The Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre will welcome a special guest from Buryatia. The Buryat Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, named after People's Artist of the USSR Gombozhap Tsydynzhapov, will bring two spectacular productions to the Krasnoyarsk stage: Land of Faith – Bargudzhin Tukum on June 10 and 11, and The Beautiful Angara on June 12 and 13. The tickets are already on sale.

Both ballets celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Buryat people, showcasing their traditions and the breathtaking landscapes of their homeland. However, each production tells its story through a unique artistic lens.

The Beautiful Angara is a timeless classic of Russian и ballet and a signature work of the Gombozhap Tsydynzhapov Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre. Set to music by Lev Knipper and Bau Yampilov and originally staged by the legendary Soviet choreographers Mikhail Zaslavsky and Igor Moiseyev, the ballet had its world premiere in 1959. In 2016, it was revived in a new version by Morihiro Iwata—a former Bolshoi Theatre soloist, ballet master, and director of the Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre’s ballet company.

The ballet is inspired by the ancient legend about the mighty warrior Baikal and his beautiful daughter, Angara, who falls in love with the blue-eyed Yenisei. Determined to be with him, she defies her father and flees his watchful eye. Famous Buryat playwright Namzhil Baldano, who wrote the libretto, expanded on this traditional tale by incorporating elements from other Buryat myths and fairy tales.  One such addition is the character of the Black Whirlwind, a formidable figure who seeks Angara’s love and Baikal’s riches while standing in Yenisei’s way. The ballet’s score is infused with traditional Buryat melodies, and its choreography blends classical ballet with elements of folk dance, creating a truly distinctive performance.

The world premiere of Land of Faith – Bargudzhin Tukum, set to music by Anastasia Druzhinina, took place in 2023 as part of the centennial celebrations of the Republic of Buryatia.  The production was crafted by Nikita Dmitrievsky—director, choreographer, set designer, and lighting designer—who is already well known to Krasnoyarsk audiences for Dante’s Catharsis.

A contemporary reimagining of an age-old love story, Land of Faith is rooted in Buryat mythology, where the worlds of shamanism and Buddhism intertwine. The ballet follows the souls of two lovers, Tumen and Asuikhan, as they search for one another across dimensions and lifetimes.  The production is inspired by the legends of Bargudzhin-Tukum, a mythical land of faith. With breathtaking set designs, intricate costumes, and a mesmerizing interplay of light and movement, the ballet creates a visually stunning experience. Blending traditional Buryat dance with contemporary ballet, this production offers a powerful and deeply evocative interpretation of love, destiny, and spiritual transformation.