NUR-SULTAN – Astana Opera has introduced its May programme, which includes traditional classical music concerts as well as special events dedicated to holidays.
Photo Credit: voxpopuli.kz.
“From Seville to Naples” (7 p.m., May 3) is a concert of Spanish, French and Italian composers such as de Falla, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Massne and Seine. Honoured Workers of Kazakhstan Bibigul Zhanuzak and Azamat Zheltyrguz, Kurmet Order cavalier Aizada Kaponova and international competition laureates Yerulan Kamel and Saltanat Muratbekova will perform on the Chamber Hall stage. The piano portion will be played by international competition laureate Zhanar Akhmetova.
“Tango Project,” (6 p.m., May 5) will be presented by the instrumental ensemble “Art Contrast.” The group consists of Aigerim Mataeva (piano, France), Maria Orininskaya (violin, Austria), Tatiana Vitsinskaya (mezzo-soprano), Zhibek Sapargalieva (flute), Zhanibek Saparov (guitar), Sapar Kumyskaliev (bayan) and Adil Satybaldinov (contrabass). The evening will be highlighted with a dance performance by Anel Marabayeva and Evgeny Moiseyev. The night will include works of Astor Piazzolla, including Ave Maria, Fugata, Study No. 3, The History of Tango, Café 1930, El penultimo, Oblivion, Please, Gypsy Tango, The Same Pain, Escualo, Adios Nonino, La Muerte del Angel and Yo soy Maria; Los Mareados by Juan-Carlos Kobian and Tango by Carlos Gardel as arranged by John Williams for the film “The Scent of a Woman.”
Victory Is An Endangered Light, honouring May 9 Victory Day, will be presented 3 p.m. in the Chamber Hall. The concert will include popular wartime songs and tunes, as well as Kazakh, Russian and Western European classics performed by opera soloists, choir artists and orchestra.
International competition winners Ulpan Abdikarimova (soprano), Rosa Soltykhanova (flute), Manarbek Abaev (clarinet), Dinara Kalabaeva (piano) will take part in Let’s Open the Music of the Heart (7 p.m., May 19). The musicians will present a new reading of works by American and European composers, such as Sonata No. 1 for flute and piano by Evizen, Sonatina for flute and piano by Dutyue, Sonata for clarinet and piano by Poulenc, Starry Night, A Beautiful Evening by Debussy, German Songs op.37 L. Spur and Trio for flute, clarinet and piano by Manukyan.
The Great Names: J. Haydn, V.A. Mozart (7 p.m., May 23) will be presented by Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan Jannat Baktai, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Saltanat Akhmetova and 10th International Youth Competition winner Talgat Galeev. Akbike Algi (violin), Ross Clark (trumpet, Wales, United Kingdom), Astana Opera Theatre Children’s Studio directed by Altynganym Akhmetova and Astana Opera Chamber Orchestra conducted by Rakhimzhan Baspaev will also be part of the concert. Among the selected pieces are Concerto for piano and orchestra in D major and Symphony No. 104 in D major by Haydn, overture and Constanza from Abduction aria from the opera “Sérillale,” duo Zerlina and Don Juan from the opera “Don Juan” and Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 4 in D major, Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 23 in A major and Symphony No. 40 by Mozart.
Cello Evening (6 p.m., May 25) will showcase talents of Kazakh cellist Sania Durkeeva and her teacher, Swiss cellist and Zurich University of Arts professor Orfeo Mandozzi and the Astana Theatre Chamber Orchestra conducted by Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan maestro Abzal Mukhitdinov.
Melodía de la pasión (Melody of Passion, 7 p.m., May 28) will present well-known chamber works, such as Intermezzo from the opera “Goyeski” by E. Granados – G. Cassadó; Suite for cello and piano by Saint-Saëns; Prologue and Horse Race from the ballet “Anna Karenina” by R. Shchedrin – Pletneva and Etude for Guitar No. 11 in E Minor, Brazilian Bahai No. 5. Aria E. Villa-Lobos, “Meditacio” by Ma Ruer, “Denneriana” by André-Bloch, “Memoirs” by Cassadó. The pieces will be presented by international competition laureates Botagoz Kaliyeva (cello), Almaz Tokpanov (clarinet), Zhanibek Saparov (guitar) and Elmira Sultangazina (piano).
