The opera “Aida,” one of the major productions of the State Opera and Ballet, was presented to art lovers in all of its magnificence at the Congresium Stage for the first time in the capital Ankara on Oct. 19, 2019.
The opera “Aida,” which is about the impossible love of the brave commander Radames and the captive Abyssinian Princess Aida, was staged at the Ancient Theatre of Aspendos last month. “Aida,” which has gone down in history as the “most beautiful opera” by Giuseppe Verdi, the famous Italian composer from the 19th Century School of Italian Opera, captivated audiences with its magnificent decor and costumes at the Congresium Stage in Ankara for the first time.
Directed by famous Italian director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, “Aida” received great acclaim from the audience at the Ancient Theatre of Aspendos. That time, it was performed by the cast of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet with magnificent decor and costumes.
In turn, Feryal Türkoğlu, Nurdan Küçükekmekçi and Burçin Savıgne took on the role of “Aida,” Murat Karahan, Efe Kışlalı and Koray Damcıoğlu will play “Radames,” Ferda Yetişer, Ezgi Karakaya and Zeliha Kökçek will play “Amneris,” and Eralp Kıyıcı and Gürgan Gürgen took on the role of “Amonasro.” Again, alternately, the artists of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Antonio Pirolli and conductor Can Okan, accompanied the performers.
At the Congresium on the evening of Oct. 19, art lovers had the opportunity to watch the “Radames” performance of “Aida” staged by State Opera and Ballet’s general manager and general art director, tenor Murat Karahan, at Italy’s historical Arena Di Verona and Antalya’s Ancient Theatre of Aspendos last summer. Feryal Türkoğlu sang “Aida” in the show.
The decor for the work was designed by Özgür Usta, the costumes by Savaş Camgöz and Gürcan Kubilay, and the lighting by Giovanni Pirandello; the choir was led by Giampaolo Vessella. Sergei Terechenko choreographed the production, which also featured ballet and children’s ballet performers from Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
Last but not least, grateful thanks to General Director Murat Karahan who wished fom the bottom of his heart the return of the grand operas in Turkey and gave the right means to achieve this important decision.
Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong 