Astana's Operalidia Festival Debuts Bold Ballet Adaptation of Pictures at an Exhibition
Astana’s international music festival Operalidia will host the premiere of a bold new ballet production. Pictures at an Exhibition, a choreographic interpretation of Mussorgsky’s famous suite, debuts on May 23 at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The performance brings together young dancers from the Nutcracker School of Ballet Art and the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra under conductor Ruslan Baimurzin. The production reimagines Mussorgsky’s ten-piece suite, originally inspired by the paintings of Victor Hartmann. Audiences will recognise movements like Baba Yaga, The Great Gate of Kiev, and The Old Castle, each transformed into a dance narrative. The symphony orchestra’s live accompaniment adds depth to the collaboration between the Nutcracker School and Astana Opera.
At the heart of the ballet is the figure of the Artist, who leads the protagonist—and the audience—from surface observation to deeper understanding. Maya Amelicheva, director of the Nutcracker School, describes the work as a conversation between music, painting, and movement. The choreography aims to uncover the essence of each image, shifting from a fleeting glance to a richer, more layered experience. Conductor Ruslan Baimurzin highlights the piece’s groundbreaking fusion of arts. He calls it a landmark in artistic synthesis, with Mussorgsky’s innovative language shaping later musical developments. The premiere marks the first time this ambitious vision will be fully realised on stage.
The May 23 performance will feature rising stars from Astana’s Nutcracker School, supported by the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are available for the event at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. This production continues Operalidia’s tradition of blending classical works with contemporary creativity.
