Mukan Tulebayev<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opera<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Libretto by Kazhym Jumaliyev.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEW MUSICAL AND SCENIC VERSION <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opera in two acts<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Performed in Kazakh<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n (accompanied by synchronised Russian and English supertitles) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Act 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scene One<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n People of Koyandy are celebrating a joyful event: a fair was opened! A wide array and beauty of the goods presented on it gladden the eye: bright patterns on snow-white felt, magnificent silver jewelry sparkling in the sun and colourful rich ornamental carpets with silk fringe … There are talented folk artisans, craftsmen, brisk merchants, eagle hunters and artists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a chariot comes to the fair the governor Zhanbota along with his beloved nephew Zhienkul. He accepts greetings and gives permission to continue the fun, having promised to generously reward those who will win the song competition aitys! He then buys an expensive gun for his nephew as a gift. The fair is buzzing and having fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The news that in today\u2019s aitys the famous singers Birzhan and Sara will compete has already spread through the crowd! Their ingenuity, wit and talent have long been adored by the people, and the songs composed by them are being sung all over the place! Which of the people\u2019s favourites will be able to win the aitys?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The young Yestai brings the joyful news of B\u0456rzhan\u2019s approach and by telling funny stories and jokes, encourages those around him to attend the forthcoming aitys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through the noise and fun of the fair from afar comes a beautiful song about the native land \u2013 this is Birzhan praising the beauty of Kokshetau, its mountain slopes, rocky gorges and deep mirror lakes …<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is with great pleasure and excitement that the people welcome the beautiful Sara, who has come from the faraway Zhetyssu!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having greeted each other, the singers start the competition. The two opponents are nearly equal in wit and skill!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bit by bit Sara\u2019s thoughts gravitate solely to Birzhan, but sadly, against her will, she has been betrothed to Zhienkul, Zhanbota\u2019s nephew\u2026 The beautiful face of Sara is overshadowed by sadness, and sorrowful look in her eyes is full of tears and despair\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the heat of the moment, carried away by the contest, Birzhan unwittingly wounded Sara\u2019s pride and self-esteem, having reminded her of Zhienkul\u2026 However, in a moment Sara\u2019s voice sounds lighter and more optimistic. Music livens up, and Birzhan and Sara\u2019s voices merge into one ringing stream, expressing their tender and warm feelings \u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no winner in this contest! People cannot give preference to either one of their favourites. Like the Moon and the Sun, they stand facing each other, with gracious blessings of the people\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n The overall joy is cut short as Zhanbota arrives. He is enraged: as it turned out his daughter Altynai is in love with Birzhan, and the crowd, who just bowed with gratitude to him, is now making fun of his nephew, Sara\u2019s fianc\u00e9! The people are ruthlessly making a mockery of the governor\u2019s cruelty, and Birzhan performs the song Zhanbota<\/em>, which is immediately picked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zhanbota\u2019s threats sound worse than whipping. The enraged ruler orders the nukers to seize Birzhan, but the people stand up for the singer\u2019s defense, forcing the ridiculed Zhanbota to leave the fair. The overall festivities go on\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Scene Two<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In his native village, spread out over the shores of the picturesque falls, sits at his yurt the singer Birzhan, immersed in sad thoughts. Sick at heart, he longs to see Sara again. Analyk, Birzhan\u2019s mother, worries about him and tries to console her beloved son as much as she can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Birzhan\u2019s father Kozhagul, cautioned by the biys against the conflict with the authorities, is totally alarmed \u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the rebukes of Kozhagul, who shames and reproaches his son for misconduct and condemn of Zhanbota, are in vain. Birzhan is not afraid of such warnings. He feels the support of his people and friends\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having violated the tradition, the betrothed Sara comes to the village of Birzhan and gives him a handkerchief as a token of her love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birzhan\u2019s mother Analyk blesses the lovers. Two akyns\u2019 hearts unite in song. The young people rejoice at the happiness of Birzhan and Sara. The fun begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The general joy, however, is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Zhanbota, nukers and Altynai, who is hopelessly in love with Birzhan. She tries in vain to lure him by promises of wealth and esteem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zhanbota threatens Birzhan with reprisal; he wants him to stop trampling on traditions and morals, as well as leading astray young people fascinated by Birzhan\u2019s bold songs. Zhanbota\u2019s errand boys take Sara away by force. Birzhan\u2019s friends try to resist them, and a fight ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zhanbota, Altynai and Zhienkul leave. The nukers fire warning shots in the air to disperse the people. The insulted and beaten Birzhan remains alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ACT 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scene Three<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sara is brought to the village of her bridegroom. She is taken to a yurt to prepare for the wedding with Zhienkul. However, a dazzling wedding dress cannot bring joy to the bride … Altynai, who does not lose hope to marry Birzhan, also helps to dress Sara. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly Serik rushes in crying \u201cBirzhan\u2019s in trouble!\u201d, and announces that Birzhan has lost his mind because of the grief and is wandering now with his dombyra along mountain paths like a stricken beast \u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n This terrible news strikes at the very heart of Sara\u2019s being. Altynai addresses her with feigned sympathy. The wedding rite Zhar-Zhar<\/em> starts. Guests joyfully dance \u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n At last Zhienkul triumphs! However, mundane laws have no control over Sara\u2019s feelings: she is now Zhienkul\u2019s wife, but her heart belongs to Birzhan only! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Left alone in their yurt, the newlyweds hear the struggle sounds. Obsessed by the desire to save his sweetheart, oblivious of the danger, suddenly appears Birzhan. Zhienkul runs for help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The moment the lovers are left alone, Birzhan begs Sara to elope with him to the distant lands, where the Kokshetau Mountains will hide them and friends will help\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Zhanbota and Zhienkul block the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The nukers seize Birzhan and beat him severely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scene Four<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rays of sunset are dying down; the Kokshetau Mountains are about to disappear under the blanket of night. The exhausted and tortured Birzhan is in a cell. He feels death approaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The prison guard Serik is having fun with his henchmen. Taking advantage of the lack of the guard, Sara comes to the suffering Birzhan. She realizes in horror that her beloved\u2019s time is running out. Bound hand and foot, Birzhan now does not pose the hazard to Zhienkul, who appears and demands that they take an immediate and severe revenge on Birzhan. Sara hides and is witness to the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Court Scene<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mullahs and Zhanbota appear. Death! This is the only terrible sentence for the violator of Sharia law! Zhanbota and the mullahs leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birzhan\u2019s mother, father and friends appear; Sara also joins them. Having seen Sara, Altynai goes out to warn Zhienkul, who comes and shoots at Birzhan in a fury. However, Sara manages to shield her lover and dies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birzhan, embracing the lifeless body of his sweetheart, says goodbye to her, his loved ones — Analyk, Kozhagul, Yestai, his friends and homeland… Zhanbota, Zhienkul, Altynai and the guards, paying tribute to the akyn\u2019s talent, listen to his last song\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Final<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Birzhan\u2019s mother sings a heartbreaking farewell ritual song Zhoktau<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n The grief-stricken Analyk sees visions and hears voices… These are happy young couples in wedding clothes and rejoicing children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And on the high rock at the base of the falls are Birzhan and Sara. They were not destined to be together. However, the story of their love has remained in the memory of the people, and new generations of lovers sing Birzhan\u2019s songs. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Libretto by Kazhym Jumaliyev.<\/p>\n