Abay Theatre in Almaty opened its 93rd season on September 12 with the premiere of Akbala, a ballet inspired by Abdizhamil Nurpeisov’s Blood and Sweat trilogy.
Akbala’s story in music and movement
The two-act ballet follows Akbala’s life, love, motherhood and choices. The Aral Sea is an important part of its stage imagery: the receding sea and a changing way of life are woven into the production’s dramatic structure.
The production brings together the ballet company, a symphony orchestra, opera soloists and a choir. Its score also features the kyl-kobyz, a traditional Kazakh bowed string instrument.
Milana Rakhimbekova, Arkhat Ashirbek and Rustem Imangaliyev performed the principal roles at the premiere. Aruzhan Oktyabr composed the music and Shynar Omarova wrote the libretto. Arshak Galumyan choreographed the production, with stage design by Eleonora Peronetti.
A dedication to ballet masters
The production is dedicated to the memory of Lyudmila Rudakova and Eduard Malbekov, whose artistic and teaching careers were closely connected with Abay Theatre.
The theatre also presented its renovated interactive museum for the season opening. Its displays include materials about Kulyash Baiseitova, Shara Zhienkulova, Akhmet Zhubanov and other figures in Kazakhstan’s arts.
