Premiere of Kazakh Composer's Opera Held in the UK

«Kazakh Mozart» Rahat-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 opera «The Bruce», composed by Rahat-Bi Abdyssagin, a doctoral candidate in the «Bolashak» program and talented composer-pianist, took place at Glasgow Cathedral. The performance featured soloists, a choir, and conductors from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The opera opened with a ten-minute organ overture played by Rahat-Bi himself, accompanied by a live reading of poetry by Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow.

«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 (circa 1375). The libretto tells the story of one of Scotland's most famous kings and military leaders, Robert I Bruce. Robert Bruce’s military successes played a crucial role in preserving Scottish independence.

The premiere was a sold-out event at the historic cathedral. Distinguished scholars, historians, music industry representatives, literary figures, journalists, and residents of Scotland attended the premiere to be among the first to experience the new genre of opera – cathedral opera.

The venue for the premiere was chosen deliberately; it was at Glasgow Cathedral where Robert I Bruce was first recognized as King of Scotland.

«2I worked with leading linguists and historians to establish and explore the historical context, as well as the pronunciation of early Scots. We made significant efforts to decipher the text in both metaphorical and literal terms. The music is meticulously crafted and uses the grandeur of the organ to create a magnificent sonic universe within the cathedral space. I am grateful to the international 'Bolashak' scholarship and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for providing the opportunity to study at a prestigious Western conservatoire and contribute to the global arts», – said Rahat-Bi Abdyssagin.

For the libretto and historical context, Rahat-Bi consulted with many renowned historians and literary scholars from Scotland. Among the experts on the organ section was Kazakhstan’s Honored Artist, Gabit Nesipbayev.

The musical work of the Kazakh composer resonated with the audience, making the evening a significant moment in his career and a landmark event in the history of world music. Guests from all over Britain, including «Bolashak» scholarship holders studying in cities across England and Scotland, created a special atmosphere at Glasgow Cathedral. Rahat-Bi Abdyssagin expressed his gratitude to his compatriots for their support and emphasized the importance of coming together through art that transcends boundaries and time.

The next premiere of the opera will be held on February 21 at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Full information on the premiere schedule can be found on the website bolashak.gov.kz.

For Reference: Rahat-Bi Abdyssagin (February 2, 1999) is a composer and pianist, Master of Arts, and laureate of the State Prize «Daryn». He has been studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the "Bolashak" program since 2022.

Photos are provided by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Association of Kazakhstani Students in the UK