Birzhan – Sara

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL “OPERALIA”

Mukan Tulebayev

Birzhan – Sara

Opera in two acts

Performed in Kazakh

(accompanied by synchronised supertitles in Russian and English)

Libretto by Kazhym Jumaliyev

NEW MUSICAL AND SCENIC VERSION

The new musical and scenic version of Mukan Tulebayev's opera Birzhan – Sara, which has become a reference work, a kind of 'visiting card' of the national art, will be presented on the main stage of the Astana Opera House.

Director Askhat Mayemirov, Consulting Director Mikhail Pandzhavidze and Conductor Abzal Mukhitdin offer a new reading of Kazakh classics, by challenging perception stereotypes of the character traits of some heroes.

The very first scene of the fair will capture the audience’s imagination: there are talented folk artisans, craftsmen, brisk merchants, eagle hunters riding horses and deft tightrope walkers! Thanks to 3D technology, pictures of nature and daily routine will come to life. Bright costumes, video installations by the Italian expert Sergio Metalli, and most importantly – magnificent music, soloists’ beautiful voices and harmonious sound of the orchestra promise an unforgettable experience to the public.

ROLES AND PERFORMERS:

Birzhan –             Meir BAINESH, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Sara –                  Bibigul ZHANUZAK, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Zhanbota –          Zhanat SHYBYKBAYEV, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Analyk –              Gulzhanat SAPAKOVA

Altynai –             Madina ISLAMOVA

Zhienkul –           Rasul ZHARMAGAMBETOV, laureate of the State Youth Prize “Daryn”

Kozhagul –          Shyngys RASYLKHAN

Serik –                 Arthur GABDIYEV

Yestai –               Talgat ALLABIRINOV

ORCHESTRA, CHORUS, BALLET AND EXTRAS OF THE ASTANA OPERA HOUSE

PRODUCTION GROUP:

Music Director and Conductor – Abzal Mukhitdin, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Conductor – Ruslan Baimurzin

Producer – Askhat Mayemirov, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Consulting Director – Mikhail Pandzhavidze, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Tatarstan

Set Designers – Sofia Tasmagambetova, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan / Pavel Dragunov, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Chief Chorus Master – Yerzhan Dautov, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Choreographer – Mukaram Avakhri, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Projection Designer – Sergio Metalli

Lighting Designer – Jacopo Pantani

Assistant Producer – Yerenbak Toikenov

Please note: there are animals (a horse) in the performance

Tickets purchased at the Astana Opera are exchangeable and refundable only in cases of cancelled or postponed performances. In all other cases, no refunds and exchanges are possible.