St Petersburg, Mariinsky II

Birzhan and Sara


opera in two acts

performed in Kazakh
Astana Opera at the Mariinsky

Performers

Conductor: Abzal Mukhitdinov
Birzhan: Akhmed Agadi
Sara: Nurzhamal Usenbaeva
Zhanbota: Zhanat Shybykbaev
Altynai: Zhannat Baktai
Analyk: Dina Khamzina
Zhienkul: Talgat Galeyev
Kozhagul: Yeskender Abzhanov
Serik: Zhan Tapin
Yestai: Beimbet Tanarykov
Mullahs: Zhandos Bekbualiev, Azamat Bektemisov, Omirzhan Kadyrov, Konstantin Strigin
Age category 12+

Credits

Music by Mukan Tulebayev
Libretto by Kazhym Zhumaliev

Musical Director and Conductor, author of the new music version: Abzal Mukhitdinov
Stage Director: Yuri Alexandrov
Production Designer: Vyacheslav Okunev
Principal Chorus Master: Yerzhan Dautov
Principal Ballet Master: Tursynbek Nurkaliev
Ballet Master: Vladimir Romanovsky
Lighting Designer: Yevgeny Vinogradov
Computer Graphics Designer: Viktoria Zlotnikova
Musical Preparation: Elena Sakhno

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Scene 1
A major fete is underway near Kaindy – a public fair has opened. the variety and beauty of the goods on sale delight the very eyes. the talented master folk craftsmen have done themselves proud. Here there are bright designs on snow-white cloth and magnificent silver ornaments glittering in the sunlight, beautiful and richly-patterned carpets with silk fringes...
The local official Zhanbota and his retinue arrive at the fair on horseback. He graciously accepts the people’s welcome and permits them to continue their merrymaking, promising a prize in a traditional music competition.
News that the famed singers Birzhan and Sara are to take part in the competition today quickly spreads through the crowd. They have long been renowned for their inventiveness, wit and talent, and their songs are sung everywhere. Which of the local people will dare to take part in the one-on-one competition of poetic song?
The youth Yestai brings everyone the joyful news that Birzhan is approaching – kissing his harmonica and with witty sayings and jokes, he excites all around him and implores them to take part in the competition: “My resonant song I give to the people, hey, lads, dance in friendship!” Suddenly, against the background of the energetic and impetuous dance, a beautiful song about a native land may be heard in the distance – it is Birzhan praising the beauty of Kokshetau, his native rugged hills, ravines and deep and mirror-like lakes...
The people delightedly meet the beautiful Sara who has come from distant Zhetysu.
They greet each other and then the singers begin to quarrel – whose singing is better? Sara’s songs are full of joy and happiness, while Birzhan’s are closer to anger and battle. the rivals cede nothing to each other in terms of their wit or their skill!
Gradually Sara’s thoughts turn exclusively to Birzhan, though unfortunately, against her will, she has been promised as the fourth wife of Zhanbota’s brother the hunchbacked leader Zhienkul. the singer Sara’s beautiful face is overcast with gloom, her sad glance filled with tears of despair...
In the passion roused by the competition Birzhan accidentally wounds his beloved’s pride and ego, chancing to mention the hunchbacked Zhienkul. But in an instant Sara’s voice sounds lighter and more optimistic. the music is livelier and Birzhan and Sara’s voices ring out, blending together and awakening tender and passionate feelings in the hearts of each...
There is no winner in this battle of lovers! the people are undecided as to which of their favourites they should give preference to. Like the Sun and the Moon they stand there looking at each other, blessed with the goodwill of the people.
This general rejoicing is interrupted by a sharp cry from the narcissistic Zhanbota, who is angered at the lack of any songs praising him. Additionally, these people are bold enough to make fun of his hunchbacked brother – Sara’s husband-to-be! Zhanbota’s threats sound worse than the striking of a whip.
And yet for Zhanbota the people have also prepared a song for the competition praising him, mercilessly making fun of his wicked deeds and cruelty. Birzhan then sings the song Zhanbota in which the people immediately join in. the wrathful ruler orders his guards to seize Birzhan, but the crowd of people rise to defend their singer, forcing the ridiculed Zhanbota to leave the fair. the merriment commences once again...

