The ballet cantata “Carmina Burana” was performed on March 13 and 14 on the stage of the Astana Ballet Theatre, once again bringing together admirers of ballet art and presenting audiences with large-scale, emotionally powerful performances, DKNews.kz reports.
The production, which premiered in the summer to great public acclaim, once again demonstrated a unique synthesis of artistic forms. On the stage of the capital’s theatre, the orchestra, choir and ballet troupe performed together within a unified scenic space, creating a striking artistic experience.
A powerful work of the 20th century
The philosophical and emotionally rich ballet is based on the mystical and captivating music of composer Carl Orff. The composition is considered one of the most significant works of the 20th century, distinguished by its powerful energy and unique position between academic classical tradition and popular culture.
The ballet reflects on human nature, the suffering and struggles of the soul, and the inseparable connection between humanity and higher forces. Within the stage concept, the material and the spiritual, the creative and the destructive intersect, revealing the idea of the eternal movement of the wheel of fortune, the flame of life and the renewal of the soul.
Story of love, temptation and harmony
At the center of the narrative are two characters — a young man and a young woman.
United by the power of love, they must overcome temptations and preserve the purity of their thoughts in order to maintain harmony.
The visual concept of the performance draws inspiration from two artistic worlds:
- the powerful musical imagery of Carl Orff
- the aesthetic principles of Renaissance artists
Within this symbolic stage universe, the forces of creation and destruction appear as figurative characters associated with the Creator and the Destroyer.
Choreography combining classical and contemporary styles
The choreographic concept of the production was created by Mukaram Abubakhrieva (Avakhri) and Timur Zagidullin.
Their expressive choreographic language blends several artistic directions:
- neoclassical ballet technique
- contemporary choreography
- elements of movement improvisation
This combination allows the performance to convey the philosophical depth and emotional intensity of the musical work.
Orchestra, choir and opera soloists on stage
The musical part of the performance was delivered by the theatre’s orchestra, choir and soloists under the direction of chief conductor Arman Urazgaliyev.
The vocal section was performed by the choir led by Gulmira Kuttybadamova, adding powerful sound and scale to the production.
The performance also featured opera soloists who performed the vocal parts of the cantata:
- baritone Adil Sultan
- tenor Talgat Allabirinov
- soprano Firuza Rakhmetova
Their participation enriched the performance and reinforced its dramatic intensity.
A synthesis of music, dance and stage design
The ballet-cantata “Carmina Burana” occupies a special place in the repertoire of the Astana Ballet Theatre.
It represents a large-scale artistic synthesis combining:
- music
- choreography
- vocals
- lighting dramaturgy
Together, these elements create a philosophical stage canvas exploring the eternal cycle of life and the triumph of love.
The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
