The ballet troupe of Astana Opera is preparing for a tour to St. Petersburg, where they will stage Notre Dame de Paris at the Mariinsky Theatre beginning of February. Astana Opera artists have already presented ‘Birzhan-Sara’ opera by Mukan Tulebaev and "Attila" opera by Giuseppe Verdi as well as a gala-ballet concert on the famous stage in St. Petersburg. This time they will present a large-scale ballet staged by the legendary French choreographer Roland Petit. This will be neoclassical interpretation of the 1965 Paris Opera production. Even the tiniest details will be taken into account, such as extravagant costumes by Yves Saint Laurent. Kazakh ballet dancers’ costumes were also prepared by French dressers.

ALTYNAI ASSYLMURATOVA, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BALLET TROUPE OF ASTANA OPERA:

Why ‘Notre Dame de Paris’? - because not every ballet troupe is able to perform such high-class ballet. This is a large-scale performance. Stage platforms move back and forth. The performance involves not only ballet dancers but also technical personnel, they are also on stage and they need to do everything synchronously. I saw the props and understood – that is what we need, it is going to be difficult but it will be a step forward and a new experience for the artists too.

The dancers say they feel a great responsibility performing at Russia’s cultural capital. After all, the ballet has been staged here for nearly 20 years, and in order to impress the local audience and conquer the stage of the famous Mariinsky Theatre, Astana Opera soloists and corps de ballet dancers are honing every move of the complex ballet day after day.

BAKHTIYAR ADAMZHAN, LEADING SOLOIST, ASTANA OPERA:

I hope that the tour will be a success and the spectators will warmly welcome us. We are preparing very hard, tirelessly. We are 100% dedicated to perform well and show the high level of the Kazakh ballet.

AIGERIM BEKETAYEVA, LEADING SOLOIST, ASTANA OPERA:

I can relate to my character in the ballet. We have been preparing for nearly 2 months. The music is very interesting and complicated therefore the moves need to be sharp. There lots of abrupt transitions, it is a very dramatic ballet.

Two sets of dancers will perform during the ballet. Rustem Seytbekov and the Bakhtiar Adamzhan will perform Quasimodo’s part. Madina Basbaeva and Aigerim Beketayeva will portray Esmaralda. In total, the tour involves 80 ballet dancers, the team of costumers, make-up artists, lighting designers, and stage mechanics.