― 28 июня 2014 г.

End of the Tour of

"Birjan and Sarah", the masterpiece of the famous Kazak composer Mukan Tulebayev was on tour in Turkey again this year. The opera was performed in Istanbul, Bursa, Eskisehir and Ankara with the support of TURKSOY, the State Opera and Ballet of the Republic of Turkey and Aktif Bank.

The performances of this masterpiece of Kazak classical music in Turkey took place on June 13^th, 2014 in Istanbul within the framework of the 5^th International Opera Festival of Istanbul, June 16^th, 2014 in Bursa within the framework of the 53^rd International Festival of Bursa and on June 18^th, 2014 in Eskisehir the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013. The tour of the opera in Turkey ended with a final performance held in Ankara on June 20^th, 2014.

The tour started with a first performance held at the recently inaugurated Leyla Gencer Opera and Culture Center which is the newest opera hall of Turkey and ended with a final performance in the historical building of the State Opera and Ballet in Ankara, raising great enthusiasm among the audience of music-lovers who appreciated the opportunity to watch and listen to the opera in Turkish language.

All performances of this masterpiece composed on a libretto by Kajım Jumaliyev took place with the contribution of famous artists from the Turkic World along with artists of the State Opera and Ballet of Samsun under Tolga TAVIS as conductor.

The art director of the project featuring guest artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bashkortostan(RF), Tatarstan (RF) and Turkey was Prof. Dr. Eflatun Niemetzade who is famous for many other projects he realized in cooperation with countries of the Turkic World such as the "Koroghlu” and "Alpamıs” Operas.

This opera which features cultural and artistic patterns of Kazakhstan and has been the voice of Kazak opera throughout the world since its composition, was performed for the first time in Turkey within the framework of activities carried out in 2013, the year of Mukan Tulebayev.

Integrating a Kazak opera in the repertoire of the State Opera and Ballet of the Republic of Turkey for the first time, this project introduced a masterpiece of Kazak opera featuring elements of contemporary Kazak classical music to the audience of art-lovers in Turkey, thus giving them the opportunity to get an insight into Kazak history, culture and art.

BIRJAN AND SARAH – Mukan Tulebayev

Opera in Two Acts

Conductor Tolga TAVIS

Stage Director Eflatun NEIMETZADE

Setting and design Erlan TUYAKOV

Costumes Esengeldi TUYAKOV

Light O.Murat Yılmaz

Choir Conductor Mikhaıl ISKROV

Choreographer Tursinbek NURKALIYEV

Accompanist Onur ALTIPARMAK, Malahat ISMAYILOVA, Nona TSUTSKIRIDZE

Assistant Stage Director Duygu ASLAN

Tutor Levent GUNGOR

Callboy U. Gokhan KUCUK, Burak OLMEZ

Prompter Ulku BALTA

ACT ONE

Scenery 1

People of the Kazak village of Koyanlı gather in the center of the village to listen to the duet of Birjan and Sara who are both poets and singers. The governor Vali Janbota comes to the Market of Koyanlı together with his daughter Altınay, his brother Jiyenkul and his guards. Janbota’s brother Jiyenkul wants to mary Sarah and take her as his fourth wife. But in their duet, Birjan and Sarah mention this, so Janbota interrupts them and threatens Birjan with his guards who attack him. As Birjan and the people watching them react to this attack, Janbota and his guards leave the market place. The people rejoice and are happy to see that Birjan and Sarah are safe.

Scenery 2

Birjan stands alone near a lake and sings odes to Sarah. Wisemen of the village come and warn him, saying that Janbota is a dangerous man and that he should be careful. Birjan's parents are also worried. Janbota's daughter Altınay who is in love with Birjan tries to seduce him and tells him that unless he does not let go off Sarah, her father, janbota will send him into exile. However, Birjan does not care. While Birjan and Sarah promise one another that they will be faithful to eachother Janbota and his guards enter the scene. Janbota forces Birjan to make a decision. Birjan must either surrender to him and abandon his dombra or die. The people protest against this menace. As Janbota's guards torture Birjan, Janbota and his people abduct Sarah.

* An instrument of Turkic peoples frequently played in Kazakhstan.

ACT TWO

Scenery 1

While preparations are under way for the wedding of Sarah and Jiyenkul, Sarah tells Jiyenkul that she will never be his wife. Birjan suddenly comes. Jiyenkul turns mad and calls the guards who arrest Birjan while Jiyenkul takes Sarah away.

Scenery 2

Birjan is emprisoned and tortured. In his suffering, he dreams of Sarah. Altınay who did everything to separate the lovers from one another is feeling guilty for what she did and tries to show her compassion with Birjan. Serik, the governor's guard falls asleep while waiting in front of the cell where Birjan is emprisoned. So Sarah comes and makes a proposal to Birjan: they both shall fight for their love against all odds and die together. Jiyenkul comes, attacks Serik, the sleeping guard and orders a trial to be held for Birjan. Jiyenkul’s brother, Jambota, the Governor immediately orders the trial to take place. Birjan is sentenced to death.