The role of Mimi has accompanied Maria Mudryak for nearly a decade. The Kazakh soprano first performed the part in Italy at the age of 21, when she already had several initial roles and stage debuts behind her. Since then, Giacomo Puccini’s heroine has returned to her on various stages, in different productions and directorial interpretations—revealing new dimensions each time.

Today, Maria Mudryak admits that years later she perceives Mimi quite differently. If she once felt a special affinity for a simple, romantic girl who knew how to rejoice in small things, the singer now sees inner strength in this character above all else—a woman who wants to live and love.

On September 20, Maria Mudryak will once again perform the role of Mimi, this time on the stage of Astana Opera. For the singer, this will be another encounter with a heroine who occupies a special place in her creative biography.

"Yes, I made my debut in this role in Italy. I was 21 years old back then, and while I already had several different roles and debuts under my belt, Mimi has always been a special role for me. I think, first of all, because of Puccini's music and such a unique, very clear, and 'simple' heroine for me, who was still quite young at the time," Maria Mudryak shares. "Of course, performing it on numerous stages with different directors and in various productions, she was different... Now, ten years after my debut and with the benefit of life experience, I understand this heroine quite differently, and I want to make her more multifaceted. Yes, she is simple, romantic, and capable of appreciating and marveling at small things, but at the same time, she is strong. Above all, she is a woman who wants to live and love."

In addition to Maria Mudryak, the cast features leading opera soloists, the orchestra, choir, supernumeraries, and the theater's children's choir. The role of Mimi will be performed by Madina Islamova on September 19. Maria Mudryak notes with special warmth that creative dialogue with her colleagues at Astana Opera is always a source of inspiration for her.

"Working with my colleagues from Astana Opera is always a joy! We will be performing with Talgat Mussabayev—an artist and friend whom I deeply value and respect. Working with him is an absolute pleasure! Also with tenor Zhan Tapin, with whom we rehearsed the last Bohème, and I will be glad to sing together with him again!"

According to her conviction, creative dialogue is one of the main conditions for the success of any performance.

"Creative dialogue is everything to me! A performance is always a collective effort; absolutely everyone matters, and that very magic happens precisely when all of us live in unison on stage together. At Astana Opera, this is possible!" the singer believes.

Under the baton of music director and conductor Giuseppe Acquaviva, wearing costumes by Academy Award winner Franca Squarciapino, and illuminated by Vincenzo Raponi, this collective magic promises to deliver a brilliant opera evening to the capital's audience.

The opera's plot, adapted by Giacomo Puccini from Henri Murger’s novel Scenes of Bohemian Life, tells the story of poor yet creatively vibrant inhabitants of Paris: the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, and the philosopher Colline. Poverty is their constant companion, but it cannot eclipse the joy, poetry, and love that fill their everyday lives.

Composed in just eight months and first performed in 1896 under the baton of a young Arturo Toscanini, the music has captured millions of hearts ever since. In Astana Opera’s production, director Andrea Bernard, alongside set designer Ezio Frigerio, transformed the story into a grand visual event: multi-level sets, a train rolling onto the stage, and performers executing circus stunts during the holiday scene make the familiar opera vibrant and dynamic.

Audiences will have the opportunity to see La Bohème at Astana Opera on September 19 and 20. On the first evening, the role of Mimi will be performed by Madina Islamova, while on September 20, Maria Mudryak will step onto the capital's stage in one of her most cherished roles.

For the singer herself, this encounter with Puccini's heroine will be special: nearly a decade after her debut as Mimi, she returns to the role with completely different life and stage experience. Today, the singer sees her as more multifaceted—a fragile yet simultaneously strong woman who wants to live and love.

Performances begin at 5:00 PM.