Bridging Cultures: The "Teatro Petruzzelli in Residence" International Project Presented at the Abay Theatre

On April 29, 2026, the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre hosted a press conference to launch a unique international cultural and educational initiative: the “Teatro Petruzzelli in Residence” project.

“This project is being implemented under the auspices of the Embassy of Italy in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in collaboration with Teatro Petruzzelli (Bari, Italy) — one of Europe’s most prestigious centers of art — as well as the Italian Cultural Institute in Almaty and the Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre. The primary goal of the initiative is to promote the art of opera and strengthen professional exchange between Kazakhstan and Italy.”

“Teatro Petruzzelli in Residence” goes beyond the traditional format of masterclasses. It is a comprehensive international co-production that will culminate in the autumn of 2026 with a staging of Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece, “L’italiana in Algeri” (The Italian Girl in Algiers), on our theatre’s stage. As part of the program, Italian specialists will transfer all artistic and production materials necessary for the performance to the Abay Theatre.

Key figures involved in discussing the future of this cooperation and the details of the upcoming production included:

Ainur Kopbasarova – Director of the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Antonello De Riu – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Edoardo Crisafulli – Cultural Attaché and Director of the Italian Cultural Institute at the Embassy of Italy.

Nicola Grazioso – Administrative Director of Teatro Petruzzelli.

Giandomenico Vaccari – Stage Director.

Elio Orciuolo – Conductor.

The event concluded with a vibrant performance by the leading soloists of the Abay Theatre opera company. Guests of the press conference enjoyed excerpts from the upcoming production:

Oksana Davydenko delivered a brilliant performance of Isabella’s aria from the opera “L’italiana in Algeri.” Zhandarbek Yerkinbayev presented Mustafa’s aria from the same opera. Accompanied by Concertmaster Marina Omerbekova.

This project marks a significant step forward in the cultural dialogue between our nations and will offer Almaty audiences a fresh interpretation of a world-renowned classic.