The Limitless Power of Art

World ballet star, Astana Opera’s principal dancer, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, winner of numerous awards, including Grand Prix of prestigious international competitions, Bakhtiyar Adamzhan, and Astana Opera’s vibrant soloist Anastasia Zaklinskaya brilliantly performed at the anniversary gala concert of world ballet stars “Andris Liepa 6:0”. Performances at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre continued Bakhtiyar Adamzhan’s touring.

People’s Artist of Russia Andris Liepa’s anniversary evening took place with great success on March 1 at the State Kremlin Palace within the framework of the famous project “Autographs and Images”. The celebrated choreographer’s guest performers include the best dancers with the most colourful and unforgettable numbers.

Bakhtiyar Adamzhan and Anastasia Zaklinskaya, representing at the Moscow venue not only Astana Opera, but the entire Kazakhstan, were resplendent as the Golden Slave and Zobeide in the Adagio from the ballet Schéhérazade to Rimsky-Korsakov’s music, staged by Andris Liepa himself.

“The performance at the Kremlin was a celebration,” Astana Opera’s principal dancer shared. “It is a great honour for us that he chose our ballet company to show this famous adagio. Andris Liepa appreciated our efforts, noting that we are keeping up the high level of performing this number.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Liepa for the invitation to perform at his anniversary evening,” Anastasia Zaklinskaya noted. “The concert program was very rich and interesting. We were greeted warmly and we have only positive emotions from the performance.”

Bakhtiyar Adamzhan and Anastasia Zaklinskaya perform Schéhérazade from the very first days of the production appearing at Astana Opera’s billboards.

“We have developed a single pace, studied all the nuances, worked everything out to the smallest detail,” Adamzhan says. “My partner is ideally suited for the role of Zobeide – she is very beautiful and striking, and at the same time an excellent professional.”

Within the framework of this program, the principal dancer also magnificently performed the Pas de Deux from Adolphe Adam’s ballet Le Corsaire.

The Kazakh dancers’ performance certainly was a highlight of the ballet evening. Moscow’s sophisticated audience applauded our dancers.

Bakhtiyar Adamzhan’s performances at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre were no less successful. He has been working there as a guest principal soloist for half a year already. The viewers have fallen in love with him in Khachaturian’s Spartacus, Minkus’ Don Quixote and in the classical version of Minkus’ La Bayadère.

“This time, I performed Roland Petit’s Notre Dame de Paris to Maurice Jarre’s music and also the new to me version of La Bayadère staged by the Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato,” the performer emphasized. “His version of the ballet is modernized and significantly different to the one I know, which is why this was my debut in the new La Bayadère. I am grateful to the Novosibirsk theatre for giving me this experience.”

Bakhtiyar Adamzhan is one of the most celebrated Kazakh ballet dancers in the world today.

“I am very proud of the opportunity to perform at different venues, in gala concerts along with world ballet stars,” he emphasizes. “Getting to know the famous dancers is a great motivation for artistic growth, exchange of experience. At the same time, performing as a representative of not only our ballet company, but of the entire Kazakhstan, is a great responsibility, which I am aware of, and I try to worthily represent my country.”