Abay Opera House

{{Infobox building

| name = Abay Opera House

| image = ALA GATOB ABAI.JPG

| image_size = 340px

| caption =

| location = Almaty, Kazakhstan

| coordinates = {{coord|43|14|56|N|76|56|45|E|region:KZ|display=inline,title}}

| start_date =

| completion_date = 1941

| opening = 1941

| building_type = Theatre

| antenna_spire =

| roof =

| top_floor =

| floor_count =

| elevator_count =

| cost =

| renovation_date = 2000

| floor_area =

| architect =

| structural_engineer =

| engineer =

| website = https://www.gatob.kz/

| developer =

| owner = municipality of Almaty

}}

The Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre ({{langx|kk|Абай атындағы Қазақ ұлттық опера және балет театры|translit=Abai atyndağy Qazaq ūlttyq opera jäne balet teatry}}; {{Langx|ru|Казахский национальный театр оперы и балета имени Абая|Kazakhskii natsionalʹnyi teatr opery i baleta imeni Abaya}}) is an opera house located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Founded as a music studio in 1933, it evolved into a full-fledged theater by 1934, marking the birth of Kazakh musical theater with its first public performance, Aiman Sholpan. Over the decades, the theater has played a pivotal role in the development of national opera and ballet, showcasing significant works by renowned composers and choreographers from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Europe. The building, constructed between 1936 and 1941, features a unique blend of Stalinist architecture, Italian Neoclassical architecture, and Kazakh elements.

Since 19 December 2020, the theatre has been designated as national status by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

History

Before becoming a theater, the Abay Opera House began as a music studio in 1933 in Almaty. By 1934, it was established as a theater, and in 1941, the official opening of the new theater building took place. In 1945, it was named after the renowned Kazakh poet, composer, and philosopher Abai Qunanbaiuly.{{Citation |last=Partnership |first=English: Kazakh Encyclopediasy Limited Liability |title=Русский: Казахстан. Национальная энциклопедия |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kazakhstan_National_encyclopedia_(ru)_-_Vol_3_of_5_(2005).pdf&page=54 |access-date=2022-05-28 |last2=Book |first2=Start this}}

On 13 January 1934, the first public performance of the musical comedy Aiman Sholpan was staged, with a libretto by Mukhtar Auezov and folk music arranged by Ivan Kotsyk. This event is regarded as the birth of the Kazakh musical theatre.{{Cite web |title=Внутри. ГАТОБ им. Абая – Аналитический интернет-журнал Власть |url=https://vlast.kz/inside/25931-vnutri-gatob-im-abaa.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=vlast.kz |language=ru}} The theater's first composer, Yevgeny Brusilovsky, laid the foundation for Kazakhstan’s national opera art, composing operas such as Qyz-Jibek (1934), Jalbyr (1935), and Er Targyn (1936).{{Cite web |last=tengrinews.kz |date=November 12, 2019 |title="Первый казахский композитор написал оперу!" Как Брусиловский и Тулебаев работали над "Биржан и Сара" |url=https://tengrinews.kz/mixnews/pervyiy-kazahskiy-kompozitor-napisal-operu-brusilovskiy-383865/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Главные новости Казахстана – Tengrinews.kz |language=ru}}

In 1935, a Russian opera company was established, leading to the staging of nine productions of Russian and world opera classics by 1937. Notable productions included Carmen, Eugene Onegin, The Queen of Spades, and Aida.{{Cite web |title=КАЗАХСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ АКАДЕМИЧЕСКИЙ ТЕАТР ОПЕРЫ И БАЛЕТА ИМ. АБАЯ |url=https://e-history.kz/ru/kazakhstanika/show/10300/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=e-history.kz |language=ru}} That same year, the theater was officially named the Kazakh Opera and Ballet Theater, and a ballet company was formed, performing works such as Coppélia (1937) and Swan Lake (1938). The first Kazakh ballet, Qalqaman and Mamyr, was staged in 1938.{{Cite web |title=Славный юбилей |url=https://kazpravda.kz/n/slavnyy-yubiley/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=kazpravda.kz |language=ru}}

