Today, 10 August, Abai Day is celebrated at the state level in Kazakhstan. This holiday is a symbol of boundless respect for the great poet, thinker, and founder of Kazakh written literature, Abai Qunanbaiuly, as well as his deep philosophy and rich spiritual heritage.
In this regard, it should be noted that at Astana Opera, honouring Abai’s memory is not limited to a single day. Work to popularise the life and creative output of the great poet has been conducted since the opera house’s opening.
The main link connecting Abai to Astana Opera is the opera Abai by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi, set to a libretto by Mukhtar Auezov. The opera house’s principal conductor, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan and State Prize laureate, great-grandson of Akhmet Zhubanov, Alan Buribayev, breathed new life into the production. His edition freed the work from the accretions of time and restored the music to its original purity. In 2012, he presented Abai to the German public; the premiere of the production at Astana Opera took place in 2015, and in 2018 the performance was awarded the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
World-renowned masters worked on the production: Italian stage director Giancarlo del Monaco, contemporary set designer Ezio Frigerio, and the Academy Award-winning costume designer Franca Squarciapino. Their collaboration with Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, principal chorus master of Astana Opera Yerzhan Dautov and assistant director Yerenbak Toikenov transports audience members into Abai’s unique era. Over the years, the opera house has presented this production in Uzbekistan, Italy, and Russia.
In keeping with established tradition, the company will open its 14th season this year with this production. Residents and guests of the capital will have an opportunity to attend performances two days in a row – on 4 and 5 September.
Events dedicated to popularising Abai’s rich musical heritage are also held regularly within the opera house. In 2024, the mono-opera Tolyq Adam. Oi Tolghau. Khakim Abai, dedicated to the work of Abai Qunanbaiuly, was presented with great success on the Grand Hall stage.
The creator of the mono-opera, People’s Artist of Kazakhstan and State Prize laureate Shakhimardan Abilov, harmoniously combined three parts of the work with the wise teachings of the great Abai. His philosophy was expressed through songs and poetry. Each theme was augmented by vivid stage imagery, heightening the emotional impact of the performance on the audience. After the performance, members of the audience noted that they were able to gain a deeper insight into the fathomless world of the great poet’s creative legacy. On this evening, the well-known opera singer performed alongside the talented pianist and international competition laureate Aliyar Otetileu.
Furthermore, last year, in honour of the poet’s 180th anniversary, Astana Opera organised a series of significant events. The first was the concert Uiyqtap Zhatqan Zhurektı An Oyatar, held in the Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall.
During tours abroad and across cities in Kazakhstan, the company regularly includes Abai’s songs in its concert programmes. Last year, during a tour by the opera company’s soloists in Aktobe, as part of the Year of Skilled Trades and the celebration of Abai’s 180th anniversary, his famous song “Kozımnın Qarasy” was performed at the Aktobe Ferroalloy Plant by the artists together with the metallurgists.
Astana Opera considers it a great honour to connect its repertoire with Abai’s heritage. As the President of our country noted, Abai’s concept of Tolyq Adam (‘The Complete Person’) serves as a spiritual landmark not only for the past, but for the present and future as well. Therefore, Astana Opera will continue to popularise the work of the great Abai.