The repertoire of "Astana Ballet" will be supplemented by another expressive performance by a national choreographer. The premiere of ballet "Salome" based on the play of the same name by Oskar Wilde will be shown on February 16 and 17, 2018.
The author of artistic concept and choreography is the honored worker of Kazakhstan Mukaram Avakhri. Scenography and costumes - Olga Shaishmelashvili. Light designer - Denis Solntsev. Assistant choreographer - Aizhan Zhunusova.
"There are only two real tragedies in life: the first - when you do not get what you want, and the second - when you get" - Oscar Wilde expressed about human nature in one of his brilliant statements. Being a great connoisseur of human souls, he transformed the ancient biblical legend of King Herod’s stepdaughter, Salome, into an intellectual and breathtaking drama about temptation. According to the original plot, the Jewish princess deceives her stepfather, performing the dance of Seven Veils, and, by her mother’s order, demands the head of the prophet John as a reward. Wilde added a new detail to the story: Salome falls in love with the prophet, and, seized with passion, thirsts his kiss. Remaining indifferent to the young virgin’s impulse, the saint brings an irresistible desire in her heart to know the feeling of love at any cost. Such a desire for the unattainable always ends in tragedy, both for the madman and for others.
This interpretation, unexpected and shocking, inspired the choreographer to create the performance. Choreographically, the ballet was presented in the style of graphic plastics with elements of orientalism, while using a variety of performing techniques: dance on pointes and barefoot.
"The most important thing for me was to make an attempt to plunge into the element of human feelings and desires. I would like to create an aesthetic dance, but born primarily from an inner impulse. Therefore, apart from the unity of music, movements, emotions, it was necessary to achieve full mutual understanding with the artists, which eventually happened to my delight," the choreographer Mukaram Avakhri says.
According to Farkhad Buriyev, the leading soloist of the theater, who plays the role of the prophet John, the audience should not understand the story of "Salome", how everyone knows it. In the choreography by Mukaram Avakhri, the performance assumes a modern, dynamic and sensual color. Contrast images of the protagonists will enable the viewer to open the veil of mystery of the human soul and, perhaps, to find out themselves there...
"In the process of work, the choreographer brings the artists to the conceived thought, but at the same time she does not disclose the idea completely, thereby allowing each artist to recognize their hero on their own. This is the power of art,” she said.
The musical design of the ballet is the violin concert of the modern Turkish composer Fazil Say, who combines academic traditions with characteristic oriental motifs in many respects. According to the critic Julian Haylock, the result was nothing more than a sensation," fascinating in the game of seductive sensuality and rhythmic charm."
"In this performance I want the artists to feel themselves freely. I do not focus on choreography, but more on expression, energy and a burst of emotion. Because music gives impetus, revealing the opportunities of human potential," the author of the choreography says.
A common visual concept is defined by minimalism and monochrome design. The machinery and protruding parts of the scene line up a vertical structure, which the author metaphorically uses to depict the division of society. The light solution intensifies the conflict of action and gradually builds up tension: premonition of threat is clearly felt in the air.
All the artists of the troupe are involved in the production. The soloists and the corps de ballet are in constant contact interaction. The performance is created in such a way that the effect of presence "here and now" allows the public to experience bright and unforgettable emotions.
Culmination of the performance will be the dance of young Salome - an episode of extraordinary popularity thanks to the artists, sculptors and composers, who embodied it in their creations.
"For me, Salome is a very complex character. The incarnation of beauty and passion, she does not let anyone get close to herself. At the same time, the seductive young beauty has a very strong and willed character and a vulnerable soul. Day by day, we are more and more approaching the artistic task of sensing and conveying a hint of unusual beauty," the soloist of the theater, who plays the role of Salome, Darina Kayrasheva emphasized.
Also at the press conference it was noted, that the first part of the evening will show one-act ballet "Gaia" by choreographer Ricardo Amarante to the music of H. Tavares – a heartfelt beautiful story about a struggle and unity of five elements of nature. "If "Salome" is ecstasy, then "Gaia" is a mirage, which reveals a personality in each actress," the participants noted.
"In addition to the performance "Salome", we plan to make several full-length canvas, I will not disclose it for now. We have cooperation with the famous American choreographer Nicolo Fonte ahead. International ballet festival "Eurasian dance festival", a tour abroad, tours to the cities of Kyzylorda, Aktau, Taldykorgan and Almaty are to be held. They will be dedicated to the 20th anniversary of our capital city," director of “Astana Ballet” Theater Valeriy Kuzembayev shared his plans.