The Astana Ballet tour took place in Switzerland with great success. For three days, from December 15 to 17, artists of the capital's theater presented Kazakhstani ballet art on the stage of the cultural center of Geneva Batiment des Forces Motrices. All tour performances were sold out, the audience did not hold back their emotions and saw off the artists with loud applause and shouts of “bravo,” calling for encores over and over again.
“The purpose of art is to be understood and heard, we are entirely aimed at the hearts of the audience, and we are doubly pleased when there is a return, when a dialogue is built, so we always try to take into account the taste and mentality of the inhabitants of the country where we go on tour. We brought an extensive program: classics, modern author’s ballet, and, of course, our calling card “Heritage of the Great Steppe” - a kind of synthesis of modern and neoclassical choreography with folklore. In this sense, our theater is diligently searching and continues research in the field of choreography and artistic representation,” noted theater director Alexander Sovostyanov.
Acquaintance with the troupe began with the legendary ballet “Carmen Suite” by A. Alonso to the music of Georges Bizet-Rodion Shchedrin and the mystical play “Arcanas of Fate” choreographed by the chief choreographer of the Astana Ballet theater Mukaram Abubakhriev to the music and libretto of the famous Kazakh singer Karina Abdullina. The screenings were accompanied by the theater's symphony orchestra under the direction of maestro Arman Urazgaliev.
“I am a big fan of the Astana Ballet theater; I always visit it when I’m in Astana. And it was a big surprise for me that the theater was coming to Geneva. For me, this is the biggest gift for the New Year holidays. Thanks to the entire team, who gave us, the audience, a fabulous and at the same time sensual mood, because Carmen is about feelings, passion, and I really let it all through myself,” spectator Diana Alpysbaeva shared her emotions.
Throughout the tour, the Astana Ballet team demonstrated its skills on stage, winning the hearts of the audience with its professionalism and performing skills. And one of the brightest moments was the final day, when the theater’s calling card was presented - the national gala concert “Heritage of the Great Steppe” choreographed by Aigul Tati, which included the most colorful examples of Kazakh folk dance. The Geneva public appreciated the sound of national music, vivid artistic images and expressive choreography.
“Honestly, this is a pleasant surprise for me, it so happened that during my professional career I had the opportunity to attend ballet in many countries of the world - New York, Paris, Milan, Moscow. Here in Switzerland I had the opportunity to see troupes of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters, the Eifman Theater and many others. Ballet is very close to me, it is part of my inner world, and that’s why today I was bursting with feelings. At some point, I even looked into the orchestra pit, because it seemed to me that the orchestra sounded too balanced, as if it were a soundtrack, but it was really pure live sound, everything went flawlessly. The level of performance of orchestra and ballet artists evokes admiration and pride. I would like to wish you creative success, new platforms, it seems to me that large audiences in all countries of the world will be happy to get acquainted with the work of the young team. On behalf of all Kazakhstanis in Switzerland, I would like to say a big thank you and wish you success,” Aidar Shayakhmetov.
According to the artists, the rich and complex program, active tour schedule, and daily performances turned out to be a difficult test, but inspired them to conquer new heights.
“I think that such cultural exchange is an important step in strengthening international ties. In addition, touring is important because we, artists, feel that we are in demand abroad, that we not only inspire the audience, but that during such trips we ourselves are inspired. After all, when you perform on the world stage and get acquainted with another culture, it is incredibly enriching,” shared the leading soloist of the theater Ainur Abilgazina.
“The performance in Geneva not only showed the highest level of professionalism of our team, but also became a vivid example of the fact that art can become a universal language that unites people from different countries and cultures,” added Aigul Tati.
The tour took place with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.