Even during the summer recess, musicians continue to perform. On 31 July, Astana Opera’s Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall presents Musical Holidays, a vibrant programme offering audiences a rare opportunity to hear students from the world’s leading conservatoires. For these young artists, it is also a welcomed occasion to demonstrate at home that their years abroad have yielded exceptional results.
Behind the deceptively light title of Musical Holidays lies the rigorous discipline of nine young talents: soprano Marta Nabatova; violinists Dariga Kazkenova and Adelya Duisenbai; flautists Afina Mavidi and Kamilya Ismagulova; pianists Mariya Shavtelskaya and Radiya Orazalinova; classical guitarist Aidar Bizhanov; and composer Alibi Zhanat. Each commands victories at international competitions and training at institutions many only aspire to attend, spanning St Petersburg, Moscow, and Vienna.
The programme is carefully curated to showcase the performers’ capabilities to full advantage. The pianistic segment represents a formidable test of endurance. Mariya Shavtelskaya opens the evening with a celebrated audience favourite, N. Mendygaliyev’s Legend of the Dombyra, followed by a virtuoso performance of Qurmanghazy’s Adai, arranged by A. Zhaiym. Radiya Orazalinova will then demonstrate both brilliant technique and profound emotional depth through Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 1, Rachmaninoff’s Prelude No. 6, and Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1.
The compelling soprano Marta Nabatova presents the operatic selection, performing Nedda’s Recitative and Ballatella from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci alongside Elvira’s aria from Mozart’s Don Giovanni – a pairing designed to contrast distinct stylistic eras and dramatic intensities. Violinists Dariga Kazkenova and Adelya Duisenbai will showcase the nuances of the European school; Adelya introduces the string repertoire with Saint-Saëns’ Havanaise, while Dariga presents the second and third movements of Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Flautists Kamilya Ismagulova and Afina Mavidi introduce a breath of French charm, featuring Fauré’s Fantaisie for Flute and Piano performed by Kamilya, and Borne’s Fantaisie Brillante on Themes from Bizet’s Carmen performed by Afina. Finally, guitarist Aidar Bizhanov injects a distinctive temperament into the evening with Tárrega’s Capricho Árabe and Roland Dyens’ fiery Fuoco.
Alibi Zhanat is unique among the participants, appearing not only as a performer but as an author. His own Variations for Dombyra and Piano (in which he performs on the dombyra alongside pianist Mariya Shavtelskaya), Song Without Words for solo piano, and the art song Sezim Syry for soprano and piano, featuring Marta Nabatova, are programmed alongside the works of the established classics.
“For the Musical Holidays concert, I have prepared three of my own compositions, each reflecting different facets of my musical language,” the composer notes. “These works span different genres and are scored for distinct instrumentations. They intertwine romantic lyricism, folklore inflections, and contemporary academic classical composition techniques, allowing me to reveal diverse aspects of my creative signature. As these pieces are being introduced to the Kazakh public for the first time, this performance marks their national premiere. It is profoundly meaningful to me that their debut in Kazakhstan takes place within this specific artistic project. Ultimately, Musical Holidays offers a wonderful opportunity to share the stage with friends and fellow musicians, to exchange creative energy, and to offer the audience an atmosphere of live musical dialogue. Evenings like this are always exceptional events, uniting performers and listeners through a shared devotion to music. I am delighted to be part of this project and eagerly look forward to welcoming our audience,” Alibi Zhanat concludes.
The concert will begin at 7 pm.