Two long-awaited premieres staged by modern young choreographers became one of the main events of the X anniversary season for the Astana Ballet Theatre and for all connoisseurs of high art in the capital: “Soli Deo Gloria” staged by Ainur Abilgazina to the music by Gustav Mahler and “Nine” staged by Olzhas Makhanbetaliyev to the music by Lisa Gerrard. The premiere shows on April 15 and 16 were a huge success, the audience warmly applauded their favourite dancers and the production group.
“The works by young choreographers, equally proficient in both classical and modern choreography, are completely independent productions in the style of choreographic miniatures, combining the Kazakhstani ballet school, international experience, and the search for original solutions. Seemingly different works echo each other, raising philosophical questions and issues that life itself poses to the modern spectator,” Nurlan Kanetov, the artistic director of the Astana Ballet Theatre, shared.
The first part of the evening featured the neoclassical ballet “Soli Deo Gloria” staged by the leading soloist of the theatre Ainur Abilgazina. The music by Gustav Mahler, one of the greatest conductors of his time, was brilliantly performed by the Symphony Orchestra of the Astana Ballet Theatre under the baton of conductor Elmar Buribayev. Talented figures of art took part in the creation of the production: the stage designer Zhandos Omarov, the costume designer Dariga Taishikova, the lighting designer Robert Dautov, and the video artist Marat Sagadinov.
On the first premiere day, the leading roles were performed by such dancers of the Astana Ballet Theatre as Anar Dukiyeva, Ivan Surodeyev, Kalamkas Orynbassarova, Baikhadam Tungatarov, Artur Edson, Milana Bukanova and Sundet Sultanov; on the second day - by Nazerke Aimukhametova, Aidan Kalzhan, Nathalia Menes, Nurzat Berikkazyuly, Erkanat Ermagambet, Milana Bukanova and Sundet Sultanov.
The evening ended with the premiere of the hypnotic production “Nine” choreographed by Olzhas Makhanbetaliyev to the music by Lisa Gerrard, a world-famous vocalist, a member of the legendary ethnic group “Dead Can Dance”. Dariga Taishikova is the costume designer, Alexey Markov is the lighting designer, and Marat Sagadinov is the video artist of that production.
In a good ballet, you forget what illustrates what, whether music illustrates choreography or vice versa, and in this case both types of art worked for a single idea. The enthusiasm of the performers, their inflamed eyes, and the impetuosity of plastique perfectly “embodied” the author’s idea.
The main roles were performed by Artur Edson, Baikhadam Tungatarov, Baurzhan Buranbayev, Kamila Rakhmanberliyeva, Aliya Aitbayeva, Akkali Turgali, Artemy Makarov, Shyngys Tolegen and Nurzat Berikkazyuly.
Throughout the whole evening, the ballet dancers fascinated the audience with emotions, grace, and flexibility. Each performance was accompanied by an individual musical composition, which helped to create the story and mood of the miniature. The original lighting solution and video projections emphasized every movement of the dancers and made the performances incredibly stylish.
The premieres were held with the assistance of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.