We attended one of the final rehearsals of the play, therefore, looking ahead, we can confidently say: the new work will impress with the musical and poetic foundation, the organic combination of classical opera canons and the original art of Bagshi narrators, as well as an authentic reading of the epic.
According to the authors of the scenic version of the old destan - librettist, People's Writer of Turkmenistan Govshutgeldy Danatarov, composer, Honored Artist Nurygandym Hojamuhammedov and stage director, Honored Artist Aynazar Batyrov – the choice for the literary basis is caused by an opportunity to enrich the canvas of the opera narration with the distinctive sound of dutar, the specific techniques of folk singing. Since the Dashoguz Velayat is hosting the Week of Culture this year, the creators devote their work to Kunya Urgench, - the land with rich history and unique monuments of archeology and spirituality.
... From ancient times it was believed that in order to gain a musical gift it was necessary to make a pilgrimage to the grave of Ashik Aydin and spend a night there, playing dutar and performing destans. If the saint recognizes talent at a pilgrim, then he will bless him for practicing music ...
The performance starts with the fact that the ruler - Soltanesen, in a conversation with visiting merchants, asked what impression Urgench had made on them. The merchants replied that they had heard a lot about the beauty of this land, its skillful musicians, but they had not yet been able to hear bagshi’s performance. Then bagshi of the royal household, Elbent performed a heartfelt ballad about beautiful Sona, who appeared in his dreams and who he was dreaming of. The guests said that they knew this young woman, she was the widow of the vizier in their kingdom.
Elbent started his trip to find his beloved one and returned home with Sona and her little son. Loving his wife and living with her in harmony, he cannot overcome his distaste for his stepson - Nejep oglan ... Since childhood, the young man demonstrated interest in playing dutar, and achieved great success. He was not supported by his family and left house to ask the patron of music - Ashik Aydin to become his mentor ...
Once, the ill daughter of the Sultan - Mylayym, to whom the best doctors couldn’t help, was brought to Ashik Aydin. Ashik Aydin said that the miraculous power of the art of Bagshi can save a girl from amental disease, and Nejep oglan possessed this gift. On the advice of Ashik Aydin, the ruler hired Nejep oglan to serve as a court musician. The young man cured Mylayym with his magical playing. The young people fell in love with each other ... But when it became known about the secret dates between the young people, Nejep oglan could be put to death…
Ashik Aydin advised the ruler to arrange a duel between bagshis and, if Nejep oglan wins the contest, he would be allowed to marry Mylayym.
Nejep oglan gained the victory in the exciting musical contest with Elbent. The wedding scene of the young people - Nejep oglan and Mylayym - becomes a colorful finale of the opera ...
All parties in an epic production are performed by teachers and students of Maya Kuliyeva National Conservatoire: People's Artist of Turkmenistan Atajan Berdiyev (Ashik Aydin), Shatlyk Gurbannazarov (Nejep oglan), Ayjahan Saparova (Mylayym), Begench Moshhiyev (Elbent), Arzygul Gylydjova (Sona), as well as Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Bibijemal Amanova.
