- The new season will be Astana Opera's 10th Anniversary. The largest opera 
house in Central Asia was launched in 2013 and occupies a leading position in 
Eurasia. The grand season opening is scheduled for September 9th. Astana 
Opera's principal conductor Alan Buribayev will conduct a Gala Opera featuring 
world stars.

"Our tenth anniversary season will start with Gala Opera featuring Korean 
singer, Grammy winner Sumi Jo, and a few important premieres. We are preparing 
a contemporary production of Prokofiev's Cinderella, staged by German 
choreographer Raimondo Rebeck. A premiere of Balnur Kydyrbek's Kazakh opera 
Qalqaman and Mamyr is expected. Jioi Kylian's ballet Sechs Tanze, recently 
added to the repertoire, will be featured. All of the productions are presented 
at a high level and sought-after in Kazakhstan," Galym Akhmedyarov, Astana 
Opera's general director, said.

Each event represents a separate bright page in the opera house's annals. One 
of them is a large-scale World Tour in five countries: the USA, Canada, France, 
Belgium, the Netherlands. The company has repeatedly performed on tour in 
Italy, Spain, China, Oman and other countries. Many people remember Astana 
Opera's performances at the EXPO-2017 that took place in Kazakhstan. Within its 
framework, the 25th Placido Domingo's Operalia, The World Opera Competition was 
held at Astana Opera. The audience was impressed by the Kazakhstani premiere of 
Mahler's Symphony No. 8 performed by 1,200 musicians. Mezzo TV broadcast the 
recording of this concert this year. Teatro alla Scala, Teatro di San Carlo, 
Teatro Carlo Felice, Paris Opera Ballet and many others toured at Astana Opera.

The opera house is actively working in various areas: the Astana Opera 
International Opera Academy, which trains singers not only for Kazakh opera 
houses, but also for foreign countries, has been established. Astana Opera 
operates a children's studio with choir, ballet and theatrical crafts 
departments. The Piccolo Theatre project with opera buffa performances was 
launched a few years ago at the Chamber Hall. The ballet company's artistic 
director Altynai Asylmuratova added ballets such as Petit's Notre Dame de 
Paris, MacMillan's Manon and others to the repertoire. Principal dancers like 
Bakhiyar Adamzhan perform at top international venues.

Astana Opera is one of the global projects that is associated with the new 
capital and reflects the colossal positive changes that have taken place over 
the years in Kazakhstan.

Source: Astana Opera