The Astana Ballet Theatre has prepared a bright program for the capital audience – the evening of one-act ballets, which will be held on November 4 and 5. Admirers of choreographic art will be presented with interesting and intriguing productions: the legendary “Carmen Suite” ballet by Alberto Alonso, themed on Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” opera, and “A Fuego Lento” by choreographer Ricardo Amarante.
In the first part of the evening, the capital audience will have a chance to enjoy the brightest premiere of the anniversary season of the theatre — the “Carmen Suite” ballet. The idea of the performance, which is today recognized as a masterpiece of the XX century choreography, belonged to the legendary ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, who for many years dreamed of embodying the image of Carmen in dance. Maya Plisetskaya attracted the Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonso to the production, and after unsuccessful search for a composer who would create music for this ballet, she turned to her husband, Rodion Shchedrin. Due to Shchedrin’s transcription, an integral and powerful piece of music was composed, in which the emotionality, the bitterness of conflicts, and the drama of the famous plot are most concentrated and vividly reflected.
As noted by Nurlan Kanetov, the artistic director of the theatre, Astana Ballet has long wished to stage “Carmen Suite”.
- This is a brilliant ballet, which has a worldwide success, and we considered it important to have such performance in the repertoire. At the same time, it is anti-classical, as it has always been called: there is angularity, uncharacteristic for classical ballet, positions are not turned out, and angles are sharp. I formerly danced this performance myself and I understand perfectly well what professional growth a role from it can provide. Regarding the performer of the main role, she was selected by temperament: the image of Carmen is the personification of passion, female irresistibility, and independence.
The plot of the ballet focuses on tragic fate of a gypsy woman Carmen and the soldier Jose who loved her, and whom Carmen leaves for the young Torero. The relationship of characters and death of Carmen at the hands of Jose are predestined by Fate. Thus, the story of Carmen (in comparison with the literary source and Bizet’s opera) is solved in a symbolic way, which is emphasized by the unity of the place of action (a bullfighting arena).
The vivid individuality of the performers, the daring of character and daring of plastique, the passion of nature and musical precision, the challenge for love and the challenge for choreographic canons – all these are about the “Carmen Suite” performance.
The second part of the evening will feature the neoclassical ballet “A Fuego Lento” by Ricardo Amarante. According to the Astana Ballet Theatre, this is a bright dynamic performance with expressive plastique staged to the original music by composers Lalo Schifrin, Astor Piazzolla, Carlos Gardel, and Sayo Kosugi.
This ballet is equally loved by both performers and the audience for its unstoppable energy and charisma. “A Fuego Lento” is included in the program of each tour of the theatre: it was presented on the stage of the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden (London), Lincoln Center (New York), Grimaldi Forum Monaco (Monte Carlo), etc. Temperamental and exciting tango melodies sharpen all emotions and forever remain in the hearts of the audience.
The event will be held with the assistance of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.