Theaters and cultural life of Almaty -
Repertoire of theaters in Almaty and Kazakhstan -
The Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theater named Abai is not just a cultural center of Almaty, but a real symbol of Kazakh art, which unites history, traditions and international recognition. Its history began in 1934, when a musical theater was opened in Almaty, which became the cradle of Kazakh professional opera and ballet. A few years later, he gained the status of the leading stage of the republic, and in 1945 he received the name of the great poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev, whose work became the spiritual foundation of national culture. The theater building, built in 1951, impresses with its architecture: a monumental Stalinist empire with Kazakh ornamental motifs, tall columns, sculptures of musicians and dancers on the facade, and inside there are luxurious interiors with crystal chandeliers, painted ceiling lights and an auditorium with 1,200 seats, where time seems to stop. If you decide to take a walk after visiting the theater, you can walk along Panfilov pedestrian street or relax and sit on a bench in the cozy square adjacent to the theater, which surrounds the theater on both sides. The famous Nedelka Fountain and the Almaty Hotel are also located here.
How to get there and visit -
Abai Kazakh Opera and Ballet Theater named after Abai is located at 110 Kabanbai Batyr Street, Almaly district, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°14'55"N 76°56'44"E
Working hours: Monday-Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
Contacts: + 7 727 272 79 34 (cash register); + 7 727 272 79 63 (administration)
Information -
The building of the Abai Opera and Ballet Theater was built in 1941-1944 and is considered an architectural masterpiece. Its design was developed by architects N. Prokopyev, T. Basenov and N. Mordvinov. The facade is decorated with massive columns and national ornaments, which are harmoniously combined with the classical style. The interior of the theater is a combination of Oriental sophistication and European grandeur: marble halls, exquisite chandeliers, carved ceilings and carpets, reminiscent of the rich culture of the Kazakh people. The auditorium is designed for about 1,200 seats and has excellent acoustics that meet the best international standards. Today, the theater continues to develop, maintaining the status of the main opera and ballet scene in Kazakhstan. His repertoire includes classical masterpieces by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Puccini, as well as national productions and modern works. The theater is actively touring: its artists have performed in France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Germany and other countries, representing Kazakhstan on a global level.
The first productions -
It was on this stage that the works that have gone down in history were performed for the first time. In 1934, the premiere of the first Kazakh opera "Kyz Zhibek" by E. Brusilovsky, written on the basis of a folk epic, took place. A few years later, the audience saw "Er Targyn" (1937), also created by Brusilovsky. These productions have become a real event for the country, because for the first time they combined European forms of opera with national melodies and folklore.
A special place is occupied by the opera "Abai" (1944) by the composers Akhmet Zhubanov and Latyp Hamidi. She became the pinnacle of national musical art: the image of a great poet and thinker, whose word was a symbol of truth and freedom, came to life in her. This opera still remains the hallmark of the theater and one of the most significant works of Kazakh culture.
Ballet group -
The ballet troupe of the theater began its journey in 1938. The first production was Tchaikovsky's immortal ballet Swan Lake. From that moment on, ballet took its rightful place in the repertoire of the theater and began to develop rapidly. Already in the pre-war years, not only classical European ballets were staged here, but also works based on national themes.
In the 1950s and 1970s, the Kazakh ballet achieved international recognition. Productions of "Karakoz", "Koblandy", "Daughter of the Steppes" and "Gakku" have become symbols of the national dance art. They were distinguished by a special plasticity of movements, which combined the European school and Kazakh dance traditions.
The ballet troupe of the theater actively toured: The artists performed in Moscow, Leningrad, Tashkent, and later in Europe and Asia. Thanks to their skill, the name of Kazakhstan sounded on the world stages.
Legendary theater stars -
The stage of the Abai Theater has given the world many outstanding artists who have become the pride of the whole country.
• Kulyash Bayseitova is a great Kazakh singer, the owner of a voice of the rarest beauty. She was called the "Kazakh Joan of Arc" for her ability to express the strength and spirit of the people through art.
• Bibigul Tulegenova is a People's Artist of the USSR, a soloist with an amazing timbre of voice, who conquered the scenes of the world from Moscow to Milan.
• Yermek Serkebayev is a world–class baritone, winner of many international awards, and one of those who opened the Kazakh vocal school to the world.
• Alibek Dnishev is a tenor with a unique style of performance, whose name has forever entered the history of Kazakh and world opera.
• Such artists as Zaui Rakisheva, Raushan Bayseitova, Galiya Ismailova, who became the primates of the national stage, shone in the ballet.
These names are written in golden letters in the history of the theater, and their art still inspires new generations of artists.
Repertoire -
The theater's repertoire is a unique fusion of world classics and national works. The operas "Abai" by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latyf Khamidi, "Birzhan and Sarah" by Mukan Tulebayev, which have become cultural treasures of Kazakhstan, as well as world masterpieces such as "Carmen", "La Traviata", "Eugene Onegin", are performed here. The ballet company shines in "Swan Lake", "Giselle", as well as in productions based on the Kazakh epic, such as "Koktem" by L. Hamidi. The theater has brought up a galaxy of stars: legendary singer Kulyash Bayseitova, opera baritone Ermek Serkebaev, the inimitable Bibigul Tulegenova, ballerinas Gulzhan Tutkibaeva and many others. Their names are forever inscribed in the history of not only Kazakh, but also world art.
The Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theater is not just a stage, but the heart of the country's cultural life. Its walls preserve the breath of history, the first steps of national art and the triumphs of great masters. Here, under the arches of the majestic hall, legends come to life, voices that touch the soul, and dances that can take the viewer into the world of beauty and harmony. The Abai Theater is the pride of Kazakhstan, a symbol of its spiritual wealth and striving for greatness, which shines in the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau, like a cultural beacon illuminating the way to the future.
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