The Plot Outline of the Ballet "Kuyruchuk" from 1960

“KUYRUCHUK”

From the very beginning, talented Kyrgyz composers have actively participated in the development of Kyrgyz opera art. The names of Abdylas Maldybaev, Akhmat Amanbaev, Mukash Abdrayev — authors of operatic music — are widely known.

However, Kyrgyz composers did not work in the field of ballet until recently. It was only in 1960 that the ballet “Kuyruchuk” was created, written by K. Moldobasanov in collaboration with Leningrad composer G. Okunev.

Kalyi Moldobasanov showed an interest in music from childhood. This led him to a music school, which he graduated with two specializations — violin and conducting. He then studied at the Moscow Conservatory, and in 1954, Kalyi Moldobasanov became the conductor of the opera theater. In 1967, he was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR. Under his direction, a number of productions were staged: “The Bartered Bride” by B. Smetana, “The Little Hut” by I. Polishchuk, “Spanish Caprice” by N. Rimsky-Korsakov, “Egyptian Nights” by A. Arensky, “Francesca da Rimini” by P. I. Tchaikovsky, “The Young Lady and the Hooligan” by D. Shostakovich, and others.

Alongside his conducting activities, K. Moldobasanov also worked as a composer. He wrote a number of songs, marches, pieces, and his first major work — the ballet “Kuyruchuk.”

The dramatic basis of this work consists of episodes from the life of the popular Kyrgyz comic Kudaibergen Omurzakov, known by the name Kuyruchuk. With sharp words and cunning tricks, he exposed the stupidity and narrow-mindedness, malice, and greed of the beys, manaps, and their servants before the entire people.

The poor rejoiced when Kuyruchuk managed to make fun of the beys. Some paid him with love and recognition, others with fierce malice.

Kuyruchuk was inexhaustible in his inventions, jokes, and tricks; his name became a legend. Now the image of Kuyruchuk is embodied in the ballet (libretto by N. Tugelov).

On the surface, the plot outline of the ballet seems to somewhat repeat previous ballet performances of the Kyrgyz theater. Indeed, the poor herdsman Sadik loves Zeynep — the daughter of the manap Kuldzhigach. The father is preparing a wealthy suitor for her — Sarybay. But after a series of adventures, everything turns out as well as possible: Sadik and Zeynep end up together.

However, one could only speak of a repetition of the plot scheme if the matter were limited to such a situation.

A deeper analysis shows that this plot is merely a pretext for revealing a social idea, of which Kuyruchuk is the bearer. He introduces an element of sharp satire into the action, causing the traditional plot to take on new colors. This once again confirms the old truth: it is important not only what, but also how.

The fact is that it is Kuyruchuk who disrupts the wedding of Sarybay and Zeynep. In doing so, he displays such liveliness and inexhaustible inventiveness that he becomes the true hero of the action.

According to the authors' concept, Kuyruchuk is a generalized image of a friend and defender of the poor. Both power and wealth were in the hands of the manaps. But even the wealthy had to reckon with public opinion. And people like Kuyruchuk often became the expressers of the people's opinion. Therefore, the wealthy were wary of the sharp-tongued joker and jester.

Kuyruchuk and those like him were inseparably connected with the people.

They shared both joy and sorrow. The poor often turned to Kuyruchuk: “Help!..” And Kuyruchuk helped. As he could. One such case is recounted in the contemporary ballet performance. In this life foundation lies the secret of its appeal.

The performance begins with an exposition. Here comes Kuyruchuk — Evgeny Voievodkin. He has a kurdzhun over his shoulder.

It is evident that he is coming from afar, and his legs seem not to know fatigue. The poor herdsman Sadik catches up with Kuyruchuk and asks him for something persuasively. Kuyruchuk pauses for a moment, then, with a sly wink, hands Sadik his kurdzhun...

Thus, the audience is introduced to Kuyruchuk. From now on, he will be consumed with the concern of how to best help his young friends. At the moment when Sarybay's horsemen separate Sadik and Zeynep, Kuyruchuk stands in a waiting pose, pinching an imaginary beard. However, his expression does not convey confusion. On the contrary, looking at him, one feels that not everything is lost yet.

The inexhaustible humor of the hero is especially evident in the second scene, which is engagingly crafted, fresh, and leaves a great impression. To shame Sarybay and his lackeys, Kuyruchuk devises a risky trick, agreeing to a contest with the khan's hero Batyrbek (who is wittily portrayed by A. Karasev). Skillfully dodging the enemy and using his clumsiness, Kuyruchuk constantly puts his opponent in a ridiculous position. This incites Batyrbek's vengeful fury. But when he thinks he has finally caught up with Kuyruchuk, the latter slips away, leaving the hero with nothing.

This scene turns into a lively and captivating action, resulting in the enemy being ridiculed; Zeynep, taking advantage of the confusion, escapes, and Kuyruchuk comes out unscathed.

While recounting this encounter with the bey to his friends, he is certainly not averse to boasting a little, but he does not regret what he has done at all. Why should he! To shame the arrogant beys like this! But Kuyruchuk does not stop there. In the next scene, he cleverly gets his enemies drunk on strong brew, causing them to fall dead drunk, and then plays a cruel joke on them.

The climax of his tricks is the scene when he appears in the attire of a shaman and convinces Zeynep's father — the old Kuldzhigach — that it is the wedding to Sadik, not to Sarybay, that is pleasing to Allah.

Everything ends well for Sadik and Zeynep. They warmly thank Kuyruchuk. He helped their happiness. The action returns to the moment when we first met Kuyruchuk in the exposition. He is once again ready to set off, and Sadik hands him the kurdzhun. Kuyruchuk easily throws it over his shoulder, waves goodbye cheerfully, and leaves.

However, this is not a farewell, but merely a parting. Kuyruchuk is always among the people, among ordinary folks.

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