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An Italian comedy will be showcased at the Astana Opera stage.

Students of the International Opera Academy at Astana Opera will present the work of Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti – the comic opera "The Bell Ringer, or The Apothecary's Wedding Night" – to the public on February 27 and 28. This production blends unique humor, vocal artistry, and a street theater ambiance, as reported by IAEl.kz, citing the theater's press service.
На сцене Astana Opera состоится показ итальянской комедии.

The assistant director of the theater, Gulsara Meirambekova, approached the revival of the production with exceptional diligence. The premiere took place in the spring of last year.

- "The Bell" is an opera that, despite its age, sounds fresh and relevant. I would say it is a true test of an artist's professionalism. It demands high standards both in vocal mastery and in acting performance. Despite the seemingly light nature of the comedic genre, "The Bell" requires meticulous attention to detail, a precise understanding of the character, and harmony between singing and acting interpretation, - shares Gulsara Meirambekova.

She emphasized that the work on the performance was carried out in stages, adding that the selection of roles in the opera is a complex and painstaking process that begins with the conductor and musical directors. Their main task is to assess the sound of each voice, find harmony among the performers, and allocate parts so that the ensemble sounds like a cohesive whole. Only after this do the artists split into two casts, and the next stage begins – the director's work. It is the director who helps the performers understand the mood of the opera, reveals the characters’ traits, places emphasis in the staging, and fine-tunes the performance of the arias.

Thus, on different days, talented vocalists will take the stage, including: Asylzat Nugymanova, Sara Sadygulova (Serafina), Valery Selivanov, Shyngys Rasylkhan (Don Annibale), Munkhtuuvshin Khorolgaarav, Adil Sultan (Enrico), Vasilisa Savkina, Ruzilya Tyumenceva (Madame Rosa), Ablai Beken, Belal Quanish (Spiridone).

- When I was tasked with reviving the performance, the video archive became an invaluable resource. The opportunity to see the production allowed me to construct its image in my mind, envision how the scenes should appear on stage, thereby facilitating the subsequent work with the artists. However, theater is a living organism, where each production is unique and acquires additional nuances depending on the cast and their interactions. The director always faces a challenging yet exciting task – to unveil the individuality of each soloist and create a harmonious, vibrant ensemble that leaves an unforgettable impression on the audience. It is crucial to identify the strengths of the artists and pinpoint areas that require enhancement. For some, this might involve working on expressiveness and the brilliance of singing, while for others, it could be about emotional depth and authenticity in acting. But each of them will bring their own charm and charisma to the performance, creating something special. This adaptability lies in the ability to reveal and highlight the uniqueness of each performer, - concluded the assistant director.

We remind you that the production was prepared by a talented team, including conductor Ruslan Baymurzin, director Nikolai Kulikov, set designer Gulmira Isemgazieva, and costume designer Dariga Taishikova. Special attention was paid to the details that transport the audience into the atmosphere of a comedic story infused with Italian spirit.

The plot of the opera unfolds in a small town where young Serafina marries the old apothecary Don Annibale. Their wedding night has barely begun when the young lover of the girl, Enrico, appears on stage, who, using the apothecary's bell, orchestrates a series of amusing and absurd scenes. Each of his appearances becomes a spectacle, provoking laughter and delight from the audience.

The performances begin at 19:00.