“The Fountain of Bakhchisarai”

Boris Asafiev

“The Fountain of Bakhchisarai”

Ballet in two acts with a prologue and an epilogue

Choreography by Rostislav Zakharov

Libretto by Nikolai Volkov based on the eponymous poem by Alexander Pushkin

The ballet was based on the eponymous poem by A. Pushkin, which he wrote inspired by the ancient legends about the fountain of Bakhchisarai, also known as the Fountain of Tears.

Khan Ghirei, cruel Tartar commander, rampages in Poland. During one of his invasions, he attacks a Polish castle where birthday celebrations for Maria, the daughter of a Polish noble lord, were underway. The tartars kill everyone except Maria whom Khan falls desperately in love with. 

In the harem of Bakhchisarai palace the captive Maria meets Ghirei’s favorite wife Zarema who lost her status because of the young Polish girl. The same evening Khan implores Maria to accept his love, but she is only afraid and repelled by Ghirei. Khan Ghirei humbly leaves. Zarema enters the bed-chamber. She demands that Maria alienate Ghirei from herself, Maria tries to explain that she will never love Ghirei. Zarema sees Khan’s scull-cap forgotten by him, and seized with jealousy, kills Maria. Ghirei is overwhelmed by grief. 

The world premiere took place in 1934 at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after S.M. Kirov (Mariinsky Theatre). The innovation of the young choreographer R. Zakharov was in mixing and opposing western and eastern dancing styles, thereby highlighting two different worlds – subtle lyricism of the first stands in sharp contrast to deep belligerent feelings of the other. 

 

ROLES AND PERFORMERS: 

Khan Ghirei – Zhanibek IMANKULOV / Aidan KALZHAN (Debut) 

Zarema – Anel RUSTEMOVA, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan /  Anastasia ZAKLINSKAYA

Maria – Madina UNERBAYEVA, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan /  Adelina TULEPOVA

Vaslav –  Yerkin RAKHMATULLAYEV, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan / Rustam CHAKHALOV 

Nurali – Serik NAKYSPEKOV / Kuat KARIBAYEV

 

BALLET DANCERS, ORCHESTRA AND EXTRAS OF THE ASTANA OPERA HOUSE

 

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Ballet Master-Producer: Altynai Asylmuratova, People’s Artist of Russia 

Assistant Ballet Masters – Producers: Konstantin Zaklinsky, Honoured Artist of Russia / Elena Sherstneva 

Conductor: Arman Urazgaliyev

Set Designer: Ezio Frigerio 

Costume Designer: Franca Squarciapino 

Assistant Costume Designer: Sofia Tasmagambetova, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Lighting Designer: Vinicio Cheli 

Projection Designer: Sergio Metalli 

Stage Managers: Altynganym Akhmetova, Ainur Khalelova

Tickets purchased at the Astana Opera are exchangeable and refundable only in cases of cancelled or postponed performances. In all other cases, no refunds and exchanges are possible.