The Astana Opera tour to Kazakhstan’s industrial cities, organized as part of the opera house’s 13th season, concluded in Aqtobe. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan and the leading international industrial company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), the creative team delivered a highly successful performance at the Oner Ortalyghy Concert Hall on 31 May. Gaetano Donizetti’s brilliant comic opera, Don Pasquale, drew thunderous applause from the Aqtobe audience.
In the foyer of the Oner Ortalyghy, eager audience members waited for the auditorium doors to open. Meanwhile, backstage, Maestro Abzal Mukhitdin fine-tuned the final details with the orchestra and soloists. The artists shared a sense of keen anticipation; performing for an audience that was welcoming them for the third time brought the company immense joy, but also a tremendous sense of responsibility.
Whenever the Astana Opera performs on tour in the regions, local residents eagerly look forward to experiencing the very best of the opera house’s repertoire. For this visit to Aqtobe, the capital’s company chose Gaetano Donizetti’s opera buffa Don Pasquale, taking the audience on a vibrant journey back to 19th-century Italy. Both seasoned opera lovers and newcomers to the genre watched with bated breath as the story unfolded of Don Pasquale, a wealthy old bachelor who decides to marry purely out of spite for his nephew.
Aqtobe resident Zhadyra Balmukhankyzy expressed her admiration for the production.
“I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Astana Opera artists,” said Ms Balmukhankyzy. “Having witnessed such a magnificent performance, I am delighted. I deeply appreciate the art of opera, as I understand the immense complexity of the genre. Yet, the artists performed with such consummate skill that everything appeared effortless and natural. They provided hundreds of us in the audience with a profound spiritual experience, and I can only express my gratitude to the artists from the capital. Whenever you return, we will always be ready to welcome you with warmth. Next time, I will certainly bring my entire family.”
Her sentiments were echoed by audience member Zhanna Volkova. “My children insisted I attend, telling me, ‘Go and see the performance.’ Honestly, this was my first time attending an Astana Opera production. I am not a great opera enthusiast, and I had not previously heard of this work by Donizetti. However, before arriving, I read a little about the production and learned it would be
performed in Italian. The performance was so sincere and harmonious that, within twenty minutes, I no longer needed the surtitles; I was completely immersed in the narrative. Thanks to the artists' superb performance, I understood everything unfolding on stage. I would like to express my immense gratitude to the entire company for such an unforgettable evening.”
The exceptional vocal talents and acting skills of the company’s soloists captivated the entire audience. Shyngys Rassylkhan, a laureate of the Daryn State Youth Award, delivered a highly convincing portrayal of the grumpy, egoistic Don Pasquale. Meanwhile, Zhan Tapin, an Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, masterfully captured the romantic sensibility and noble spirit of the nephew, Ernesto. Aizada Kaponova, recipient of the Order of Qurmet, took the stage as the beautiful Norina, brilliantly combining quick wit and comedic energy to showcase her character’s inner evolution. The comedic undertones of the opera buffa were further enriched by Yerzhan Saipov’s interpretation of the cunning Dr Malatesta, Ramzat Balakishiyev’s portrayal of Carlino, and the excellent performance of the chorus. Bringing the entire production together, the Astana Opera Chamber Orchestra, conducted by People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Abzal Mukhitdin, conjured a genuinely Italian atmosphere and set a flawless pace for the performance.
The Khromtau audience’s appreciation was equally keen, and they applauded the Astana Opera artists just as enthusiastically. On 29 May, as part of the tour programme, the company performed a concert of vocal and instrumental music at the city’s Culture and Leisure Centre. Performed by opera singers Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan Zhannat Baktay, Saltanat Muratbekova, Zhan Tapin, Yerzhan Saipov, Ramzat Balakishiyev, Shyngys Rassylkhan, and others, the folk song ‘Gulderaiym’, Abai Qunanbaiuly’s ‘Kozimnin Qarasy’, and ‘Koktem Valsi’ by Alexander Zatsepin, with lyrics by Qadyr Myrza-Ali, particularly resonated with the listeners. Alongside these national works, the audience also had the opportunity to enjoy masterpieces of global classical music: the Duke’s iconic aria, ‘La donna è mobile’, from Verdi’s Rigoletto; the celebrated Brindisi, ‘Libiamo ne' lieti calici’, from La Traviata; and the ‘Habanera’ from Bizet’s Carmen, among others. The artists performed with collaborative pianist Raushan Beskembirova, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan.
“Today I had an unforgettable experience at the Stars of Astana Opera gala concert. I was particularly moved by Abai’s song ‘Kozimnin Qarasy’, a piece I have cherished since childhood. Both the vocalists and the orchestra performed to an exceptionally high standard. I would also like to specifically commend the artistry of principal oboe Damilya Makhpirova, an Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, assistant principal first violin Anel Shakirova, and flautist Alexander Taraskin, all of whom delivered superb solo instrumental performances. We are delighted that this renowned company from the capital has visited our town for the second time,” shared Aigerim Abdullina, an employee of the Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant.
Another highlight of the tour was a themed photo exhibition, enERGy of Earth, hosted in the foyers of both the Oner Ortalyghy Concert Hall and the Culture and Leisure Centre. The audience showed great interest in the exhibition, which explored the pressing themes of sustainable natural resource management and fostering an eco-culture, and visitors thoroughly enjoyed taking photos against the exhibition’s backdrop.
“This year, our company has successfully performed in Pavlodar, Aqtobe, and Khromtau, which was made possible thanks to the support of ERG. I offer my sincere congratulations to all the
artists and backstage crew on the successful conclusion of our tour. I wish all my colleagues boundless inspiration and major achievements,” concluded Alexandr Sovostyanov, Astana Opera’s general director.
The tour drew packed houses and became a milestone event both for the residents and guests of both cities, and for the employees and families of the Aqtobe Ferroalloy Plant and the Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant in Khromtau. Having uplifted the local community and left them with unforgettable memories, the Astana Opera artists are already eagerly looking forward to their next encounter with such an appreciative audience.
