Ballet
Juno and Avos February 27, 2026, 19:00
Description
Archived
“Juno and Avos” — a dramatic story of love, faith, and destiny in the form of a rhythm-rock ballet.
A. Rybnikov
«Juno» and «Avos»
Libretto by A. Dementyev
Based on the poem «Avos!» by A. Voznesensky
Rhythm-rock ballet in two acts
At the Abay Opera House, the premiere took place on 1987
Production team:
Choreographer – Anatoliy Dementiev, honored artist of Russia
Stage designer – Alexey Kryukov, honored art worker of Russia
Costume designer – Era Pokrovskaya
Prologue
During a church service, the Holy Fool tells of the hard fate, hardships and sufferings of the people.
Act One
Chamberlain Count Rezanov asks permission to organize the first expedition to the shores of America on the ships «Juno» and «Avos». In his opinion, this will establish trade and political relations between the two countries and contribute to the prosperity of Russia.
Rezanov mourns the death of his wife. He turns to the icon of the Mother of God. It seems to him that the image comes alive — the Mother of God becomes a woman and comforts him. Unexpectedly, permission is granted to equip the expedition to America.
Rezanov gathers a crew of sailors and sets sail. The Holy Fool accompanies him. He protects the Count during the dangerous and difficult journey and helps him in hard moments. Overcoming many hardships, the pioneers reach the shores of California.
The Governor of San Francisco gives a ball in honor of the guests from distant Russia. At the ball, the Count meets the young Conchita, the Governor’s daughter. He is struck by the girl’s beauty and charm. She reminds him of the image of the Mother of God descending from the icon.
Conchita remains alone. She has fallen in love with the Russian sailor who invited her to dance. During her prayer, Rezanov appears. He swears eternal love to her. Conchita and Rezanov are together — they are happy.
Act Two
Differences in faith become an insurmountable obstacle in the path of the two lovers. Rezanov decides to sail to Russia to obtain permission to marry a Catholic. The lovers part.
On the way to St. Petersburg, Rezanov dies. The last moments of his life are devoted to memories of his beloved, whose image merges for him with the heavenly image of the Mother of God — a symbol of light, purity and goodness. The sailors mourn the death of their captain.
Conchita waits for the return of her beloved. Years and decades pass in hope and expectation… Never learning of Rezanov’s death, she dies.
Epilogue
The lovers have died, but their love and devotion are immortal.
People of the twentieth century!
Our twentieth century is drawing to a close.
Will humanity forever remain without an answer
To the question of harmony?..
Alleluia to the loving couple!
Quarreling and celebrating, we have forgotten
Why we came to this earth —
Alleluia to love, alleluia!
Historical Note
Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov (1764–1807) was an outstanding Russian traveler and statesman, one of the founders of the Russian-American Trading Company. He came from a modest noble family of the Smolensk province. He served as a lieutenant in the Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment and later held the positions of Chief Secretary of the Civil Department and Manager of the Main Directorate of the Russian-American Company.
In 1806 he undertook a journey to California, where he helped establish trade relations between the Russian-American Company and Spanish colonists. On the return journey to Russia, he died in Krasnoyarsk.
«Juno» and «Avos» were the names of the ships on which Rezanov made his voyage.
Archived
“Juno and Avos” — a dramatic story of love, faith, and destiny in the form of a rhythm-rock ballet.
A. Rybnikov
«Juno» and «Avos»
Libretto by A. Dementyev
Based on the poem «Avos!» by A. Voznesensky
Rhythm-rock ballet in two acts
At the Abay Opera House, the premiere took place on 1987
Production team:
Choreographer – Anatoliy Dementiev, honored artist of Russia
Stage designer – Alexey Kryukov, honored art worker of Russia
Costume designer – Era Pokrovskaya
Prologue
During a church service, the Holy Fool tells of the hard fate, hardships and sufferings of the people.
Act One
Chamberlain Count Rezanov asks permission to organize the first expedition to the shores of America on the ships «Juno» and «Avos». In his opinion, this will establish trade and political relations between the two countries and contribute to the prosperity of Russia.
Rezanov mourns the death of his wife. He turns to the icon of the Mother of God. It seems to him that the image comes alive — the Mother of God becomes a woman and comforts him. Unexpectedly, permission is granted to equip the expedition to America.
Rezanov gathers a crew of sailors and sets sail. The Holy Fool accompanies him. He protects the Count during the dangerous and difficult journey and helps him in hard moments. Overcoming many hardships, the pioneers reach the shores of California.
The Governor of San Francisco gives a ball in honor of the guests from distant Russia. At the ball, the Count meets the young Conchita, the Governor’s daughter. He is struck by the girl’s beauty and charm. She reminds him of the image of the Mother of God descending from the icon.
Conchita remains alone. She has fallen in love with the Russian sailor who invited her to dance. During her prayer, Rezanov appears. He swears eternal love to her. Conchita and Rezanov are together — they are happy.
Act Two
Differences in faith become an insurmountable obstacle in the path of the two lovers. Rezanov decides to sail to Russia to obtain permission to marry a Catholic. The lovers part.
On the way to St. Petersburg, Rezanov dies. The last moments of his life are devoted to memories of his beloved, whose image merges for him with the heavenly image of the Mother of God — a symbol of light, purity and goodness. The sailors mourn the death of their captain.
Conchita waits for the return of her beloved. Years and decades pass in hope and expectation… Never learning of Rezanov’s death, she dies.
Epilogue
The lovers have died, but their love and devotion are immortal.
People of the twentieth century!
Our twentieth century is drawing to a close.
Will humanity forever remain without an answer
To the question of harmony?..
Alleluia to the loving couple!
Quarreling and celebrating, we have forgotten
Why we came to this earth —
Alleluia to love, alleluia!
Historical Note
Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov (1764–1807) was an outstanding Russian traveler and statesman, one of the founders of the Russian-American Trading Company. He came from a modest noble family of the Smolensk province. He served as a lieutenant in the Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment and later held the positions of Chief Secretary of the Civil Department and Manager of the Main Directorate of the Russian-American Company.
In 1806 he undertook a journey to California, where he helped establish trade relations between the Russian-American Company and Spanish colonists. On the return journey to Russia, he died in Krasnoyarsk.
«Juno» and «Avos» were the names of the ships on which Rezanov made his voyage.
Cast and Performers
(February 27, 2026, 19:00)
- Count Rezanov Syrym Ayupov
- Conchita, daughter of the Governor of San Francisco Aiman Egisbaeva
- The Holy Fool Akyl Juas
- Governor of San Francisco Aziz Yessenbayev
- Ballet Company of the Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Abay
- Choreographer Anatoliy Dementiev, Honored Artist of Russia
- Stage Designer Alexey Kryukov, Honored Art Worker of Russia
- Costume Designer Era Pokrovskaya
- Artistic Director of the Ballet Company Gulzhan Tutkibayeva, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- The performance is accompanied by a phonogram
Gallery
Gallery
