Nursultan Nazarbayev will be present at 'Astana Opera' theatre opening
The theatre will be opened with a pearl of Kazakh art – opera “Birzhan-Sara”, staged by the Russian director Yury Aleksandrov. The performance is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the outstanding Kazakh composer Mukan Tulebaev.
The main roles is performed by opera stars Nurzhamal Usenbaeva and Akhmet Agadi. The lyrical work is based on a true story of spirit and love between a folk singer Birzhan-sal and a talented poetess Sara. The opera’s final is tragic – Birzhan dies. But his inspirational songs are forever alive. Yury Aleksandrov will present a new version of the opera, the final is changed there. Folklore is relegated to the background, feelings dominate along with human emotions. “The main thing is to show the idea of personal drama and everlasting love”, says the director.
Yury Aleksandrov, director-producer of “Birzhan-Sara” opera:
“We’re staging an absolutely historical performance. It is subject to costumes, decorations, we don’t suppose any changes. Love is love everywhere, in Kazakhstan and Milan. How to find the balance between the bright theatrical work, which attracts the public today, and preserve the pristine beauty that is contained in the work”.
At the opening of the new theatre “Astana Opera”, solemn transfer of the first exhibits to the theatre’s museum was held. At the origins of the Kazakh national opera there were many talented singers. Among the galaxy of artists a special place is occupied by Bibi Artykova. She created a whole gallery of opera images “Kyz Jibek”, “Abay”, “Er-Targyn”, “Ayman Sholpan”, “Zhelbir”. At the press conference, a daughter of Bibi Artykova, Akmaral Artykova, donated to the theatre’s museum the priceless documents - letters, extracts from the orders, identity of the opera house, a medal for winning the Second World War, unique photographs and scenic brooch of the talented singer.
Akmaral Artykova, daughter of the opera singer Bibi Artykova:
”After watching her papers, I realized that I could not keep them, I have to share, they need to be with the opera, with the song. That's my mom in the role of “Kyz Jibek”. It is all original”.
”Astana Opera” will become a brand of Kazakhstan and the world of opera, according to the theatre director Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov. Here the best artists will perform and the world opera houses will be touring – “La Scala”, “Bolshoy”, “Mariinsky”, etc. Astana residents and guests of the capital can enjoy the art of opera for a very reasonable price.
Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov, director of SOBT “Astana Opera”:
“The most reasonable price - 500 tenge for a place in gallery, for youth, students, and when there are the world stars, the tickets will be more expensive. But for anyone, who wants to come to the opera, the prices are available, I think”.
Capacity of the opera hall of the theatre is 1 250 sits. The interior is striking with its beauty. Theatre is the largest in Central Asia, and is equipped with machinery that can’t be found in any theater in the world. Unique acoustics is here as the floor and walls are made of birch wood, beech and cherry tree. The stage is equipped with 127 lifting machines that allow change the scenery for a second. The theatre will be the pride of all Kazakh art.