During the 1950s, the theater featured the works of prominent Soviet choreographers like Mikhail Moiseyev and Dauren Abirov, who contributed significantly to the development of ballet at the theater. Productions from this era included The Red Poppy, The Bronze Horseman, and Shurale. Another key figure, Zauyrbek Raibaev, not only performed but also directed several ballets.{{Cite web |title=Казахский театр оперы и балета (Kazakh Opera and Ballet Theater) {{!}} Belcanto.ru |url=https://www.belcanto.ru/kazah.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=www.belcanto.ru}}

In the 1970s, Valery Rutter, an Honored Artist of the Kazakh SSR, staged 15 operas and ballets, with notable productions like Alpamys, Enlik- Kebek, and Spartak. The theater continued to expand its repertoire, staging both Western and Kazakh works, including the opera Abai, with music by Akhmed Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi.{{cite web |title=Abay Opera House |url=http://www.hg2almaty.com/sights/opera/---abai-state-academic-opera-ballet---almaty-kazakhstan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222133002/http://www.hg2almaty.com/sights/opera/---abai-state-academic-opera-ballet---almaty-kazakhstan |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |accessdate=September 3, 2013 |publisher=Hg2 Almaty}}{{Cite web |title=КАЗАХСКИЙ ТЕАТР ОПЕРЫ И БАЛЕТА • Большая российская энциклопедия – электронная версия |url=https://bigenc.ru/music/text/2032959 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=bigenc.ru}}

On 19 December 2020, the Abay Opera House was granted a national status by a decree from the President of Kazakhstan.{{Cite web |last=tengrinews.kz |date=December 20, 2020 |title=Театру оперы и балета имени Абая присвоили статус национального |url=https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/teatru-operyi-baleta-imeni-abaya-prisvoili-status-423488/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Главные новости Казахстана – Tengrinews.kz |language=ru}}

Construction

The construction of the building began in 1936 and was completed in 1941, designed by architects N.A. Kruglov, N.A. Prostakov, and T.K. Basenov. The structure features a blend of Stalinist architecture, Italian Neoclassical architecture, and national Kazakh elements. The inaugural performance in the new building took place on 7 November 1941.{{Cite web |title=Казахский академический театр оперы и балета имени Абая |url=https://news.rambler.ru/other/41853460-kazahskiy-akademicheskiy-teatr-opery-i-baleta-imeni-abaya/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Рамблер/новости |language=ru}}

The first floor, characterized by large, rusticated wall surfaces, serves as a stereobath for the entire building. The second and third floors are accentuated with fine rustication. The portico is supported by powerful pylons that extend into the blank side walls. Bas-relief ornamental frames forming a lancet arch adorn the pylons, featuring quotations on art from the works of Vladimir Lenin.{{Cite web |title=История театра |url=http://www.gatob.kz/o-teatre/istoriya-teatra/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=www.gatob.kz}}

The main facade is crowned with a high entablature and a lattice ornamental parapet. The frieze is decorated with alternating patterns and multifigure reliefs representing art figures of Kazakhstan. Large ornamental cartouches are positioned at the level of the frieze on the pylons.

The side facades are defined by staggered pilasters and large rectangular windows, enhanced by patterns within broad platbands of rectangular doorways, ogival windows, and shallow niches containing texts. The second-floor loggia railings, frieze panels, architrave and cornice bands, as well as the capitals and bases of pilasters and columns, contribute to the intricate design.

The configuration, size, and height of the ornamental elements vary depending on their placement within the overall composition. The last renovation of the building was completed in 2000, preserving its original architectural style.

Management

Before the collapse of the Soviet government, the theatre was managed by the Ministry of Culture of the Kazakh SSR. After that it management passed to the reformed Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Nowadays it is managed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Theater repertoire

= Opera =

Abai
Aida
Abylai Khan
Aisulu
Masquerade ball
Birjan and Sara
La bohème
The Merry Widow
Anne Frank's diary
Don Pasquale
Eugene Onegin
Enlik-Kebek
La Cenerentola
Iolanta
Les pêcheurs de perles

= Ballet =

Anna Karenina
Bakhchisarai fountain
La Bayadère
Boléro
Don Quixote
Giselle
Carmen Suite
Carmina Burana
Coppélia
Le Corsaire
Swan Lake
Legend of Love
Pavana Mavra
Pulcinella
Romeo and Juliet{{Cite web|title=Репертуар|url=http://www.gatob.kz/repertuar/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-14|website=www.gatob.kz|language=ru|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200512223132/http://gatob.kz:80/repertuar/ |archive-date = May 12, 2020 }}