The Operaliya International Music
Festival is taking place in Astana with participants from nine countries across
Asia and Europe. On the stage of the Astana Opera Theatre, renowned artists
from Kazakhstan, Georgia, Spain, Italy, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and
the Czech Republic are showcasing their mastery and artistry. Theatre soloists,
joined by Italian singers Desiree Rancatore, Alberto Gazale, and Giulio
Pelligra, have performed opera’s finest arias. The festival also featured one
of Giacomo Puccini’s grand works, the opera ‘Turandot’.
«Kazakh audiences have a
wonderful opportunity to attend our performances and see internationally
acclaimed artists without leaving the country. ‘Turandot’ is a prestigious
opera that meets European standards and is proudly showcased on world stages,» said
Yerenbak Toikenov, stage director at the Astana Opera theatre.
Overall, the event became a
platform for promoting Kazakh opera art. Audiences enjoyed excerpts from operas
such as ‘Yenlik-Kebek’, ‘Kyz Zhibek’, ‘Alpamys’, and ‘Kamar Sulu’. Domestic
artists also showcased a new dance performance titled ‘Zharmenke’, set to the
music of the Turan ethno-folk ensemble.
«I have observed that foreign
visitors have a great interest in our domestic productions. They are acquainted
with classical works that are consistently featured in theaters worldwide,
making it a familiar experience for them. Therefore, our national opera
attracts genuine interest. Foreign guests eagerly anticipate such performances,
particularly the operas ‘Abai’ and ‘Kyz Zhibek’,» Toikenov added.
In the near future, residents and
visitors of the Kazakh capital will be presented with the two-act opera buffa ‘L’elisir
d’amore’ (The Elixir of Love) by Gaetano Donizetti. The majority of roles will
be performed by graduates of the International Opera Academy, marking their
debut on a prominent stage as part of a major festival.
