Astana Opera principal dancer Bakhtiyar Adamzhan performed the lead role of Solor in La Bayadère at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, QazMonitor reports. The Kazakh dancer appeared in three performances on February 4, 6 and 7.
Adamzhan shared the stage with Iana Salenko, principal dancer of the Staatsballett Berlin, who performed the role of Nikiya. The production marked his return to the Roman opera house, where he previously appeared in Spartacus (2019) and Notre Dame de Paris (2021–2022).
The ballet was staged by Benjamin Pech after Marius Petipa and was created specifically for the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in 2023. The production features sets by Ignasi Monreal, costumes by Anna Biagiotti and lighting by Vinicio Cheli. The orchestra was conducted by Fayçal Karoui.
Following the performances, Italian audiences gave the dancer a standing ovation. Reviews also appeared in Italian media and on social platforms, with RadioDanza describing Adamzhan as “magnetic and impeccable.”
Adamzhan noted that the performances required a compressed rehearsal schedule and adaptation to the steeply raked stage of the Roman opera house. He emphasized the importance of maintaining professional standards when representing Kazakhstan abroad.
Bakhtiyar Adamzhan is an Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan and principal dancer of Astana Opera. His international schedule for the year includes performances in Japan, the UAE and Australia.
