Mysteries of the Ancient Pharaohs
Images | astanaopera.kz
The Astana Opera marked the Capital Day celebration with a large-scale production of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aida masterfully staged by the outstanding director and designer Franco Zeffirelli. The world opera masterpiece was presented at the opera house’s Grand Hall as part of the Operaliya International Festival on July 5 and 6, Astana Opera press office reports.
Aida in the playbill is always a great cultural event for the entire capital. The Astana Opera’s viewers had the opportunity to see Franco Zeffirelli’s outstanding production of Aida that at one time opened the theatrical season of the Teatro alla Scala and caused delight throughout the entire Europe.
On July 5 and 6, guest stars from different countries around the world took part in the festival, and Maestro Dian Tchobanov from Bulgaria cut a brilliant figure at the conductor’s stand on both days. The guest artists also included famous opera singers from Italy - tenor Diego Cavazzin, who performed the main male part of Radamès, and mezzo-soprano Isabel de Paoli, who took the stage as the proud Princess Amneris. The celebrated baritone from Mongolia, Badral Chuluunbaatar, masterfully portrayed Amonasro.
I first performed this part in 2019 at the Arena di Verona, and it became a golden key for me in the wonderful world of music, which also opened the doors of the new Astana Opera. I have a lot of friends and colleagues here. It so happened historically that our peoples have always been together, so it was a great honor for me to sing in front of the people of Kazakhstan. The warm welcome given to me today shows that the audience here is finely versed in classical music and in the highest quality productions. This is not my first performance on your stage: in 2021 I also took part in the opera Aida by the great stage director of all time, Franco Zeffirelli. As then, Amonasro is close to me in spirit, because I am also a warrior by nature," Badral Chuluunbaatar noted.
His colleague Diego Cavazzin also said backstage that it is a great pleasure for him to participate in this wonderful festival. "Aida is a very complex work, especially in technical terms. The opera requires deep study and colossal concentration to show the various emotions of the protagonist. During the performance, I always remember Maestro Muti, with whom I perfected all the nuances, preparing once for my debut. I remember many years ago, when I was just starting to study, I went to the Arena di Verona to listen to Il Trovatore staged by the great Franco Zeffirelli. I was so impressed by the production that I decided to pursue a career as a singer and one day I was able to work with this great genius. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to perform Aida on the day of your premiere in 2014, in your wonderful capital, but now it is a dream come true," Diego Cavazzin shared his emotions after the performance.
It was a great honor for me to present Amneris at an international festival of this magnitude. Amneris is the defining part for a dramatic mezzo-soprano. It is a combination of technical and interpretive complexities requiring the use of a wide vocal range. Her character is full of contrasting facets: she is strong and sometimes capricious, at the same time she has a tortured soul, madly in love with Radamès, but not receiving reciprocity from him. Amneris, along with several other roles in the mezzo-soprano repertoire, represents one of the most difficult parts ever conceived. It can only be taken up after a long process of learning and maturation. To perform Amneris in this historical production is a blessing. Created by the immeasurable genius of Franco Zeffirelli, this performance left an unsurpassed beauty and perfection mark in the treasury of world operas. Aida is a particularly precious gem... performing this opera is like an immersion in that reality, so far away, but at the same time so close. I am infinitely glad that I took part in it," Isabel de Paoli said.
Two hundred people were involved in the cult production - opera soloists, male and female choirs, ballet dancers, orchestra, supernumeraries. To imagine the scale of the work, we emphasize that the number of operating crew backstage is equal to the number of performers.
There were also debuts: the opera house’s principal soloist Aigul Niyazova took the Grand Hall stage for the first time in the title role of Aida. Principal soloist Talgat Galeyev made his debut as Amonasro, the opera soloist Galina Cheplakova as the High Priestess, and the Astana Opera International Opera Academy attendee Valeriy Selivanov as the King of Egypt.
Acclaimed Kazakh vocalists, the Astana Opera’s brilliant soloists Zhupar Gabdullina, Gulzhanat Sapakova, Yelena Ganzha, Sayan Issin, Bolat Yessimkhanov, Shyngys Rassylkhan, Ramzat Balakishiyev presented the heroes of the performance on these days. Principal choirmaster is Yerzhan Dautov, ballet master is Galiya Buribayeva, assistant directors are Natalya Kagadiy and Nikolai Kulikov, the opera company director is Azamat Zheltyrguzov.
