Published:
For the first time in history, a Kazakhstan composer’s opera will be performed in four cities across the United Kingdom.
On February 17, 2024, the world premiere of the opera «The Bruce» by Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin, a doctoral student of the Bolashak program and a composer-pianist, will take place at Glasgow Cathedral. The opera will tell the story of Robert I Bruce, King of Scotland. It aims to be a musical bridge between the past and the future, revealing the personality of one of Scotland’s greatest monarchs and a champion of independence.
The libretto is based on the medieval poem «The Brucе» by John Barbour, written around 1375, and is a core part of Rakhat-Bi’s doctoral research at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University of St Andrews.
The work is a cathedral opera, a new genre intended for performance in the acoustically rich environment of a cathedral. According to the composer, the opera will narrate a story about freedom and virtue, personality and power, struggle and resilience, and how one person can profoundly change the life of an entire nation.
The premiere, which marks the 750th anniversary of Robert Bruce’s birth, will be held at four iconic cathedrals in the UK:
The production will feature opera singers and conductors from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, including a tenor for the role of Robert Bruce, a reader, a choir, and an organ. Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin will play the organ part himself.
The Bruce family, an aristocratic dynasty, is providing comprehensive support for the opera's organization. The preface to the opera was written by Andrew Bruce, the 37th head of the Bruce clan, Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. The Bruce Clan also assisted in providing costumes for the cast to recreate the historical period.
Information on ticket reservations is available on the JSC «Center for International Programs» website bolashak.gov.kz. Attendance is free with prior reservation.
About Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin: Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin (born February 2, 1999) is a composer and pianist, Master of Arts in Art Studies, and laureate of the State Prize «Daryn». In 2022, he won the Bolashak scholarship to conduct doctoral research in «Music» at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has been composing since the age of 10, became a student at the Kurmangazy Conservatory at 13, a master’s student at KazNUI at 17, interned at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, and defended his master’s thesis at 18. At 20, he completed post-graduate studies at three prestigious Italian universities. He is the only Kazakh composer whose works are included in the «Discography» collection of the Southern Illinois University, featuring masterpieces of world classical music from Bach, Haydn, and Mozart to contemporary classics.
He has composed over 150 musical works, scientific articles, and books. He has written three operas: «The Path Illuminated by the Sun», «The Stranger», and «The Bruce». Rakhat-Bi’s music is performed in famous concert halls across Europe, Asia, and America.
Tickets for the opera performances are free but must be booked in advance:
February 17th - Click to view
February 21st - Click to view
February 24th - Click to view
March, 3rd - Click to view
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