The Astana Opera Ballet is about to go on tour. On November 21, the company will participate in the fourth annual Freedom Festival at Almaty Theatre, performing an excerpt from Ludwig Minkus and Édouard Deldevez’s romantic ballet Paquita alongside leading international dancers. Two days later, on November 23, the company will present the same program at Astana Ballet.
It is worth noting that the Freedom Festival is one of the most prestigious ballet events in Kazakhstan. It is held in our country for the fourth time with the support of Freedom Holding Corp international investment group.
“Last year, Astana Opera warmly welcomed the Freedom Festival participants on its stage. Following the festival, the organizers presented our opera house with a new contemporary ballet by choreographer Valentino Zucchetti, Souvenir de Danse, which has earned a worthy place in our repertoire. Therefore, this year we were delighted to accept the invitation to once again join this cultural event. Furthermore, touring Kazakhstan, especially Almaty, which we consider our alma mater, always brings our dancers great pleasure. We are confident that these performances will inspire our ballet company and open up new opportunities for creative collaboration,” Alexandr Sovostyanov, Astana Opera’s general director, emphasized.
The festival organizers’ invitation for the Astana Opera Ballet to participate in the ballet Paquita was no coincidence. In 2016, the ballet company’s artistic director, People’s Artist of Russia Altynai Asylmuratova, staged a magnificent divertissement from Paquita. The performance of this classical masterpiece was a testament to the company’s high professional level. Now, the legendary Paquita will open the program of the fourth Freedom Festival in both Almaty and Astana.
It should be emphasized that, along with Astana Opera’s dancers, the production will feature Chloe Misseldine, principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre (ABT, New York), and Martin ten Kortenaar, principal dancer of the Staatsballett Berlin.
The Astana Opera Ballet is rigorously preparing for these tour performances. The group selected for this major ballet event includes not only the opera house’s talented ballet soloists, but also graduates of the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, who joined the company this year. Incidentally, they have already been entrusted with performing coryphée and solo parts. Bright soloist Moldir Shakimova, as well as the talented dancers Ademi Zhanabil, Diana Yeskalieva, and Torgyn Leben will perform variations from the ballet Paquita. Elmar Buribayev will be conducting the performances.
It is worth reminding that these are not the first performances of Astana Opera’s dancers at Almaty Theatre and Astana Ballet. They have previously taken part in a number of concerts, galas, and performances. Now, at the festival organizers’ invitation, the Astana Opera Ballet will once again delight audiences at these two theatres with its high professional skill and shine on the same stage with world stars as part of a grand ballet event.
