On May 16, 2025, the beloved Astana Opera Theatre hosted the long-awaited opening of the annual International Festival “Operalia.”
The festive evening was marked by a dazzling premiere featuring three masterpieces of Roland Petit’s choreographic art: the one-act ballets L’Arlésienne, Le Jeune Homme et la Mort, and Carmen.
The ballet Le Jeune Homme et la Mort (“The Young Man and Death”) received a particularly heartfelt response from the audience.
This work is a philosophical parable brought to life through movement, set to the majestic and tragic passacaglia by J.S. Bach. For 18 minutes of stage action, we witnessed a dramatic encounter between youth and the finality of existence. The role of the Young Man was performed by the brilliant ballet artist and Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, Bakhtiyar Adamzhan, who flawlessly demonstrated exceptional technical mastery in classical dance, combined with the psychological depth and expressive power of contemporary choreography. Contrasting poses and sudden shifts from slow adagios to explosive movements powerfully conveyed the internal transformation of consciousness — from hope to despair, and finally to a fatal decision.
Bakhtiyar Adamzhan’s portrayal of the Young Man has become a benchmark for male dramatic dance. He achieved artistic perfection in this role, presenting a multi-layered portrait of the human soul standing before the agonizing and terrifying choice between oblivion, silence, and the passage into eternity. His dance should be seen as a deeply personal artistic statement about the essence of human existence.
A kind of mystical poetry emerged from Bakhtiyar’s surname, “Adamzhan” – literally, “soul of a man” – which added layers of spiritual meaning to this ballet. The moment of truth came when Bakhtiyar Adamzhan stepped into the audience, like an ordinary person. Yet the audience recognized their idol and, enchanted by the genius of the performance, rose to their feet in unison, honoring the master whose gift transforms each movement into poetry. The fusion of the artist’s talent and the admiration of the audience created an invisible thread — one that connected the dancers’ soul with the reverent gratitude of a standing ovation.
Thank you for the emotions we lived through. Thank you for the art that stirs our hearts!
Roland Petit’s one-act ballet Carmen, created to the original music of Georges Bizet, stands as a remarkable choreographic masterpiece that heralds the beginning of a new era in ballet art.
The premiere of Carmen was dedicated to the opening of the annual International Festival Operalia in Astana. Our beloved Astana Opera Theatre presented a priceless gift to the residents and guests of the capital by adding this fantastically beautiful production to its repertoire.
On May 17, the role of Carmen was brought to life on stage by Aigerim Beketayeva – prima ballerina of Astana Opera and Honored Artist of Kazakhstan.
Aigerim Beketayeva is one of the most recognized and outstanding ballerinas of our time, capable of embodying the most complex and emotionally charged characters in ballet art.
Her Carmen is the embodiment of freedom — the only way of life possible for a woman who chooses love by the command of the heart. Aigerim’s dance was a heartfelt confession, raw and sincere to the very depths of her soul. She conveyed the bitter drama of life yet remained unbroken.
Every movement by Aigerim was filled with inner strength and fire. Her Carmen, once written in the novella by Prosper Mérimée and immortalized in Bizet’s opera, was reborn through Roland Petit’s ballet.
All the nuances of her dance — from a tilt of the head to the rotation of her torso — expressed the proud and independent spirit of Carmen. Her dynamic spins embodied the whirlwind of passion, while her high, weightless leaps reflected her untamed, freedom-loving soul.
Aigerim Beketayeva’s Carmen was not merely performed — it was lived on stage. To Carmen, uncompromising freedom is the highest value and the very principle of life. She is no victim of circumstance, but a woman who consciously walks toward her tragic fate, choosing death over a life without freedom.
We pay tribute to the outstanding performers of the role of Carmen.
Zizi Jeanmaire — the first and exemplary Carmen, who infused the character with dramatic depth. Maya Plisetskaya — known for her fiery and passionate artistry. Sylvie Guillem — who showcased phenomenal technical brilliance on stage.
The Carmen of Aigerim Beketayeva is distinguished by the depth of emotional experience, secret feelings, and passions.
Behind the mask of a bold seductress lies a vulnerable and tender soul, destined for a tragic end.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to Aigerim Beketayeva for the miracle of ballet art, for her unique, delicate ability to convey thoughts and a complex palette of emotions through movement and grace — without a single word.
The characters she brings to life remain etched in memory. They continue to stir the soul and inspire the pursuit of beauty — a beauty that transforms ordinary life into a celebration and a source of inspiration.
Ардак Жиенгалиева | @ardak_zhiyengaliyeva
