Umut Yasar – Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong

YUSUF_EMRE_TURAN_AIDA_TEMSIL_CONGRESIUM_170 — “Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB

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.

YUSUF_EMRE_TURAN_AIDA_TEMSIL_CONGRESIUM_22 — “Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB

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.

YUSUF_EMRE_TURAN_AIDA_TEMSIL_CONGRESIUM_15 — “Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB

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.

YUSUF_EMRE_TURAN_AIDA_TEMSIL_CONGRESIUM_56 — “Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB

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.

YUSUF_EMRE_TURAN_AIDA_TEMSIL_CONGRESIUM_127 — “Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB

YUSUF_EMRE_TURAN_AIDA_TEMSIL_CONGRESIUM_175 — “Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB

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.

Organized by the Culture and Tourism Ministry State Opera and Ballet General Directorate, the Opera International Festival of Istanbul celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and continue until July 14 at the Istanbul Zorlu Performing Arts Center (PSM).

Popolo di Pechino — Elegant Umut Kosman as the Mandarin

Opening the Festival, the Ankara State Opera and Ballet presented “Turandot”, the last opera of Giacomo Puccini on July 2 and 3.

La sconfitta di Turandot — Lilla Lee (Turandot) recognises her defeat in front of her father, the Emperor Altoum ( Cem Akyùz)

Staged by famous Italian guest director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, the leading role in “Turandot” opera was performed by Korean soloist Lilla Lee on July 2 and Kazakh soloist Zhupar Gabdullina on July 3.

66293095_10158689289905299_4053001826524463104_n — Efe Kislali & Lilla Lee

The Prömiyer was a great success and the Korean Turandot Lilla Lee was very much appreciated by the audience, as well as the delicate sensituìivity of yourg Conductor, Maestro Murat Cem Orhan.

Ping Pang Pong — Wonderful Ping (çetin Kiranbay), Pang (Emre Akkus) and Pong (Arda Dogan)

Needless to say that Tenor Efe Kislali as Calaf was requested to sing once again the famous aria “Nessun Dorma” and was triumphally celebrated, as well as Tugba Mankal Dekak and Seda Araci Ayazli (Liù), together with Şafak Güç and Ozgür Savaş Gençtürk, fantastic Timur !

As reported by the cultural autorities of Kazakhstan, “Vocal skills, beauty, and power of voice, bright acting talent of sought-after opera singer Zhupar Gabdullina are widely known to the audience in many countries. Most recently, the Principal Soloist performed with great success in Turkey at the opening of the anniversary 10th International Istanbul Festival of Opera and Ballet, where she presented the title role of Turandot in Giacomo Puccini’s eponymous opera. There was not a single empty seat in the concert hall Zorlu PSM Studio, designed for 2500 viewers. Turkish viewers gave a standing ovation to the Kazakh artist.”

65780925_10158680387770299_7635420587690557440_n — James Lee and Lilla Lee

The Korean tenor, James Lee was also highly appreciated by the Zorlu audience and the clamourous success of Turandot was celebrated until late that night by all artists of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet and their guests.