The International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival is set to spotlight Türkiye on the global art stage, according to State Opera and Ballet General Director Tan Sağtürk.
The event, which will open with Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet on June 27, will continue until July 13.
The program also includes Carl Orff’s cantata Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio, Mikis Theodorakis’s Zorba ballet, Verdi’s La Traviata and the opera Aşk-ı Memnu. For children, a play called Şekeronya will be staged.
World-famous artists such as Daniil Simkin, Iana Salenko and Zeljko Lucic will take the stage at the festival.
Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency, Sağtürk noted that the festival has reached a wider audience each year, with this year’s program being more extensive than previous editions, featuring three operas, two ballets, a musical and a children’s opera.
Sağtürk pointed out that Türkiye hosts major festivals in the field of opera and ballet, including the International Istanbul Opera and Ballet Festival, the International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival, the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, the International Bodrum Ballet Festival, the Culture Route Festival and the Anatolian Opera and Ballet Festival, all of which showcase the country’s cultural diversity and artistic richness.
Sağtürk added: “Restoration work is being carried out at Ephesus Ancient Theater under the leadership of Culture and Tourism Ministry. These works also aim to ensure that artistic performances can take place in better conditions. The restoration will be completed before the festival begins, allowing our audience to enjoy the performances in greater comfort.”
“This year, a total of seven productions will be staged, with nine performances in total. The festival will open with Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’ ballet. The program will also feature Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ cantata as a musical, Mozart’s ‘The Abduction from the Seraglio’ opera, Mikis Theodorakis’ ‘Zorba’ ballet, ‘La Traviata’ and ‘Aşk-ı Memnu’ opera.”