WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN

On June 20 and 21, as part of the International Music Festival "Operalia" at the "Astana Opera" will host the premiere of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "Sleeping Beauty" - one of the most significant works in the history of world ballet. The new production is being created with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and promises to be not only a major artistic event, but also an act of cultural continuity.The choreographic version is being worked on by the artistic director of the theater's ballet troupe, People's Artist of Russia Altynai Asylmuratova.Her version of "Sleeping Beauty" is a tribute to the classics, born from a deep stage experience and personal history associated with this ballet. In her youth, Asylmuratova performed key roles in "Sleeping Beauty" on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater, and today, as a choreographer-director, she returns to the material with a new look, striving to preserve the aesthetics of the old school and at the same time make the production lively and modern.– This ballet is a real diamond in the crown of classical art, which combines the poetry of movement of Marius Petipa and the incredible musicality of Tchaikovsky. My task is not to reinvent it, but to hear and convey the meanings inherent in it, to make the performance more compact and dynamic, without losing its depth and traditions, - says Asylmuratova.Together with her, Honored Artist of Russia Konstantin Zaklinsky and Elena Sherstneva are working on the production - choreographers whose professional fate is also inextricably linked with this ballet. All of them in different years participated in landmark versions of "Sleeping Beauty", from the edition of Konstantin Sergeyev to the reconstruction of the original performance by Petipa under the direction of Sergei Vikharev.The musical part of the production is headed by conductor Arman Urazgaliev. The visual design is entrusted to a stellar international team: Riccardo Massironi became the production designer, Jacopo Pantani became the lighting designer, and the costumes were created based on sketches by the legendary Oscar winner Franka Squarciapino. More than 15 masters worked on their implementation, and as a result, about 400 costumes were created for three casts of artists.A special emotional note to the production is given by the dedication to the great set designer Ezio Frigerio - a friend of the theater and the author of dozens of performances in its repertoire. It was "Sleeping Beauty" that was supposed to be his last work: the sketches were approved during his lifetime, and his associate Riccardo Massironi completed the project.– We wanted to preserve the artistic fabric, the breath that Ezio and Franka Squarciapino put into the concept. This is not just a new production - it is our gratitude to the master who so generously shared his genius with us, - said Valter Carare, Deputy Director for Artistic and Production Affairs of the theater.In the main roles are the leading soloists of the troupe: Honored Workers of Kazakhstan Madina Unerbaeva (Princess Aurora) and Baktiyar Adamzhan (Prince Desire). On the second evening, these roles will be performed by Shugyla Adepkhan and Erkin Rahmatullaev.The ballet "Sleeping Beauty", which premiered in 1890 at the Mariinsky Theater, has become the gold standard of ballet art for more than a hundred years of its existence. In a new interpretation on the stage of the Astana Opera, it will once again sound like a hymn to goodness, love and eternal art, capable of awakening feelings even after a century of sleep.