The premiere of the opera by the Kazakh composer took place in the UK
“Kazakh Mozart” Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin wrote an opera in honor of the 750th anniversary of one of the most famous kings of Scotland
On Saturday, February 17, 2024, the world premiere of the“The Bruce” opera , written by Bolashak doctoral student and talented composer-pianist Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin, took place at Glasgow Cathedral. The production featured soloists, choir and conductors from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The opera opened with a ten-minute organ overture played by Rakhat-B himself, accompanied by a live reading by the poet Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow.
The opera “The Bruce” was written as part of Rahat Bi’s doctoral research at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is based on the medieval poem of the same name by John Barbour (c.1375). The libretto tells the story of one of Robert I the Bruce, the most famous Scottish kings and military leaders. Robert the Bruce’s military successes played a key role in maintaining Scottish independence.
On the day of the premiere, the walls of the historic Cathedral were sold out. Prominent scientists, historical researchers, representatives of the musical arts, writers, journalists, and residents of Scotland attended the premiere to be among the first to listen to the author’s new genre of opera – cathedral opera.
The location for the premiere was not chosen by chance; it was in Glasgow Cathedral that Robert I the Bruce was first recognized as King of Scotland.
“I have worked with leading linguists and historians to establish and research the historical context and pronunciation of the early Scots, and we have done significant work in deciphering the text in both metaphorical and literal ways. The music is carefully crafted and uses the majesty of the organ to create a magnificent universe of sound within the cathedral space. I express my gratitude to the Bolashak international scholarship and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the opportunity to study at a reputable Western conservatory and contribute to world art,” said Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin.
On issues of the libretto and historical context, Rakhat-Bi consulted with many authoritative historians and literary scholars in Scotland; one of the organ experts was Gabit Nesipbaev, the Honored Artist of Kazakhstan.
The musical creativity of the Kazakh composer found a response in the hearts of the audience, making this evening not only an important moment in his career, but also a landmark event in the history of world music. Guests from all over Britain, including Bolashak scholarship students studying in cities in England and Scotland, created a special atmosphere at Glasgow Cathedral. Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin in his speech expressed gratitude to his compatriots for their support and emphasized the importance of uniting around art that transcends borders and time.
The next premiere of the opera will take place on February 21 at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. Full information on the schedule of premieres can be found on the bolashak.gov.kz website .