The State Academic Concert Organization “Kazakhconcert” named after Roza Baglanova has opened its 66th concert season. This year’s opening was dedicated to the 120th anniversaries of outstanding representatives of Kazakh professional musical art — composers Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi.

The evening’s program brought together national music, opera, traditional songs and kuis, as well as classical and popular music. The concert opened with the “Dance Suite” from the opera Abai by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi, performed by the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra. The program also featured a medley of Kazakh operas, as well as Altyn Arka, An Shashu, Zaman, Saryarka, Karlygash, and other compositions.

The opening concert featured the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, the Kazakh State Folklore Ensemble “Astana Sazy,” the National Center of Arts “Halyk Kazynasy,” the G-band group, the “Birlik” Dance Ensemble, and other “Kazakhconcert” artistic groups.

Artists from the Almaty branch of “Kazakhconcert” also traveled specially from Almaty to take part in the season opening, including People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Altynbek Korazbayev, Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Aizhan Nurmagambetova, and Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Zhanna Orynbassarova.

The stage also welcomed renowned masters of the arts, winners of state and international awards, as well as young performers, including Medet Chotabayev, Serik Yerkimbekov, Aigul Yelshaibayeva, Aizada Kaponova, Aizat Karabek, Azat Malik, and other artists.

The concert concluded with the song “Ademi-au” by Eskendir Khasangaliev, performed by all the participants. Flowers were presented to the artists on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During its 66th concert season, “Kazakhconcert” will present new projects in the fields of traditional music, popular music, classical and theatrical arts. The program will include anniversary evenings marking the 180th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev and the 165th anniversary of Dina Nurpeisova, as well as events dedicated to the 120th anniversaries of Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi.

A concert program titled “Bizdin Zharmenke” will be held to mark Republic Day, while the State Theatre “Astana Musical” will present the premieres of two new productions.

A separate focus of the new season will be the promotion of Kazakhstan’s national musical heritage. The National Center of Arts “Halyk Kazynasy” will launch a series of concert programs dedicated to traditional songs, kuis, zhyraus, and dastans from different regions of Kazakhstan.

In the second half of the season, the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra will present a series of subscription concerts featuring works of world classical music, including special programs for children.