With the arrival of May, the International Music Festival "Operalia" once again opens its doors in the capital. The event will begin on May 16 at the Astana Opera and run until July 13. During this time, the main theatre of the country will host vibrant opera and ballet performances, as well as engaging concert programs. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the festival will feature over 30 events, bringing together artists from Italy, Bulgaria, China, Mongolia, Russia, and, of course, Kazakhstan.

For two months, "Operalia 2025" will become a true cultural marathon, with each event offering something unique. This is the third year that Astana Opera is hosting the festival, which has a history of more than twenty years.

Renowned conductors – Alan Buribayev, Abzal Mukhitdin, Giuseppe Acquaviva, Ruslan Baimurzin, Arman Urazgaliyev, and Elmar Buribayev – will take turns leading the musical celebration, each adding their personal touch to the festival evenings.

The festival will open on May 16–17 with a stunning premiere of Roland Petit’s one-act ballets: L’Arlésienne, Le Jeune Homme et la Mort, and Carmen. Passionate and inimitable, they will set the tone for the entire festival.
A kaleidoscope of performances and concerts will follow:
— May 20: The first comic opera Aisulu by S. Mukhamedzhanov;
— May 23: A special creative evening by leading soloist Madina Unerbayeva;
— May 24–25: fairy tales for children — Puss in Boots by C. Cui and Cinderella directed by R. Rebek on June 1–2.

A large-scale production of Carmen by Bizet will be staged on June 6, featuring Dmitry Golovnin (Russia) as José. Two days later, audiences will enjoy Nomad Inspiration, a unique collaboration between Astana Opera and the Kazakh ethno-folk ensemble HasSak.

The festival will shine like a multifaceted gem across the theatre’s various stages — from the Grand Hall to the intimate Chamber Hall and the refined Marble Hall. The Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall will host a series of concerts, from the virtuosic violinist Pavel Minev (Bulgaria) to a cello evening featuring Salauat Karibayev and Aliyar Otetleu.
The festival will also present piano virtuosos, orchestral music, and opera masterworks.
"Operalia 2025" in Astana will gather the brightest gems of Kazakh and global art!