Samsun unveils sixth state opera building
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Kübrakan Güleç
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 09, 2009 00:00
SAMSUN - The Black Sea city of Samsun, where the founder of Turkey, Atatürk, landed on May 19, 1919 and started the War of Independence, now has its own opera and ballet stage. It is the sixth opera house in Turkey following those in Ankara, Istanbul, İzmir, Mersin and Antalya.
The birthplace of the Republic of Turkey, Samsun, has finally unveiled its opera and ballet theater, which had been under construction for many years. Samsun State Opera and Ballet aims to change the atmosphere of the Black Sea region by giving it the magical touch of music.
Although the first attempt to establish Samsun State Opera and Ballet was made years ago, it could only recently be opened because of technical and financial difficulties. With the opening in January, Samsun became Turkey’s sixth city with an opera and ballet stage following Ankara, Istanbul, İzmir, Mersin and Antalya. In addition to presenting high quality art, State Opera buildings are also representative of the change Turkey experienced under Atatürk’s leadership. As Samsun is the city where the Independence War started in 1919, the construction of the stage in Atatürk’s city, as locals call it, was late but still meaningful.
"Samsun is not only a historical and a commercial town but also a university town. Through State Opera and Ballet, Samsun will increase its value as a city of culture and art," general director of Samsun State Opera and Ballet, Kerim Soysal, said in an interview with Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
As one of the most experienced names in his field and former director of the İstanbul State Opera and Ballet, Soysal said Samsun’s geographical position meant it was an appropriate site to host music and ballet.
"Samsun is situated in the heart of the Black Sea region. Thus, we have a wide tourist geography stretching from the Black Sea towns of Kastamonu and Çorum, to even Sivas, a central Anatolian city," he said.
Samsun State and Opera Building is exceptional as only Samsun and Istanbul’s opera buildings were specially designed as opera houses. "Thus, we are very lucky, we have a building that was constructed especially for art," Soysal added.
In addition to housing opera and ballet performances, Samsun is also undergoing change as over a hundred young and experienced artists have recently settled in the city, including experienced opera singer Mehmet Yılmaz.
Different cultures under one musical roof
Yılmaz, who was part of the establishment of the Mersin State Opera and Ballet, now works for the Samsun Opera House. "We aim to modernize by working hand in hand with the people of the city," he said.
Comparing Samsun with Mersin, Yılmaz said there was a multitude of religions in society in Mersin, such as Levantines and Assyrians, and "again there is a multicultural structure in Samsun. It is a very cosmopolitan city. There are people from many different origins, such as Caucasian or Laz. I like this structure," Yılmaz said. Their aim is for these different people to meet under one roof, the roof of music, he added.
Yılmaz is also working on a project to place a piano in each of Samsun’s neighboring cities and villages. "I want to perform an aria in these places and later, sing a folk song with the accompaniment of a ’bağlama’ (a Turkish stringed musical instrument)," he said, adding the performance of these two music types together would attract attention, as locals would find something of their own within it.
"I think Samsun residents are very excited about the establishment of an opera house but the point is to turn this excitement into synergy," Yılmaz said, adding that was their own mission as artists. "We want to change this city into a city of culture and art."
In terms of ticket prices for opera and ballet performances, Turkey is one of the cheapest countries for audiences to attend. "You can watch a high quality opera performance by paying 7 to 10 Turkish liras," Yılmaz said.
Repertoire based on Turkish artists
Samsun State Opera and Ballet will perform many pieces this year. "Our repertoire is mostly based on the works of Turkish artists," the general director said. The first performance will be "Opera Opera," being prepared by stage director Murat Göksu.
Three ballet pieces by Turkish composers and choreographers will be presented in one performance. International classics "Giselle" and "The Barber of Seville" will also be performed. Soysal said they would definitely have audiences for their opening performances.
"I think Samsun residents will maintain their support for upcoming performances. If they do not, it means our country has started to collapse because people are struggling," Soysal added.
Although the first attempt to establish Samsun State Opera and Ballet was made years ago, it could only recently be opened because of technical and financial difficulties. With the opening in January, Samsun became Turkey’s sixth city with an opera and ballet stage following Ankara, Istanbul, İzmir, Mersin and Antalya. In addition to presenting high quality art, State Opera buildings are also representative of the change Turkey experienced under Atatürk’s leadership. As Samsun is the city where the Independence War started in 1919, the construction of the stage in Atatürk’s city, as locals call it, was late but still meaningful.
"Samsun is not only a historical and a commercial town but also a university town. Through State Opera and Ballet, Samsun will increase its value as a city of culture and art," general director of Samsun State Opera and Ballet, Kerim Soysal, said in an interview with Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
As one of the most experienced names in his field and former director of the İstanbul State Opera and Ballet, Soysal said Samsun’s geographical position meant it was an appropriate site to host music and ballet.
"Samsun is situated in the heart of the Black Sea region. Thus, we have a wide tourist geography stretching from the Black Sea towns of Kastamonu and Çorum, to even Sivas, a central Anatolian city," he said.
Samsun State and Opera Building is exceptional as only Samsun and Istanbul’s opera buildings were specially designed as opera houses. "Thus, we are very lucky, we have a building that was constructed especially for art," Soysal added.
In addition to housing opera and ballet performances, Samsun is also undergoing change as over a hundred young and experienced artists have recently settled in the city, including experienced opera singer Mehmet Yılmaz.
Different cultures under one musical roof
Yılmaz, who was part of the establishment of the Mersin State Opera and Ballet, now works for the Samsun Opera House. "We aim to modernize by working hand in hand with the people of the city," he said.
Comparing Samsun with Mersin, Yılmaz said there was a multitude of religions in society in Mersin, such as Levantines and Assyrians, and "again there is a multicultural structure in Samsun. It is a very cosmopolitan city. There are people from many different origins, such as Caucasian or Laz. I like this structure," Yılmaz said. Their aim is for these different people to meet under one roof, the roof of music, he added.
Yılmaz is also working on a project to place a piano in each of Samsun’s neighboring cities and villages. "I want to perform an aria in these places and later, sing a folk song with the accompaniment of a ’bağlama’ (a Turkish stringed musical instrument)," he said, adding the performance of these two music types together would attract attention, as locals would find something of their own within it.
"I think Samsun residents are very excited about the establishment of an opera house but the point is to turn this excitement into synergy," Yılmaz said, adding that was their own mission as artists. "We want to change this city into a city of culture and art."
In terms of ticket prices for opera and ballet performances, Turkey is one of the cheapest countries for audiences to attend. "You can watch a high quality opera performance by paying 7 to 10 Turkish liras," Yılmaz said.
Repertoire based on Turkish artists
Samsun State Opera and Ballet will perform many pieces this year. "Our repertoire is mostly based on the works of Turkish artists," the general director said. The first performance will be "Opera Opera," being prepared by stage director Murat Göksu.
Three ballet pieces by Turkish composers and choreographers will be presented in one performance. International classics "Giselle" and "The Barber of Seville" will also be performed. Soysal said they would definitely have audiences for their opening performances.
"I think Samsun residents will maintain their support for upcoming performances. If they do not, it means our country has started to collapse because people are struggling," Soysal added.