Francis Poulenc's monoopera "The Human Voice" will be performed in Almaty for the first time in Kazakh. Preparations for this landmark cultural event were announced at the Almaty Regional Communications Service. The premiere will take place on February 20 at 7:00 PM on the stage of the Zhambyl Kazakh State Academic Philharmonic.

The work is based on Jean Cocteau's play of the same name and occupies a special place in the world musical classics of the 20th century. Previously, the monoopera has been performed in English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Catalan, Czech, Finnish, Galician, Japanese, Korean, Slovak, Ukrainian, and even in sign language. The inclusion of the Kazakh language underscores the integration of Kazakh culture into the international artistic arena.

The work's history in the Kazakh cultural context developed further in 2023, when Jean Cocteau's play "The Voice" was staged at the M. Auezov Kazakh National Drama Theater. The translation was prepared by People's Artist of Kazakhstan Tungyshbay Zhamankulov, and the production was directed by Barzu Abdurazakov. The play received high praise from audiences and the professional community. The new production continues this artistic lineage, this time in the monoopera genre.

As Philharmonic Director Nurgisa Daueshov noted, the project has not only artistic but also symbolic significance.

"Performing 'The Human Voice' in Kazakh is an important step in the development of national musical art. We strive to ensure that world masterpieces are performed in our native language, preserving their artistic depth and becoming more relatable to the audience," he shared.

The sole role in the mono-opera will be performed by Daria Zhusip, an Honored Worker of Kazakhstan. The vocal part was prepared by renowned teacher and singer Galina Karamoldayeva. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after T. Abdrashev, under the direction of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Kanat Omarov. The idea of performing the work with a symphony orchestra was developed for several years and was realized as part of this project.

The organizers note that the premiere is intended for a broad audience and aims to expand interest in classical musical heritage within the national cultural space.