The Astana Ballet Theatre brought the theatrical season to a close with a large-scale tour in the western region of Kazakhstan.
The company’s performances in Atyrau and Aktau were sold out, making them significant cultural events this summer and giving thousands of viewers the chance to experience the finest examples of national choreography and music, DKNews.kz reports.
The tour was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Its primary objective was to broaden the cultural horizons of the nation, foster creative collaboration between regions, and promote the finest achievements of national art.
The first evening performances of the tour took place on 5 and 6 July at the Makhambet Utemisov Drama Theatre in Atyrau. The audience was presented with the concert program «The Heritage of the Great Steppe», a national divertissement staged by the Honoured Figure of Kazakhstan Aigul Tati. Over the years, the program has become one of the Astana Ballet Theatre’s most recognisable productions, successfully representing Kazakhstan at prestigious international festivals and venues.
The audience warmly welcomed the artists for two evenings, applauding the performances. The audience expressed particular admiration for the vibrant choreographic compositions, which seamlessly integrated the traditions of Kazakh folk dance, elements of ethnography, and the elegance of modern dance movement. The audience was able to experience the richness of the spiritual heritage of the Great Steppe thanks to the national costumes, expressive music and virtuoso performing skills of the artists.
A concert held in the city of Zhanaozen on July 8 was a highlight of the tour program, organised with the support of the Department of Culture, Language Development and Archival Affairs of the Mangystau region and the city’s akimat. The Symphony Orchestra of the Astana Ballet Theater, in collaboration with distinguished opera soloists, performed for representatives of various segments of the population facing social disadvantage, including individuals with disabilities and city residents.
The culminating stage of the tour was constituted by the concerts of the Astana Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra, which took place on 10 and 11 July in Aktau, on the stage of the Abai Cultural and Leisure Centre. The orchestra, under the direction of Chief Conductor Arman Urazgaliyev, presented a large-scale program that combined works by Kazakhstani and European composers.
The highlight of the evening was the participation of leading opera soloists of Kazakhstan – Adil Sultan, Firuza Rakhmetova and Talgat Allabirinov, all laureates of international competitions. They performed famous arias and vocal works that are considered to be part of the golden fund of world musical culture. The exceptional talents of the artists and musicians were met with resounding approval, with numerous pieces receiving standing ovations.
Arman Urazgaliyev, the orchestra’s Chief Conductor, noted that the tour’s concerts created a unique atmosphere:
«It is a great delight for any musician to perform to full houses and feel the audience’s lively response. The audience’s profound interest in academic music was evident, and it was gratifying to share with them the emotions that arise during a live performance. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the residents of Mangystau region for their remarkably cordial welcome, attentiveness to our endeavours, and their sustained applause. Such meetings inspire the team to embark on new creative projects», said Arman Urazgaliyev.
Throughout the season, the company presented large-scale premieres, concert programs and international projects and tours to the audience, consistently demonstrating exceptional performing skills and a deep commitment to art.
After completing the season with a successful tour in the western part of the country, the Astana Ballet Theatre is moving forward with confidence, remaining faithful to its core values of artistic excellence, respect for national heritage, and introducing audiences to new dimensions of national and international art.
