16th Aspendos Festival opens again with ’Aida’
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolian Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 11, 2009 00:00
ANTALYA - The 16th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival started yesterday in the ancient Aspendos Theater in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. Just as in previous years, the festival opened with Guiseppe Verdi’s 'Aida' opera.
Opening the same day as the 60th anniversary of the state opera in Turkey, the 16th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival started yesterday with a performance of "Aida." "It is a great pleasure to start the festival on such an important date for us," said State Opera and Ballet General Director Rengim Gökmen, adding that the State Opera and Ballet directorates in six cities had brought together art and audiences.
In order to preserve the ancient Aspendos Theater, located in the Mediterranean city of Antalya’s Serik district, this year they limited the number of viewers to 2,500, Gökmen said.
Gökmen said opera and ballet were the criteria of modernity. "Opera touches the deepest of people’s perceptions. Societies that are involved in opera are the developed ones," he added. Gökmen said the State Opera and Ballet would perform around the country in two years and that the Mersin State Opera and Ballet would perform in 12 cities in eastern and southeastern Turkey. He added that the performances by the State Opera and Ballet would be extended throughout the year.
Gökmen mentioned that the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival was one of the most important members of the World Festivals Union. "The festival will have its brightest period despite the economic crisis this year."
Gökmen said the ancient Aspendos Theater was very special and unique, just like the events performed there. He said it was a privilege to view performances there, and added, "Do not leave this world before viewing a performance in Aspendos." Gökmen said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism gave permission only for acoustic events in order to preserve the ancient theater. "We have been performing in a theater having the best acoustic conditions for 16 years. We want to preserve this historic heritage and keep it for the next generations. This is why we have limited the viewer capacity to 2,500. All performances will be acoustic without any sound systems."
Gökmen said the name "Aspendos" was well known in international art circles, adding that the festival was also a tourist attraction at the same time, and he asked for support from the district administrations in the region.
Opening with ’Aida’
The 16th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival opened yesterday with Guiseppe Verdi’s "Aida" opera, the expected opening performance of the festival. The Ankara State Opera and Ballet performed the opera, directed by Italian Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini. Guest artists of the performance were U.S. soprano Adina Aaron and Italian tenor Guiseppe Palmieri.The second performance of "Aida" will be by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet tomorrow. Gökmen will direct the orchestra.
As part of the festival, the Ankara State Opera and Ballet will perform "Giselle," a ballet, on June 16, and the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet will perform "Carmen," an opera, on June 19. Other performances will be "Carmina Burana," the ballet version, by the Mersin State Opera and Ballet on June 26; "Romeo and Juliet," an opera by the İzmir State Opera and Ballet on June 30; and Puccini’s "Tosca" by the Prague State Opera and Ballet on June 23. The festival will end July 3 with a performance by the Doğuş Children Symphony Orchestra.
In order to preserve the ancient Aspendos Theater, located in the Mediterranean city of Antalya’s Serik district, this year they limited the number of viewers to 2,500, Gökmen said.
Gökmen said opera and ballet were the criteria of modernity. "Opera touches the deepest of people’s perceptions. Societies that are involved in opera are the developed ones," he added. Gökmen said the State Opera and Ballet would perform around the country in two years and that the Mersin State Opera and Ballet would perform in 12 cities in eastern and southeastern Turkey. He added that the performances by the State Opera and Ballet would be extended throughout the year.
Gökmen mentioned that the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival was one of the most important members of the World Festivals Union. "The festival will have its brightest period despite the economic crisis this year."
Gökmen said the ancient Aspendos Theater was very special and unique, just like the events performed there. He said it was a privilege to view performances there, and added, "Do not leave this world before viewing a performance in Aspendos." Gökmen said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism gave permission only for acoustic events in order to preserve the ancient theater. "We have been performing in a theater having the best acoustic conditions for 16 years. We want to preserve this historic heritage and keep it for the next generations. This is why we have limited the viewer capacity to 2,500. All performances will be acoustic without any sound systems."
Gökmen said the name "Aspendos" was well known in international art circles, adding that the festival was also a tourist attraction at the same time, and he asked for support from the district administrations in the region.
Opening with ’Aida’
The 16th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival opened yesterday with Guiseppe Verdi’s "Aida" opera, the expected opening performance of the festival. The Ankara State Opera and Ballet performed the opera, directed by Italian Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini. Guest artists of the performance were U.S. soprano Adina Aaron and Italian tenor Guiseppe Palmieri.The second performance of "Aida" will be by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet tomorrow. Gökmen will direct the orchestra.
As part of the festival, the Ankara State Opera and Ballet will perform "Giselle," a ballet, on June 16, and the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet will perform "Carmen," an opera, on June 19. Other performances will be "Carmina Burana," the ballet version, by the Mersin State Opera and Ballet on June 26; "Romeo and Juliet," an opera by the İzmir State Opera and Ballet on June 30; and Puccini’s "Tosca" by the Prague State Opera and Ballet on June 23. The festival will end July 3 with a performance by the Doğuş Children Symphony Orchestra.