As a reminder, the world opera masterpiece was presented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the Operaliya International Festival.
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relevant news
12 flights delayed in Astana due to bad weather
Astana International Airport announced the delay of several flights due to monster wind pounding the Kazakh capital, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Earlier this morning, 6 out of 80 departing flights and 6 out of 82 arriving flights have been delayed.
The following outbound flights have been delayed:
- FZ1304 Astana - Dubai
- TK357 Astana - Istanbul
- IQ353 Astana - Atyrau
- IQ437 Astana - Petropavlovsk
- KC7365 Astana - Oral
- DV479 Astana - Sanya
Four flights have been delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions in Astana.
The following inbound flights have been delayed:
- KC621 Almaty - Astana
- KC7316 Kyzylorda - Astana
- DV742 Aktau - Astana
- IQ354 Almaty - Astana
- KC7366 Oral - Astana
- IQ353 Almaty - Astana
One can find details about the status of flights and possible changes in the schedule on the official website of the Astana International Airport www.nn-airport.kz or contact a 24-hour call-center 8 (7172) 702-999.
Flight operations at the Astana International Airport have been disrupted due to adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and snowstorms since November 6.
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Over 40 kulans transported to Ile-Balkhash Reserve to restore species' population
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The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has successfully completed the next stage of the kulan reintroduction as part of the Turan tiger habitat restoration initiative. This month, more than 40 kulans were transported from Altyn Emel National Park to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. In 2022, as part of this initiative, the first 60 kulans were relocated and successfully adapted to their new environment, Kazinform News Agency cites the UNDP Kazakhstan press service.
The kulan disappeared from Kazakhstan in the 1930s. To restore the population of this species, a long-term reintroduction project was implemented in several stages. Between 1953 and 1961, 14 kulans were transported to Barsa-Kelmes Island from the Badkhyz Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan. When their population on the island reached 200, the next stage-moving them to the mainland-began. This is how the kulans ended up in Altyn Emel National Park, where the restored population has become one of the most successful cases in the world regarding the reintroduction of wild odd-toed ungulates and currently represents the largest free-ranging population of kulans.
Today, in South Balkhash, the initiative to reintroduce the Turan tiger is being implemented within the territory of the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve. In this context, extensive efforts are being made to create its food base, including the kulan reintroduction. The project is being implemented by UNDP and the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. As part of the project, in 2022, 60 kulans were transported.
The reintroduction of kulans from Altyn Emel State National Park to the Ile-Balkhash and Altyn Dala reserves is another step in the efforts of the Committee for the Conservation and Restoration of Biodiversity. The clear implementation of all scheduled action plans for the reintroduction of rare animal species, along with the support of our partners-UNDP and the Kazakhstan Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity-creates a robust basis for future environmental initiatives and the country’s achievements in restoring the ecosystem and returning lost biodiversity," noted Daniyar Turgambayev, Chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Reintroduction is not only a process of transportation but also involves diligent post-relocation care and monitoring of the animals. The Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve aims to provide care and feeding for the transported kulans for the next six months before they are released into the wild. In addition, as part of this initiative, three kulans were tagged with telemetry to further study their behavior in the wild.
We are proud that Kazakhstan is becoming an example of successful reintroduction of species on the brink of extinction. It requires joint efforts and accountability from all participants in the process, and we are pleased to cooperate with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan to achieve our common goal-restoration and conservation of the country's unique biological diversity," said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
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By Government decision, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi's mausoleum been placed under state protection
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Museum-reserve "Aziret Sultan" from now on will be under state protection. The corresponding decree was signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.
The famous historical monument mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassaui is the first Kazakhstani site included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and belongs to the unique monuments of medieval architecture.
Taking into account its significance and historical and cultural value, as well as in order to ensure its safety, the Government adopted a resolution to include the museum-reserve ‘Әziret Sultan’ in the list of objects subject to state protection.
According to the document, the security of the object will be ensured by the relevant departments of the internal affairs bodies.
