On 16, 17, and 18 January, Astana Opera will present one of its most sought-after repertoire highlights: Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, staged by the artistic director of the ballet company, Altynai Asylmuratova. One of the evenings will be marked by striking debuts as promising young dancers Torgyn Leben (Odette) and Kamila Shakhmanova (Odile) perform the quintessential roles of the White and Black Swans for the first time.
The New Year is a traditional time for the fulfilment of cherished dreams, and for Torgyn Leben, a young graduate of the Academy of Choreography, this period marks the realisation of a creative ambition: her debut in the leading role of Swan Lake. Preparing the role of the White Swan, Odette, the dancer established herself as a talent to watch during her student years; her credentials already include victories at prestigious international competitions, including First Prize at the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix in Hungary.
“Preparing the part of Odette under the guidance of Altynai Asylmuratova is a great honour and responsibility. Realising that the character is being passed down to me by the definitive interpreter of this role means a great deal, and I am sincerely grateful to her for this opportunity. The preparation is meticulous and profound; Ms Asylmuratova pays attention to every gesture and detail, working not only on technique but on the character and the form of movement, explaining the purpose behind every look, breath, or gesture. This helps me understand the role better and feel it from within,” says Torgyn Leben. “Working on the fluidity of the arms for Odette is a daily labour. Of course, it is not always possible to make the arms completely soft and ‘bird-like’, but I strive for this, focusing on the coordination of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist so that the movements are seamless and flowing. At the same time, it is vital to maintain the classical form so that the lines remain beautiful and correct,” the dancer added.
Regarding the development of her partnership with principal dancer Dias Kurmangazy, Torgyn believes that a duet in Swan Lake is impossible without absolute trust. “It is not just physical support, but an emotional partnership – it is very important to feel one another. When there is trust, it becomes possible to focus on the character and the interaction rather than just the technique. I am very lucky with my partner; he is experienced, attentive, and working with him is a complete pleasure,” she says.
Torgyn Leben notes that she finds the character deeply relatable. “Odette is the embodiment of inner strength hidden behind fragility. I am still searching for my own intonation, but there are already moments when I feel I understand the heroine’s character. I like the sense of softness, the slightly detached gaze, and the internal tension between fear and hope – that is what I believe makes Odette feel alive and real,” the ballerina shares. “Beyond rehearsals in the studio, I am in a constant search for interpretation, independently analysing the music, observing my own internal state and watching recordings of various performances of Odette. Not to copy them, but to understand how differently the same character can resonate. It is important to me to preserve my individuality and find my own voice in this part, living it through myself,” the dancer concluded.
While Torgyn Leben is set to embody tenderness, her colleague Kamila Shakhmanova is tasked with reflecting the deceit and brilliance of the Black Swan. For the performer, this will be another significant milestone following her successful debut earlier this season as Maria in Asafiev’s The Fountain of Bakhchisarai.
“Odile is incredibly captivating in her expressiveness. To understand her character, I immerse myself deeply in Tchaikovsky’s music – all the clues are inherent in it: imperiousness, guile and triumph. It is important for me to show the mesmerising power with which she conquers the Prince. Preparation is very intense, as every glance and turn of the head matters in this role,” said Kamila Shakhmanova. “I would also like to express my gratitude to Altynai Asylmuratova for the opportunity to try myself in this part, for her contribution to our work, the sharing of her own experience and for her support in helping me realise my dream.”
Alongside the talented debuting performers, the production will feature the opera house’s brilliant principal dancers: Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Aigerim Beketayeva and Sofiya Adilkhanova will present the role of Odette-Odile, while Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerkin Rakhmatullayev and Dias Kurmangazy will take the stage as the noble Prince Siegfried. Conducting the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra is Arman Urazgaliyev. Notably, the current season marks the 15th anniversary of Aigerim Beketayeva’s artistic career. As the principal dancer admits, it was her performance of the leading role in Swan Lake that originally confirmed she had chosen the right path.
Performances of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece at the start of the year have become a cherished tradition for the opera house. It is worth noting that the premiere of this specific stage version took place in 2017 during a tour to Oman. People’s Artist of Russia Altynai Asylmuratova, whose own performance as Odette-Odile was once applauded on the world’s leading stage venues, has infused her production with invaluable experience and a deep understanding of the classics, preserving historical grandeur while keeping it vibrant and relevant. The production consistently attracts capacity audiences, earning high praise from domestic and international experts and critics, and was enthusiastically received by audiences in Spain and Italy during the company’s European tour.
Performances begin at 19:00 on 16 January, and at 17:00 on 17 and 18 January.
