Maira Mukhamedkyzy, one of the most striking and significant opera singers of Kazakhstan, celebrated the 30th anniversary of her creative work at Astana Opera with a grand sold-out concert, held with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Among the many honorary guests in attendance was the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva, El.kz cites astanaopera.kz.
Maira Mukhamedkyzy presented to the audience a unique program featuring works from the world and national repertoire. The opera diva performed arias from operas by outstanding composers such as Richard Strauss, Franz Liszt, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, as well as works by Kazakh authors, which gave a concert a special national zest. Accompanied by the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra and Choir under the baton of the conductors Abzal Mukhitdin and Madi Omirzak, the concert became a living embodiment of her many years of creative work.
The number “O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst”, which the famous singer presented together with her longtime friend, pianist Temirzhan Yerzhanov from the USA, is especially noteworthy. It caused a real delight among the viewers. And the heartfelt performance of arias from operas by Georges Bizet, Charles Gounod and Giuseppe Verdi made it possible to convey Maira Mukhamedkyzy’s entire emotional depth and artistry. Thunderous applause also sounded after a fragment “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Buranaperformed by the symphony orchestra and choir.
Maira Mukhamedkyzy’s creative path is not just 30 years onstage, it is 30 years of devotion to art. Honoured Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, laureate of many prizes and prestigious awards, for many years she represented Kazakh opera on the world stage. Her extraordinary skill, bright charisma and devotion to art brought her love and recognition of the public not only in Kazakhstan, but also beyond its borders.
The concert, staged by the director Mikhail Pandzhavidze, also featured performances by the children’s choir, Astana Opera Ballet’s principal dancers Anel Rustemova, Olzhas Tarlanov, Dias Kurmangazy, famous Kazakh artists Oraz Mukhamedyar, Zhumabek Kantarbayev, Aibek Kanatbek, Ramina Satybaldy and many others.
The anniversary evening was a kaleidoscope of the singer’s entire musical work over the three decades. The grand finale was the Toi scene from Taskyn Zharmukhamet’s opera Domalaq Ana. The final note of this evening will be remembered for a long time by everyone who witnessed this outstanding cultural event.