As is known, the mausoleum was erected on the burial place of the Turkic poet and founder of the Sufi order of Yassawiya Khodja Ahmed Yassawi in the city of Turkestan.
The mausoleum consists of eight rooms, which are arranged around the central, largest in the complex hall Kazandyk.
In the period from 1385 to 1405, a complex of structures was built around the mausoleum and now the museum-reserve includes a mosque, palace halls big and small aksarai, a library (kitabkhana) and an economic complex, which includes a well house (kudukkhana), kitchen (askhana), living quarters (hujra) and others.
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Acute respiratory viral infections on the rise in Kazakh capital
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7,100 ARVI cases were recorded in the Kazakh capital over the past week that is 19.5% or 1.2 times more compared the same period of the previous year, deputy head of the Astana sanitary and epidemiological control department Zhanna Praliyeva told a briefing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
She said the results of the 37th week of laboratory research claimed that no flu or COVID-19 cases were detected in patients. It revealed non-influenza respiratory viruses, such as parainfluenza virus type 4 and mixed infection. 173 pregnant women, 3,709 children under 14 years old, and 255 babies under 12 months old were diagnosed with acute respiratory viral infection.
Flu vaccination of high-risk groups, including health workers, children, and elderly people began on September 18. The vaccination campaign is rolled out at 44 healthcare facilities. It takes 14 days after vaccination before an immune response develops and remains for around a year.
Zhanna Praliyeva urged all to wash their hands, cover their cough, minimize close contact with people who may have influenza, wear masks in public places, and avoid crowded places.
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Astana hosts closing ceremony of 5th World Nomad Games
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The closing ceremony of the 5th World Nomad Games featuring a musical performance and words of congratulations from World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan and Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yerbol Myrzabossynov took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan shared that during the five days of the Games he had seen the performances of around 2,500 athletes from 89 countries. The World Nomad Games presented the history and worldview of nomads, a mixture of fascinating sport and entertaining show.
This historic organization demonstrates the world that Kazakhstan has big ambitions to institutionalize traditional sports around the world. Attracting attention on all levels, these historic games show our rich cultural heritage, as was witnessed by the opening ceremony, choice of places, sports facilities and cultural events in great detail. The World Nomad Games, held under FIPS rules, once again proved that our traditional sports are not simply competitions, he said.
Bilal Erdoğan highlighted that the Games are the means for establishing friendship, solidarity and brotherhood. Athletes brought together by the Games remind of the importance of collaboration and sharing a common culture.
For myself, the irreplaceable support of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in holding the Games became one of the key factors of such success. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the President and the entire team, that devoted itself to the holding of the Nomad Games. Each contributed to this sports festival as well as to the history, said Bilal Erdoğan.
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Kazakhstan tops medal standings at end of 5th World Nomad Games
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Team Kazakhstan added 25 more medals at the 5th World Nomad Games to bring their total medal count to 114, including 44 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze ones, before the tournament wraps up, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Team Kazakhstan was represented by a total of 216 athletes in 21 sports at the 5th World Nomad Games.
On Day Six of the Games, Team Kazakhstan won 25 medals, including 11 gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals.
Today, Bakyt Tolay brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Zheti kut stage in the Tenge ilu event.
Kazakhstan’s eagle hunter Serikbek Kuntugan claimed gold in the Kusbegilik final.
Team Kazakhstan won two gold and two bronze medals in the Mangala (Turkish traditional intellectual game) event, with Kundyz Yessipkep claiming the women’s gold and Aigerim Kuanyshbekova - bronze. Bigali Zkiryayev claimed a gold medal in the men’s Mangala event and Azamat Kaidarov - a bronze medal.
Kazakhstan ended up with a silver medal in the Ordo event (Kyrgyz national game). Coming in first was Team Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan was placed third.
Kazakhstan swept the podium in the Kunan baige at the Games, with Amir Serik winning gold, Ansar Arysstanbek hauling silver and Dilnur Nurmukash settling for bronze.
Ansar Arysstanbek brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Alaman baige event. Coming in second was Khamza Amanfeldy of Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan’s Nurel Elessov was placed third.
Kazakhstan’s Serzhan Baktybay won gold in the Top Baige event. Arnat Muratkhan and Zhanbolat Marden of Kazahstan claimed second and third places, respectively.
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