On 27 and 28 March, the premiere of Bolero X, a modern ballet choreographed by the renowned Israeli choreographer Shahar Binyamini and based on the legendary score by Maurice Ravel, took place at the Astana Ballet Theatre.
“Bolero X” became more than an illustration of famous music. It was a profound choreographic reinterpretation. Renowned for its mesmerising rhythm and relentless escalation of tension, Ravel’s score, as choreographed by Binyamini, evolved into a potent theatrical ritual, where movement, repetition, and collective energy served as the primary means of expression.
The performance centred on a large-scale choreography created for an ensemble of around 50 dancers. Rather than the more common solo focus, the choreographer used the collective as a single organism. The performance explored themes of unity, collective identity, and individual-group interaction through repetitive structures, waves of movement, and constant changes in group dynamics. The dancers’ bodies became a natural extension of the musical rhythm, turning the stage into a space of shared breathing and escalating physical intensity.
The choreography evolved in tandem with the musical form of “Boléro”: starting restrained and building to a powerful culmination where visual and kinetic density reached their maximum. The repetition in this piece was not mechanical, but rather imbued with meaning, serving to unveil the philosophical and emotional dimensions of the work.
The letter “X” in the name of the performance had a symbolic meaning. It was interpreted as a multiplication sign representing the intersection points – the places where the past and present, the individual and the collective, and music and movement converge. “Bolero X” has become a space of dialogue between classical musical heritage and modern bodily thinking.
The performance received significant international recognition, becoming a worldwide sensation. “Bolero X” has been performed on the most prominent stages in Europe, North America and Asia. It has been staged for eminent dance companies, including BalletBC, and has also been realised in collaboration with respected educational institutions such as Tanz Akademie Zurich. The production was frequently included in the mixed programs of modern and ballet seasons, and was performed both to a soundtrack and accompanied by live music.
“The artists of the Astana Ballet are simply incredible. Their technique, flexibility and physical capabilities are astonishing. Their bodies seem to have an innate understanding of ballet, making for a truly captivating performance. They have so much potential and so many opportunities, perhaps some of which they have not even thought about. I count myself very fortunate to be working alongside such talented and capable artists. My goal is to open new doors and introduce new ideas and ways of moving for them. It is not only about the physics of the body and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, but also about revealing their consciousness: how they approach movement from a deeper inner state, and not just as a set of steps,” said assistant choreographer Joseph Kudra.
Shahar Binyamini is one of the most notable modern dance choreographers, renowned for his high-impact works which balance emotional depth and physical intensity with a strong visual language. He creates works for the world’s leading collectives, which are distinguished by their scale and philosophical depth. “Bolero X” is widely regarded as one of the most significant productions of his work, playing a pivotal role in consolidating his global reputation.
The production was accompanied by the Astana Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chief Conductor Arman Urazgaliyev.
As part of the events, the ballet “Orpheus and Eurydice” was also presented to the audience, complementing the evening programme and expanding the theatre’s artistic repertoire.
The premiere of “Bolero X” at the Astana Ballet Theatre represented a significant event in the cultural life of the capital, showcasing to the audience one of the most striking and radical examples of modern ballet being performed on the global stage.
The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.