Scene 2
Birzhan’s aul is situated on the peaceful shore of Lake Borovoe. In deep thought and immersed in gloomy contemplation the singer Birzhan sits beside his yurt, singing the praises of the beautiful Sara in a passionate song. Birzhan’s mother worries about him – the elderly Analyk does her best to console her beloved son and instil him with faith and courage.
Also here is the young girl Altynai, whose love for Birzhan is unrequited. In vain she tries to win his heart with promises of riches and honour.
Birzhan’s father Kozhagul, warned by the mullahs of the dangers of a conflict with the authorities, is deeply alarmed. But the father’s words are in vain as he reproaches and rebukes his son for exposing Zhanbota. Birzhan is not afraid by any such warnings. He feels that the people are on his side – they are friends to whom he speaks of his travels to far-flung lands and of meeting the great poet Abai.
This general rejoicing is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Zhanbota. He threatens Birzhan with revenge if he does not cease to sing his freedom-loving songs. Zhanbota’s servants cause the people to flee. Disgraced and cast aside, Birzhan is left with his unhappy parents.

Act II
Scene 1
The jubilant preparations for Sara and the hunchbacked Zhienkul’s wedding are almost complete. Sharia law is cruel and unbending – a woman does not have the right to choose her partner in life and cannot be free in her passions. This glittering wedding procession can bring no joy to the bride-to-be...
Rejected by Birzhan, Altynai – who is motivated by blind jealousy – plans a bitter revenge for her rival. Plotting with the perfidious Serik, together they enact their cruel plan: with cries of “Help!” Serik declares that Birzhan, apparently out of his mind with grief, is wandering along the mountain paths with his dombra like a wounded animal... Altynai’s revenge is complete – Sara is totally grief-stricken and wounded to the heart by the dreadful news. Feigning sympathy, Altynai comes to her and begins the zhar-zhar wedding ritual. the guests perform a festive wedding dance.
Zhienkul is triumphant at last! But the laws of the world have no power over Sara’s feelings: her heart belongs to Birzhan alone. Determined to save his beloved and forgetting the danger, Birzhan suddenly appears. Furious at this bold move and unbending in his resolve, Zhienkul flees for help.
When the young people are left alone, Birzhan begs his beloved to flee with him to a distant land where they may be concealed in the mountains of Kokshetau and gain assistance from friends...
Blinded by jealousy, however, Altynai brings in the guards and blocks the road to the fleeing couple. Zhanbota and Zhienkul are here too, determined to separate the lovers forever. The fearless Birzhan is unable to protect Sara or himself...

Scene 2
The flames of the sunset glow and the peaks of the mountains of Kokshetau can be seen as night falls. Tormented and his strength fading, Birzhan has been bound to one of the cliffs by his enemies. He senses that death is approaching. He firmly believes, however, that his freedom-loving songs will outlive their creator.
Serik the guard is making merry with his henchmen. Taking advantage of the guard being absent, Sara comes to the tortured Birzhan. In terror she sees that not a second is to be lost. Quickly she goes off for help.
Bound hand and foot, the defenceless Birzhan presents no danger to the puny Zhienkul. the latter mocks the singer and demands immediate and cruel revenge. Execute him! That can be the only justice for one who has broken Sharia law! Zhanbota’s henchmen carry out the dreadful sentence.
Dying, Birzhan bids farewell to Sara and his friends as well as his native land. Birzhan’s mother sings a heartfelt ritualistic zhoktau song of farewell. But love is more powerful than death, and again, beside us, we have the eternally passionate lovers Birzhan and Sara...


World premiere: 7 November 1946, State Academic Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre, Alma-Ata;
the premiere cast included Anvar Umbetbaev (Birzhan) and Kulyash Bayseitova (Sara)
Russian premiere: 1948, Creative Arts Competition, Moscow
Premiere at the Astana State Opera and Ballet Theatre: 21 June 2013, Astana

There will be one interval
The performance lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes


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