People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR Anvar Kuttubaeva. Part - 2

Anvar Kuttubaeva. Part - 2

The theater gradually expanded, its ensemble was replenished with talented artists with good voices. Russian composers V. Vlasov, V. Fere, and experienced artistic director, conductor V. Tselikovsky, along with our composer-melodist Abdylaas Maldybaev, and librettists D. Bokonbaev, J. Turusbekov, and K. Malikov began working on the creation of the first Kyrgyz opera "Aichurek," based on one of the episodes of the epic "Manas." This period in the history of Kyrgyz art can be considered the time of the birth of domestic classical music. "Aichurek" was first performed on April 12, 1939 — this date is celebrated as the birthday of Kyrgyz opera.

In the second half of the 1930s, the decades of the Central Asian republics took place, showcasing achievements in literature and art. The First Decade of Kyrgyz Art in Moscow opened on May 26, 1939.

In addition to the opera "Aichurek," "Altyn Kyz," "Ajal Orduna," and a large concluding concert featuring the best artists: komuz players, improvisers, singers, dancers, etc., were presented. Anvar Kuttubaeva was one of the main figures of the decade. In musical dramas, she played leading roles, and in "Aichurek," she portrayed Kalyman, Aichurek's little sister. Her partner was Abdylaas Maldybaev as Külchoro. Anvar already had a certain stage and acting experience, and she successfully handled the role.

Participants of the decade reported that the Moscow audience enthusiastically received the duet's performance. Anvar overshadowed the main performers. Moscow musicologist V. Gorodinsky wrote in "Komsomolskaya Pravda" on May 27, 1939: "Among the performers, we must place the honored artist of the Kyrgyz SSR A. Kuttubaeva in the first place, who performed the role of Kalyman. She sang and played wonderfully, vividly reminding us of the 'Kazakh nightingale' Kulyash Baiseitova. We would not be mistaken if we placed her in the same league with Kulyash Baiseitova and Khalima Nasyrova in terms of strength and character of talent." Thus, Anvar was considered equal to the prima donnas of Kazakh and Uzbek opera theaters. This was the highest assessment of her talent.

Moscow awarded the talented actress the Order of Lenin following the results of the decade, and the republic's government granted her the title of People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR. Among the leading artists at the First Decade of Kyrgyz Art, she and, of course, Abdylaas Maldybaev received the highest praise and sympathy from the audience.

The October Revolution gave a boost to the development of theatrical and musical arts in the republics. Kulyash Baiseitova and Anvar Kuttubaeva did not possess powerful voices. They had a pleasant lyric-coloratura soprano. These singers did not graduate from conservatories; they were self-taught and achieved heights solely due to their natural talent and hard work. The vocal abilities of these actresses and the conditions for the development of their creativity were at the same level. Their voices did not allow them to sing complex parts; nevertheless, they were the first to lift the veil and turn the first page of the emerging opera art, being the first to convey the unique culture of their peoples to the audience.

The decade inspired Anvar, and impressed by the success, she continued her work with great enthusiasm. In 1939, the theater began staging the Azerbaijani musical comedy "Arshin Mal Alan." Anvar played the role of Asiya. Her character was a playful little darling, a mischievous girl. Creative teams from the country exchanged performances and concert programs at that time. In addition to the comedy "Arshin Mal Alan," the Kazakh opera "Kyz Zhibek" became a favorite performance of the Kyrgyz audience. Anvar Kuttubaeva also performed the role of Zhibek. This was her signature role. Then followed the creation of the characters Cholpon in the opera "Kokul" and Shaiyr in "Patriots," staged at the end of 1941. The theater's ensemble noted that the beautiful Anvar enjoyed immense success, and Vlasov and Fere carried her on their hands.

During the Great Patriotic War, theaters across the country launched active patronage work to support the front. Masters of Kyrgyz art created seven concert brigades that traveled to military units of the Kalinin, Belarusian, Leningrad, and Ukrainian fronts. One of them was led by A. Kuttubaeva. The brigade served the military units of the Bryansk front, commanded by Konstantin Rokossovsky.

Anvar's talent and charm did not go unnoticed by the marshal. Warm friendly relations were established between them, which continued in the form of correspondence even after the war, in peacetime.

…By then, Kuttubaeva had already experienced years of war and intense labor. The opera theater expanded, and young talents arrived. The ensemble was also enriched by evacuated musicians and artists who wished to stay in Kyrgyzstan for permanent work after the war. Anvar was invited as a leading soloist to the Kyrgyz Philharmonic.

Especially for her, a song and dance ensemble was created. Her repertoire included Russian, Kyrgyz, Chinese, Uzbek, Ukrainian, Romanian, and other songs. She performed them at a high musical level, preserving their uniqueness and national color. With this ensemble, Anvar toured not only the USSR but also democratic countries. Concerts always ended with encores.

The singer had nearly 30 years of experience, and systematic touring became too much. In 1952, A. Kuttubaeva transitioned to the Kyrgyz State Drama Theater, where she also created a number of unforgettable characters: in T. Abdumomunov's play "Daughter of Atabek," she revealed the unique character of the urban woman Kalbubu, and in K. Jantoshev's epic drama "Kurmanbek," she portrayed the fearless girl Gulai. In K. Malikov's play, Anvar used satire to depict the image of the promiscuous Kudaissokkonova. Her work in the drama theater marked the end of Anvar Kuttubaeva's labor activity, from where she retired.

The word "first" is most applicable to Kuttubaeva: the first leading actress of the first Kyrgyz theater; the first soloist and singer; the first woman awarded the Order of Lenin; the first to be honored with the high title of People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR. If we say that A. Maldybaev and A. Kuttubaeva laid the foundation for opera art in Kyrgyzstan, we would not be straying from the truth.

The land of Kyrgyzstan is rich in glorious heroes, famous scholars, talented leaders, writers, composers, artists, and so on. And one of them was Anvar. Such people have left us a tremendous legacy — the moral foundation of our lives. It is our duty to remember them.

People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR Anvar Kuttubaeva. Part - 1