On December 3, the world opera prima donna Bibigul Tulegenova accepted congratulations on her 90th anniversary on the Astana Opera stage. Famous Kazakh opera singers invited by the diva, her pupils – successors of her traditions, winners of the Bibigul Tulegenova Competition took part in the celebration. Numerous admirers of the legendary singer’s work looked forward to the most important surprise – her appearance onstage.
Bibigul Tulegenova met the audience’s expectations, performing exciting numbers from her extensive repertoire: Zhibek’s aria Gakku from Yevgeniy Brusilovsky’s opera Kyz Zhibek (the singer’s hallmark), Tatar song Taftiliau to the lyrics of Gabdulla Tukai, Natalka’s aria from Mykola Lysenko’s opera Natalka Poltavka sounded amazing in the faultless interpretation of the People’s Artist of the USSR Bibigul Tulegenova. After each number, the audience thanked the singer for her dazzling talent with standing ovations.
“Today, the Astana Opera, built on the initiative of our First President, Elbasy Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, is hosting a wonderful celebration, dedicated to the anniversary of the great singer, legendary personality Bibigul Akhmetovna Tulegenova. With all my heart I congratulate you on this recital. All year, thousands of letters addressed to you come from all over the world.
Allow me, Bibigul Akhmetovna, to read you the congratulations of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev,” the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aktoty Raimkulova, addressed the singer. The Minister quoted warm words of congratulations from the President of Kazakhstan and from the Chairperson of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Dariga Nursultanovna Nazarbayeva.
The concert began with video footage about the life and work of the people’s beloved singer, harmoniously continued by the scenes from Akhmet Zhubanov and Latyf Khamidi’s opera Abai performed by Saltanat Muratbekova and Talgat Galeyev, and the opera Kyz Zhibek with the participation of Bibigul Tulegenova.
Performing with her on the same stage is a great honor for everyone: both beginners and masters. This evening, masters of the opera genre – Dina Khamzina, Zhannat Baktay, Medet Chotabayev, Cosimo Oreste, who came to take part in this concert from Italy, as well as young talented singers – Nazym Sagintai, Gulzhanat Sapakova, Meir Bainesh, Guldana Aldadosova and many others presented their art to the audience equally well.
Conductors Abzal Mukhitdin and Arman Urazgaliyev brilliantly led the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra. The opera house’s ballet company also congratulated Bibigul Tulegenova with effervescent numbers. Famous dancers Gaukhar Usina, Tair Gatauov, Olzhas Tarlanov, Anel Rustemova, Nazira Zayetova, Bostan Kozhabekov, Daniyar Zhumatayev presented masterpieces of choreographic art. The Artistic Director of the Ballet Company is Altynai Asylmuratova. The Astana Opera Choir performed excellently under the direction of the Chief Choirmaster Yerzhan Dautov. The Director of the concert is Natalya Kagadiy.
“I am very grateful to our people, to my Motherland, to the general management of the Astana Opera, to all the organizers of this event; I say a thousand and one words of thanks. This evening was very beautiful, but, unfortunately, my friends and colleagues Roza Dzhamanova, Yermek Serkebayev left me. I think tonight is not only my evening, but it is also dedicated to their memory. I am turning 90 years old; I want to leave you my words of edification on behalf of all people of the older generation. My Darlings, let us not envy each other, and let us rejoice in each other’s successes, if someone needs help, let us not avoid it. I wish you good health, happiness, prosperity, may there be more joyful days, so that the Almighty does not give us sorrow, and let there be peace in our country, let everyone be healthy. I saw many difficulties: the Great Patriotic War, hunger, poverty, so the times in which we live is a paradise. Today, many people have gathered at my evening. This is a great happiness, and all thanks to our First President Nursultan Nazarbayev, he has done numerous good deeds for the people, let us not forget about it,” Bibigul Tulegenova said.
According to Kazakh custom, the general management of the Astana Opera presented the festive chapan to the outstanding singer.
Bibigul Tulegenova is on the UNESCO list as one of the twenty outstanding women of the 20th century. She has more than two dozen awards. The singer’s diverse repertoire includes folk songs Gaukhar Tas, Zhiyrma Bes, works of Kazakh composers – Latyf Khamidi’s Bulbul, Yevgeniy Brusilovsky Kos Karlygash, Mukan Tulebayev’s Yeske Alu, Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev’s Tarantella, Sydyk Mukhamedzhanov’s Koktem Valsi, as well as art songs by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, arias from the operas by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, works by Western European composers (Gaetano Donizetti, Edvard Grieg, Franz Schubert) and others.
“For many years, Bibigul Tulegenova’s life is inextricably linked with the stage, where she created many unique portrayals. Performance of the main parts in national operas and programs dedicated to vocal chamber music brought her particular recognition. I am absolutely sure that nothing is impossible for her, she is always full of positivity, and the audience is even ready to travel to another city for her,” Aigul Manarbekova, a resident of Semey, who arrived in Nur-Sultan to attend the concert, said.
The audience did not let the people’s beloved singer go for a long time, giving her a standing ovation, the shouts of “Bravo” came from everywhere, and it seemed that an entire sea of fresh flowers spilled over onstage. All this is the public’s gratitude for her talent and artistic achievement.
