ABLAY KHAN

The sage Bukhar-zhyrau laments the never-ending war between the Kazakhs and the Dzungars. Will there ever be a hero who can lead his people? Diuana (the fool) runs in and tells, with a chilling excitement, that a war has started anew.

The people are confused, cries of “The enemy is upon us!” It’s the dzungar army lead by the warrior Sharysh. He is arrogant and aggressive: “You will kneel before us!” While hurling insults and humiliating words, he calls out for the one brave enough to fight him.

An unknown young man named Abilmansur accepts his challenge. He defeats Sharysh after a difficult fight; Diuana holds up the severed head of the Dzungar warrior. Kazakhs cheer, they are astonished: “Who are you, unknown hero?” Abilmansur tells of his difficult life. The people express their gratefulness. Abilmansur ensures them: “I will not surrender until I destroy the enemy. Bless me, Fatherland; follow me, embrace me”.

Enemies capture Abilmansur during his hunt. Diuana comes to the encaged youth and jeers at him, and only the appearance of the sage Bukhar-zhyrau forces the fool to leave. Suddenly, Topysh, the daughter of the terrible Dzungar ruler Kaldan Seren, emerges from the dark. Appearing as a fairy-tale bird, a Golden Owl, she tries to seduce Abilmansur with her smooth words and beauty. The prisoner won’t be swayed and he turns her and her retinue away saying: “When there are too many females, the dog turns away”. Topysh leaves in fury, having ordered the guards to teach the arrogant man a lesson; the guards are well versed in this.

Abilmansur’s thoughts are full of pain and grief – his country is troubled once more, dreams of happiness of the people are not coming true, many ordeals have been suffered, still many to come.

A wonderful vision comes to the young man amidst the moonlight – it is the young Kulpash – Kaldan Seren’s future wife, appearing as a Silver Owl. She misses her homeland and pities the prisoner.

Dzungar khan Kaldan Seren is his palace, mulling over: “Who is this unknown hero that has defeated the warrior Sharysh?” His subjects claim that he is a highborn warrior; his pride, strength and bravery are beyond doubt. On one hand, the Russians want his freedom; on the other hand the Shurshuts will not leave him in peace. Kaldan Seren orders to bring him the prisoner. After the Dzungar khan’s subjects attack Abilmansur, the prisoner and the khan are left alone, trying to read each other’s minds. Kaldan Seren offers Abilmansur to drink from the golden and the silver cups. Seeing how Abilmansur drank in turn of the offered drinks, Kaldan Seren expresses his satisfaction: “You drank from the silver cup, therefore, you are satisfied with me; you drank from the golden one, therefore, you are equal to me. God bless you!”

Festive gathering. The herald announces the hero’s return from captivity. The Kazakh khan Abilmambet gives half of his khanate to Abilmansur – who is named Ablai Khan. The people are happy: “Our falcon has returned, the light of hope shines again!” Noblemen carry Ablai Khan on a white felt blanket in acknowledgment of him as their khan.

Numerous guests and ambassadors from other countries have come to congratulate the new khan. A messenger informs that the uisin representative Tole Bi desires to call a meeting, enemies are plotting against them. The treacherous Topysh enters. Politics has done its job, she is now Ablai Khan’s wife. She is hatching up a hellish plan – to destroy all the heirs to the Dzungar throne, have Ablai Khan’s son and become the wife of a khan of two khanates. Horrified, Ablai Khan sees her brother Lama-Dorzhy’s heart in her hands, which she ripped out of his chest. The great khan barely manages to pull himself together. Ambassador reception begins. The Russian ambassador extends the Russian Tsar’s invitation to visit a fair in Kyzylzhar and asks about Amir Sana, Kaldan Seren’s descendant. The Chinese ambassador presents the reward from the ruler of the Celestial Empire – a rank of an Honourable hero of his country and professions of friendship and loyalty, and also would like to know of Amir Sana’s whereabouts, which surprises Ablai Khan. Why the sudden interest in Amir Sana? The Dzungars are not a trifling enemy; we do not want unnecessary problems. Suddenly, he recognizes Amir Sana in a youth who has just entered. God! He looks exactly like the young Kulpash. Amir Sana speaks of his mother’s death, all the while Ablai Khan relives that wonderful night, when the beautiful silver bird called Kulpash flew into his cage. Topysh enters, and she doesn’t recognize Amir Sana as her brother: “I do not have any relations among oirats”. Ablai Khan decides to save Amir Sana. Suddenly, Botakhan and Zhakai, rulers of Kazakh clans, barge in and demand that Amir Sana is given to them, threatening the khan with insubordination and a rebellion of the Kazakhs. Ablai Khan orders his guards to put them into shackles for their impudence; he will not change his decision! They must have many on their side, or they would behave in such a manner. Well, let the people decide!

The square is filled with indignant people. It is clear there is resentment over the khan’s actions, which are being stoked on by a group of conspirators preparing an attempt to assassinate Ablai. A gunshot. A young warrior named Zhanak prevents the murder. Ablai Khan addresses the people: “I will not give up my honour for the throne, you can take it away, but you have forgotten who brought peace to your land, who ended the clan feuds”. The clan chiefs decide to convene a council and make the final decision.

The Khan's palace – Ablai is on the throne, with the clan chiefs headed by Bukhar-zhyrau on his right, and the warriors on his left. Bukhar-zhyrau calls for peace and calm. We have enemies that are waiting for us to start wars among ourselves. The people’s representatives ask Ablai to rule the country and to lead it forth under the banner of victory. The Kazakh warriors gather their troops and take to the field in the name of the happy future and with dreams of a free country.