The premieres of the ballet fairy tale "Cinderella" to the music of Sergei Prokofiev took place last weekend at the Astana Ballet Theater, . The real magic was happening on the stage all three days, and enthusiasm and stormy applause in the auditorium. The premiere was long-awaited: there were many people wishing to attend the performance, so Cinderella will go to the ball more than once, but yet in January next year.
Prokofiev’s ballet is usually considered as a good children's tale about rewarded goodness. This is how she got her first incarnation on the Kazakhstan ballet stage. The story of Charles Perrault, which formed the basis of the plot, seems like it had only been created for ballet: it has a place for marvelous transformations, a court ball and the triumph of goodness.
Choreographer Nadezhda Kalinina created a wonderful family performance, flavored with sparkling humor. The characteristic style of the choreographer, which combines several dance styles and techniques, was welcomed by the metropolitan audience. Spectators was also amazed and delighted by the decoration of the scene, where interior items and 3D video art are combined. The flight of imagination of the artist Sergei Novikov led to the creation of stunning scenery: books, a carriage balloon, shining butterflies; and colorful costumes, the creation of which required the painstaking work of masters, complete the thoughtful visual design of the performance.
The orchestra conducted by maestro Arman Urazgaliyev, who has mastered the complex and mysterious score with dignity, sounds just as magical and festive.
“Cinderella”, for everything else, is rich with a variety of characters. The main character performed by Tatyana Ten and Nazerka Aimukhametova is a creature unearthly, ephemeral. Ballerinas performed variations with ease and grace, without leaving the stage throughout the performance.
The prince performed by Kazbek Akhmedyarov and Sundet Sultanov is lively, mischievous and beautiful. Unrestrained in jumping and pirouettes, accurate in acting.
The stepmother (Aizhan Mukatova, Angsagan Kobentai) deservedly provoked an enthusiastic reaction from the audience. She is a harmful woman, but thanks to her acting talent and the image conceived by the choreographer, she turned out to be incredibly charismatic. Her daughters - Puckish (Anar Dukiyeva, Ainur Abilgazina) and Drama queen (Diana Batyrova, Dilara Shomayeva) play pranks on the stage, tune Cinderella and try to attract the Prince in crazy dances. Funny and self-righteous - the ballerinas managed to completely get into the desired image. With the naked eye it was noticeable how much pleasure artists get from their parties - lively, sincere and memorable.
The performance leaves behind the warmest feelings: the joy of meeting with long-known heroes, faith in a real miracle and a happy ending, even if the chimes strike midnight.
By the way, soon the ballet "Cinderella" will be seen in other cities of Kazakhstan: on February 20, 22 and 23 the theater will tour in Almaty on the stage of the GATOB named after Abay.