Kairgul Sartbayeva, People's Artist of the USSR, Dies

Kyrgyz opera singer and People's Artist of the USSR Kairgul Sartbayeva died at the age of 90, Kabar reports.

Sartbayeva was born on June 20, 1936, in the village of Kara-Bulak in Kemin District. She graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky and from 1962 worked as a soloist at the Kyrgyz State Opera and Ballet Theatre.

During her creative career, the singer performed more than 50 opera roles, including Aichürok in the opera "Aichürok," Kanykey in "Manas," Tatiana in "Eugene Onegin," Butterfly in "Cio-Cio-San," and the title role in "Aida." Approximately 600 arias, romances, and other musical works performed by her were included in the "Golden Fund" of the Kyrgyz National Television and Radio Corporation.

Sartbayeva also engaged in teaching and from 1986 to 1989 served as rector of the Kyrgyz State Institute of Arts named after Bübüsary Beyshenalyeva. In 1980, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR.