The State Ballet Company of Astana Opera Theater—L’Arlésienne and Carmen by Roland Petit
Two ballet masterpieces of passion and obsession set to Bizet’s music
Roland Petit (1924–2011) was one of the most important choreographers of the 20th century. Like George Balanchine in the USA or Frederick Ashton in Britain, he was a pioneer who revolutionised ballet in his native France from the late 1940s onward. His work is seldom seen in Hong Kong and this double bill offers a rare opportunity to see two of his finest ballets.
L’Arlésienne, created in 1974, is a haunting story of unrequited love leading to madness, despair and death. The hero’s tragic downfall is contrasted with the sunshine and bright colours of Provence, evoked by Bizet’s rhythmic, folk-influenced music and designs inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings of the region.
Carmen, created in 1949, is Petit’s most iconic work and a landmark in ballet history. Stripping down the story of Bizet’s opera to five dramatic scenes, it caused a sensation with its unflinching portrayal of sexuality and its fusion of classical technique with Spanish dance. Petit danced the tragic, obsessive Don José at the premiere, with the legendary Zizi Jeanmaire as the provocative Carmen.
The Roland Petit Foundation sets strict standards for which companies can perform his work. The State Ballet Company of Astana Opera Theater Artistic Director Altynai Asylmuratova danced both ballets under Petit’s own direction, and her firsthand knowledge of his choreography is reflected in her company’s stagings.
Advance Bookings will start at 10am on 7 October 2026
The State Ballet Company of Astana Opera Theater
Artistic Director: Altynai Asylmuratova
The Astana Opera Theater, which opened in 2013, is Central Asia’s largest opera house, home to an opera company, ballet company and orchestra. Its ballet troupe is led by Artistic Director Altynai Asylmuratova, who trained at the renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Leningrad and danced with the Kirov/Mariinsky Ballet for more than two decades, earning recognition for her exquisite classical style and flawless technique. She later performed with The Royal Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet and Roland Petit’s Ballet National de Marseille.
In 2000–13, Asylmuratova served as Artistic Director of her alma mater, the Vaganova Academy. She returned to her homeland in 2015 to lead the Astana Opera Ballet, building an outstanding ensemble of dancers, developing a rich and varied repertoire and establishing the company on the international stage.
Remarks
This production contains smoking scenes and smoke effects