The Astana Ballet Theatre is set to captivate audiences once again with its annual tour in Almaty. From 2 to 8 May, the theatre’s talented performers will take the stage at the Almaty Theatre, showcasing a diverse range of productions that reflect the creative journey of the company and its pursuit of a modern theatrical language, DKNews.kz reports.
A Fresh Artistic Approach
Tair Karatayev, the theatre’s director, shared his enthusiasm for the tour and the new productions that will be presented to the Almaty audience:
“It is vital for the theatre to uphold a consistently high standard of performance whilst also being proactive in expanding its artistic horizons. This year, we are proud to present new productions that have not been seen by the Almaty audience yet. These works represent our creative endeavours in finding new, contemporary means to address our audience. I am confident that the performances will resonate with the audience and evolve into a notable cultural occasion.”
The Heart of the Program: ‘Two Carpets’
The tour will kick off on 2 May with the two-act ballet Two Carpets, which premiered in autumn. The production, based on the ancient Azerbaijani legend of the Shirvan carpet, presents a sweeping artistic narrative. The ballet transports the audience into a world where intricate carpet patterns become a symbol of human life, preserving destinies and emotions.
At the core of the story is a love that began in childhood and endured through time, war, and separation. The characters reunite, bound by pain, hope, and an unbreakable bond symbolized by the carpet. The libretto, written by Valery Kopeikin, and the choreography by Alexander Mogilev combine to bring this epic tale to life through expressive movement and powerful storytelling.
‘Carmina Burana’ to Close the Tour
The tour will conclude with the ballet-cantata Carmina Burana, to be performed on 7 and 8 May. This production, which won the “Best Production of 2025” award, is a powerful synthesis of ballet, choir, orchestra, and soloists. The work explores timeless themes of human nature—love, temptation, spiritual choice, and the conflict between opposing forces.
At the heart of Carmina Burana is the emotional struggle of two souls, a young man and woman, battling to preserve their feelings and overcome the challenges they face. The production’s imagery is drawn from the music of Carl Orff and the visual principles of Renaissance artists, creating a dramatic stage where the forces of creation and destruction clash.
The choreography, led by Mukaram Abubakhrieva (Avakhri) and Timur Zagidullin, is complemented by an orchestra and choir, conducted by Arman Urazgaliyev. The opera soloists include Adil Sultan (baritone), Talgat Allabirinov (tenor), and Firuza Rakhmetova (soprano).
A Cultural Highlight for Almaty
Nurlan Kanetov, the artistic director of the theatre, emphasized the significance of the tour for both the theatre and its Almaty audience:
“The tour in Almaty is always a significant event for our theatre, and each year we eagerly anticipate meeting our esteemed Almaty audience. When putting together the program of tours in Almaty, we do our best to include productions that have not been seen by the audience yet. Our aspiration to explore new forms and meanings in ballet has also been reflected in the touring repertoire. Although the artistic forms of the performances Two Carpets and Carmina Burana are very different, each of them deserves to be seen and appreciated by the audience. We hope that the Almaty audience will feel all the energy and talent of our artists and will live each of these vivid and touching stories with us.”
This exciting cultural event is made possible with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
