Astana Opera’s tour to Pavlodar has ended on a high note, meeting with overwhelming acclaim from local residents. On 28 March, the Yestai Palace of Culture was packed to capacity, with the performance drawing to a close amidst thunderous applause and cries of ‘Bravo!’. From the beaming faces of the children to the deeply moved connoisseurs, the tour – organised with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan and the leading industrial company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) – brought a true celebration of high art to the region.
Around 2,000 Pavlodar residents turned out to applaud the company on the day. From the outset, the venue foyer hummed with a sense of anticipation. As the house lights dimmed, the audience was instantly drawn into the performance: Donizetti’s Don Pasquale – a sparkling bel canto comedy and a true masterpiece of Italian opera buffa – was brought vividly to life by a stellar cast of soloists (opera company director – Talgat Mussabayev). This light-hearted, witty, and visually flawless production, combined with the artists’ sheer mastery, won over the public immediately. Guests remarked that performances of this calibre are a true source of pride for Kazakh art.
Nazira Taganbayeva, who was in the audience, shared this sentiment. In her view, principal soloist Saltanat Akhmetova (Norina) displayed not only an exquisite bel canto technique but also a remarkable gift for transformation, effortlessly shifting from a timid young girl to a commanding beauty. “I was also particularly thrilled by Yerzhan Saipov as the cunning Malatesta, and Shyngys Rassylkhan, who was brilliant with his virtuosic patter and comedic energy in the title role of Don Pasquale,” Nazira Taganbayeva noted. “For me, their duet was the highlight of the performance, while the lyrical lines of Zhan Tapin (Ernesto) and Ramzat Balakishiyev (Carlino) brought a wonderful poignancy to the evening.”
The audience also particularly praised the seamless ensemble of the soloists, orchestra, chorus, and supernumeraries under the baton of Maestro Ruslan Baimurzin.
“Overall, I enjoyed everything, most of all the live performance. The principal soloist, Saltanat Akhmetova, possesses a truly magnificent voice; her singing is exquisite. The male soloists were equally impressive, with remarkable vocal range. Everything felt so organic – the stage, the sets, the artists, and the way they conveyed emotion – it was captivating. To be honest, this was my first experience of opera. It was a revelation to me that a human voice can possess such power, filling the entire auditorium without a microphone. As for the orchestra, words cannot do it justice. The live performance, the music, the violins – to the ear, it is a world apart from listening through speakers. I appreciate the immense effort involved. Having sung a little myself in the past, I can truly value the difficulty of vocal mastery, maintaining the rhythm, and conveying deep emotion while remaining entirely in character. This is the work not of one person, but of an entire company,” shared Kymbat Suleimenova after the performance. “It is also wonderful that the opera has come to us. It is not always possible to travel to Astana, so when the artists come to our city, it is an event not to be missed. Now, of course, I would love to visit the Astana Opera itself. The stage there is larger, the sets are grander, and with the full choir and orchestra, there are hundreds of performers. That is a different level of power entirely. I have heard so much about the opera Abai, and I am very keen to see it in performed live,” Kymbat concluded.
Beyond the masterful performances themselves, guests were greeted from the outset by a themed photo exhibition in the foyer of the Yestai Palace of Culture. Showcasing the region’s industrial motifs through portraits of the opera house’s artists, the display proved a popular focal point for the audience. Pavlodar residents gathered to discuss the images and take photos against the backdrops, adding to the evening’s sense of occasion.
The matinee programme was a revelation for the younger audience. An engaging concert from the Music Draws and Tells series took place in an interactive format: performances by the opera soloists and orchestra, complemented by a musicologist’s vivid narration, turned the event into a captivating journey into the world of opera house. The national masterpieces were a true highlight of the programme. The folk song ‘Aqqurai’, Latif Khamidi’s ‘Bulbul’, and Nurgissa Tilendiyev’s kui ‘Alqissa’, performed on the dombyra with orchestral accompaniment, vividly demonstrated the richness and beauty of their native music to the children. The Pavlodar audience gave a particularly warm reception to the song ‘Aq Sisa’ by their local compatriot, the renowned composer Zhayau Musa, who was born in the nearby Bayanaul.
“This was my first experience of a classical concert, and I found it profoundly moving. I was deeply touched by the cello and piano performance of Saint-Saëns’ The Swan, the trumpet solo, and Haydn’s Clock Symphony. The final performance, where all the artists took to the stage together, was truly breathtaking and offered a sense of complete artistic harmony. I must also highlight the Kazakh national works; I have a great affinity for national music, and it was wonderful to hear a work by Zhayau Musa, who was born here in Pavlodar region. It was a vast spectrum of emotion and an unforgettable experience. I shall certainly return, as I now wish to attend both opera and ballet performances at Astana Opera,” shared Aigul Tazhgalieva, a Year 11 student at School No. 39.
Organising a tour of this magnitude required a seamless effort from the entire opera house team. Around 100 people arrived from the capital – performers and production staff who together brought the magic of the stage to life.
“For us, supporting culture is more than just a social initiative; it is part of our commitment to regional development and enhancing the quality of life for our communities. Today in Pavlodar, we are joined by ERG employees – metallurgists, engineers, miners, and technicians – whose work is both demanding and vital. We are delighted to offer them this encounter with live music and theatre, providing a chance to unwind with their families and enjoy a truly memorable experience. For some, this is their first time seeing opera performed live, and it is particularly rewarding to see how the talent and energy of the artists have made this such a vibrant and unforgettable evening,” stated Shukhrat Ibragimov, chairman of the board and CEO of Eurasian Resources Group.
“We are committed to making classical art accessible to every region of the country – this is a core mission for the opera house. On this occasion, we brought Donizetti’s masterpiece, Don Pasquale, to Pavlodar, and the wonderful reception from the audience only reinforces the importance of these tours. Moving forward, we intend to expand our touring programme and introduce local residents to our finest national productions,” concluded Astana Opera’s general director, Alexandr Sovostyanov.
