Tatar attack, whereas the second act is drastically different. This is also noticeable in the sets and costumes. We use real metal swords in the production, and sparks fly from the swords during the battle, which creates an incredible spectacle. I have been performing Nurali since the premiere in 2015, and this season will mark ten years since I have been portraying this character. I think that Nurali is one of the audience’s favourite characters, which is evident from the applause and approving shouts of “Bravo!” The viewers particularly like the Tatar dance in the second act. The music and energy of this segment are magnificent, and it perfectly showcases male strength and power,” Serik Nakyspekov noted.
“Ballet companies in the world that have The Fountain of Bakhchisarai in their repertoire can be counted on fingers. Despite the fact that I have seen many productions of this ballet in different countries, I have not yet seen such a magnificent production as at Astana Opera. Therefore, we look forward to seeing the audience at this incredible performance,” the soloist concluded.
Let us note that Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Aigerim Beketayeva and Anastasia Zaklinskaya will present the main part of Zarema on performance days. Sunggat Kydyrbai and Aidan Kalzhan are preparing Ghirei, Maria – Shugyla Adepkhan and Adelina Tulepova, Vaslav – Rustam Chakhalov and Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerkin Rakhmatullayev, Nurali – Serik Nakyspekov and Islam Kaipbai (debut).
Løvenskiold’s La Sylphide will also grace Astana Opera’s playbill this October. As a reminder, the production, which entered the opera house’s repertoire last season, was staged by People’s Artist of Russia, artistic director of the Astana Opera Ballet Altynai Asylmuratova. Music director and conductor of the production – Arman Urazgaliyev, set and costume designer – People’s Artist of Russia, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan Vyacheslav Okunev, lighting designer – Sergei Shevchenko.
Speaking of La Sylphide, it is worth noting that French choreographer Filippo Taglioni staged this ballet in 1832 for Marie Taglioni. She was the first dancer to stand on pointe shoes, marking the beginning of a new era in the art of ballet. This ballet survived to this day thanks to a unique personality – the Danish choreographer August Bournonville, who commissioned music for his production from the young composer Herman Severin Løvenskiold.
The story of an air spirit – a sylph will be presented to the viewers on different days by the opera house’s soloists. Shugyla Adepkhan and Sofiya Adilkhanova will take the stage as the light and tender Sylphide, and Serik Nakyspekov and Dias Kurmangazy will perform James, who is madly in love with her. Kuat Karibayev and Sultanbek Gumar are preparing to portray the sorceress Madge. Moldir Shakimova and Adelina Tulepova will perform James’ bride, Effie, and Inessa Kotlobayeva and Alina Khalimolla will portray Anna. On the performance days, the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra will perform under the baton of conductors Arman Urazgaliyev and Elmar Buribayev.
Autumn is a time of abundance, so Astana Opera offers its audience magnificent ballets from the opera house’s repertoire.