This spring, Astana Opera embarks on a tour of Kazakhstan’s cities, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan and leading industrial company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). The first stop on the tour will feature the opera house’s soloists, orchestra, chorus and supernumeraries in Pavlodar. On 28 March, the company will present Donizetti’s effervescent opera buffa Don Pasquale and a children’s concert from the Music Draws and Tells series at the Yestai Palace of Culture.
“The Yestai Palace of Culture holds a special place on our opera house’s touring map. A loyal audience for Astana Opera has grown in Pavlodar, and we value this deeply. Our performances for the Pavlodar audience have become a cherished tradition since 2022. We are grateful to ERG for supporting this cultural mission; it offers our artists a wonderful opportunity to showcase their mastery and continue sharing world classical masterpieces with the people of the region,” noted Alexandr Sovostyanov, general director of Astana Opera.
Choosing Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale for the tour was no coincidence; it remains one of the most vibrant comic operas in the global repertoire. The witty plot, built on the eternal theme of love and humorous misunderstandings, moves at a brisk pace, keeping the audience engaged until the final curtain. This spectacular production is the result of a creative collaboration between Ala Simonishvili and People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Abzal Mukhitdin. The Pavlodar audience can look forward to the vocal mastery and expressive acting of the soloists, complemented by the visual splendour of Manana Gunia’s striking sets and refined costumes. The lyricism and energy of Donizetti’s score will create a truly festive atmosphere, making the performance as captivating for long-time aficionados of Astana Opera as it is for those discovering the art form for the first time.
On this day, employees of ERG’s industrial plants and other Pavlodar residents will have the chance to experience the artistry of the opera house’s celebrated soloists, led by the director of the opera company, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Talgat Mussabayev. A brilliant cast of vocalists will offer their interpretations of the characters. The part of the charming Norina will be performed by principal soloist, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Saltanat Akhmetova, while the ardent Ernesto will be performed by Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Zhan Tapin, and the cunning Dr Malatesta by Yerzhan Saipov. Shyngys Rassylkhan takes the stage in the title role of the mature bachelor Don Pasquale, with Ramzat Balakishiyev appearing as the comedic Carlino. The Astana Opera Orchestra, Chorus, soloists, and supernumeraries will perform under the baton of Ruslan Baimurzin, recipient of the Order of Qurmet.
Special attention has been paid to younger audiences in the tour programme. An engaging concert from the Music Draws and Tells series has been prepared for the children of Pavlodar. Soprano Yelena Ganzha and other soloists, alongside the opera house’s instrumentalists and orchestra, will present not only world classics but also works by Kazakh composers, introducing children to the rich diversity of operatic voices and musical instruments. The piano part will be performed by Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Raushan Beskembirova, complemented by captivating storytelling from musicologist Mereke Es. The Astana Opera’s management believes that such initiatives help to nurture a new generation of art connoisseurs, instilling a love of the classics from an early age.
A photo exhibition in the foyer of the Yestai Palace of Culture will provide a unique backdrop, exploring the theme of industry through artistic portraits of the opera house’s performers.
“For us, this is more than just a tradition; it is a warm friendship between Astana Opera and ERG. Our employees and their families look forward to each new production. We strive to meet those expectations and nurture the cultural interests of our ‘Eurasians’. We are particularly pleased that dedicated performances are being held for children as well. The company consistently supports projects in the fields of culture and education, contributing to the development of both the regions and the country as a whole,” concluded Serik Shakhazhanov, chairman of the management board of Eurasian Resources Group in Kazakhstan.
It is noteworthy that the primary audience in Pavlodar will be drawn from ERG’s key industrial enterprises in the region, including Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC, Kazakhstan Aluminium Smelter JSC, Pavlodar Machinery Plant, Aksu Ferroalloys Plant, Eurasian Energy Corporation JSC, and Vostochny Coal Mine. These performances form part of the opera house’s long-term initiative to expand cultural access across the country’s regions. Astana Opera’s tour will extend beyond Pavlodar: following the performances in the Pavlodar-Irtysh region, the company is set to perform in Khromtau and Aqtobe.
