As part of the events of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre will host the Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after G. Tsydynzhapov on the Grand Stage for the first time, from June 10 to 12.
The oldest musical theatre of the Far Eastern Federal District will present the brightest premiere of recent years ‒ the ballet Land of Faith – Bargudjin Toukum and together with NOVAT will celebrate Russia Day on June 12 with the opera gala concert Unity of the Muses in the Siberian capital.
The Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre dates its creative history back to 1939, when the musical drama theatre was founded, from which the Buryat Opera separated in 1949. The theatre honourably represents the opera and ballet art of the republic in the cultural space of Russia and abroad thanks to the professionalism of creative teams and a rich, original repertoire, which presents masterpieces of Russian and foreign musical classics and works based on the cultural traditions and folklore heritage of the Buryat people.
On June 10 and 11, the Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre will present Anastasia Druzhinina's ballet Land of Faith – Bargudjin Toukum on the Grand Stage of the NOVAT, choreographed by Nikita Dmitrievsky and based on a libretto by Buryat writer Gennady Bashkuev. The two-act ballet was created in 2023 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Buryatia. The creative team for the production of the national ballet was determined based on the results of a competition announced by the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Ministry of Culture of Buryatia. The performance became a notable event on the Russian ballet stage, was enthusiastically received by the public and highly appreciated by the expert community. For the Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre, this is the first experience of staging a modern ballet with a pronounced national flavour, where the choreographic text combines ballet classics, ethnic dance and modern sculpture. Nikita Dmitrievsky acted as choreographer, stage director, production designer and lighting designer. Previously, the talented Moscow choreographer worked with Jiří Kylián, staged his ballets in the renowned companies of Boris Eifman and Roland Petit. In the libretto, philologist, writer, and playwright Gennady Bushkuev turned to Buryat mythology, to the legends about the ancestral homeland of the Buryat people ‒ Land of Faith – Bargudjin Toukum. The philosophical plot about the clash of two religions ‒ shamanism and Buddhism ‒ tells about a journey in the spiritual worlds, through dimensions and rebirth, the souls of two lovers – Toumen and Asuykhan. Anastasia Druzhinina's music combines throat singing, the sound of folk instruments, electronics and a symphony orchestra.
On Russia Day, June 12, music and inspiration will unite the creative forces of the Buryat and Novosibirsk Opera Houses in a large-scale gala concert Unity of the Muses. A real dialogue of cultures, high skill, academicism and national flavour await listeners in a rich, multifaceted program, directed by Vyacheslav Starodubtsev, Honoured Artist of Russia, and Valentin Bogdanov, Chief Conductor of the Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre, will stand at the conductor's desk of the NOVAT Symphony Orchestra. In the first part of the concert, works by Buryat composers will be performed, revealing to the audience the original melodies and poetic images of Buryat musical culture. The second part will feature arias and duets from masterpieces of Russian and European opera classics. The evening will end with the final chorus of “Slav'sya” (“Glory, glory..!”) from Mikhail Glinka's opera Ivan Susanin.
Tour of the Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after People's Artist of the USSR G. Tsydynzhapov at the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre: Land of Faith – Bargudjin Toukum, ballet in two acts by Nikita Dmitrievsky with the music by Anastasia Druzhinina ‒ June 10 and 11, beginning at 7:00 pm.
• June 10, the main roles: Asuykhan ‒ Alexandra Bogdanova, Toumen – Eldar Vandanov, Shadow ‒ Anastasia Tsybenova, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Buryatia, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Buryatia.
• June 11: Asuykhan – Yulia Zhambalova; Toumen – Eker Hunakaa; Shadow ‒ Anastasia Tsybenova, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Buryatia, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Buryatia.
Gala concert Unity of the Muses with the participation of leading soloists of the Novosibirsk and Buryat Opera Companies, the NOVAT Choir and Symphony Orchestra will be held on June 12, beginning at 7:00 pm.