Concert hall and theaters.
information about the entertainments of Tatarstan

There are 16 theaters in Tatarstan, G. Toukai Tatar State Philharmonic, several state orchestras. International and Republican festivals and competitions are traditionally held in the Republic and among them the International Opera Festival named after F.I. Shalyapin, the Festival of Classic Ballet named after Rudolf Nuriev, Festival of Tatar Song Performers "Tatar Zhyry", Festival of Concertina Players named after F. Tuishev, Festival of Theatrical Art n.a. K. Tinchurin, Vocalists Festival n.a. S. Saidashev.

Concert Hall of Kazan Conservatory

During 1994-1996 the Concert Hall of Kazan Conservatory was under reconstruction. Now it has a title of Big Concert Hall of Tatarstan Republic.

At the beginning of June 1996, two presidents (of Russia and Tatarstan - B.Eltzin and M.Shaimiyev ) were present at the opening of reconstructed hall. B.Eltzin has reported federal financial aid is to be alloted to purchase new organ for the hall (it was already being manufactured abroad in that time). The picture of the awaited instrument was demonstrated on the currently blank wall above the scene, by means of slide projectors of Austrian firm PANI. On our initiative the available technique was used to reproduce slide-music compositions (image size about 100 square metres). At the opening ceremony the symphonic orchestra, under the guidance of F.Mansurov, presented composition to Nazib Zhiganov's music "Native Tatarstan", accompanied by slide projections show, prepared with our assistance.

Theatres in Tatarstan:

• "Aekiyat" Tatar State Puppet Theatre
• Tatar Drama Theatre (Almetiyevsk)
• Russian Drama Theatre (Bugulma)
• Tatar State Academic Theatre n.a. Galiaskar Kamal
• Tatar State Drama and Comedy Theatre n.a. Karim Tinchourin
• Kazan State Theatre of Young Spectator
• Kazan Tatar State Theatre of Young Spectator
• Opera and Ballet Tatar State Academic Theatre n.a. Musa Jalil
• Puppet Theatre (Nabarezhnye Chelny)
• Tatar Drama Theatre (Naberezhnye Chelny)
• Tatar Drama Theatre n.a. S. Amutbayev (Menzelinsk)

Kazan Opera and Ballet Theatre

The history of M. Jalil Opera and Ballet Tatar Academic Theatre originates from December, 1938. The troop of the theatre desevedly relates to one of the best operatic and choreographic collectives in Russia.

International Shaliapin Opera Festival is held in Kazan Opera and Ballet Theatre annually, bringing together performers from all over the world in memory of the great bass who born and spent his youth in Kazan.

Rudolf Nuriev, the world-renowned ballet dancer of Tatar descent, conducted the opera orchestra in Kazan. More than fifteen years Nuriyev was a star of the London royal ballet and was the constant partner of great English ballerina Margo Fontein. International Nuriev Ballet Festival in now held each year in his memory.

G. Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre

The founder of Tatar dramatic art - Galiaskar Kamal is one of the initiators of artistic translations of Russian writers into the Tatar language.

The history of the theatre n.a. Galiaskar Kamal dates from 1791. It is one of the most ancient theatres in Russia and is the first theatre in Kazan. Such famous Russian actors as Pavel Mochalov, Mikhail Schepkin, Pelageya Strepetova, Vasili Kachalov and others played on the boards of this theatre. The theatre participated in international dramatic festivals, held in Vilnyus, Cairo, Marcelle, Moscow, Pskov.

The theatre now is one of the most popular among the national theatres in the country. The young actors are working together with the masters. The director Farit Bikchentayev graduated from the GITIS in Moscow. He has staged about 20 performances in the theatre.