The Astana Ballet Theatre is set to return to Almaty with its annual spring tour, presenting a program of major productions from May 2 to 7, DKNews.kz reports.
Performances will take place on the stage of the Almaty Theatre and will showcase the company’s artistic development, combining classical skill with a modern stage language.
New productions for Almaty audience
The theatre said this year’s program will include works that have not yet been shown in Almaty.
“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,” stated Tair Karatayev, the theatre’s director.
The statement underlines the company’s effort to balance artistic tradition with innovation.
Tour opens with “Two Carpets”
The tour will begin on May 2 with the two-act ballet “Two Carpets,” which premiered this autumn.
The production is based on an ancient Azerbaijani legend of the Shirvan carpet.
According to the theatre, the ballet takes audiences into a symbolic world where carpet patterns become a chronicle of human life.
At the center of the story:
- a love story beginning in childhood
- years of separation and war
- reunion through pain and hope
- loyalty and spiritual connection
The libretto was written by Valery Kopeikin, while choreography and direction were created by Alexander Mogilev.
“Carmina Burana” to close the tour
The tour will conclude on May 6 and 7 with the ballet-cantata “Carmina Burana.”
The production won the “Best Production of 2025” award and combines ballet, choir, orchestra and soloists in one large-scale performance.
The story explores timeless themes:
- love
- temptation
- spiritual choice
- struggle between opposing forces
At the center are a young man and woman trying to preserve their emotions while overcoming challenges.
The production draws inspiration from the music of Carl Orff and the visual aesthetics of Renaissance art.
Creative team and performers
The choreographers are Mukaram Abubakhrieva (Avakhri) and Timur Zagidullin.
The musical part will be performed by:
- orchestra
- choir
- soloists
under the direction of Chief Conductor Arman Urazgaliyev.
Opera soloists featured in the production:
- Adil Sultan (baritone)
- Talgat Allabirinov (tenor)
- Firuza Rakhmetova (soprano)
Theatre expects warm reception in Almaty
“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,” said the artistic director of the theatre, Nurlan Kanetov.
Why this matters
The annual Astana Ballet tour has become an important cultural exchange between Kazakhstan’s two largest cities.
It gives Almaty audiences access to new national productions while helping develop contemporary ballet in Kazakhstan.
The performances also show growing ambition in local performing arts, where traditional themes are increasingly combined with modern choreography and large-scale stage formats.
