The Astana Ballet Theatre toured at the E. Umurzakov Kostanay Regional Philharmonic from September 12 to 14. For two evenings in a row, residents of Kostanay were fortunate enough to enjoy a variety of performances, including masterpieces of world classics, modern productions and striking examples of national choreography, DKNews.kz reports.
The tour was met with great enthusiasm by the public, who greeted the artists with warm applause, and each production – whether classical, modern or folk – was well-received by the audience.
On the first evening, September 12, the audience had the privilege of witnessing Alberto Alonso’s renowned ballet, “Carmen Suite”, set to the music of Georges Bizet, arranged by Rodion Shchedrin. Drawing inspiration from the unique personality of Maya Plisetskaya, this ballet has been recognised as a remarkable work of the 20th century, and its performance by the Astana Ballet troupe has left a lasting impression on audiences.
The second half of the evening featured a production called “The Arcana of Fate”, choreographed by Mukaram Avakhri and set to music by the renowned composer Karina Abdullina. The performance was notable for its powerful dramaturgy, outstanding plasticity and emotional energy, enhanced by the sound of the symphony orchestra under the direction of the theatre’s chief conductor, Arman Urazgaliyev.
The tour program culminated in a performance of the national divertissement “The Heritage of the Great Steppe”, the signature performance of the Astana Ballet Theatre, created by the honoured figure of Kazakhstan Aigul Tati. The audience was captivated by the colourful choreographic miniatures, which were organically united by the theme of the rich cultural heritage of the Great Steppe. The miniatures featured beautiful costumes and harmoniously combined tradition and modernity.
“We are very glad that the tour in Kostanay was so warmly received. It is important to us to see the audience’s sparkling eyes and feel their sincere support and love for our art. This exchange of energy and emotions has the potential to inspire new achievements and demonstrate the universality of the art of ballet, which many people can relate to,” observed the artistic director of the Astana Ballet Theatre, Nurlan Kanetov.
Theatre director Tair Karatayev also shared his impressions: “We did our best to present our work in a way that would do it justice and demonstrate the theatre’s versatility. The warm welcome extended by the residents of Kostanay seems to suggest that our mission has been successful. For the troupe, this was more than just a performance; it was a real creative dialogue with the audience. We are delighted to have captured the hearts of Kostanay’s residents.”
In addition to the performances, the tour included social projects dedicated to Family Day.
The tour of the Astana Ballet Theatre in Kostanay was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
