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The 32nd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival in Türkiye offered audiences a remarkable performance of Giacomo Puccini’s renowned opera "Tosca". The event took place in the ancient theater of Aspendos, a Roman amphitheater famed for its acoustics and monumental architecture that has stood for nearly two millennia.
The production was presented under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s State Opera and Ballet Directorate. The Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Lorenzo Castriota Skanderberg, accompanied the performance, while the choir was prepared under the leadership of chorus master Mahir Seyrek.
The role of Tosca was performed by Nurdan Kucukekmekci, while Italian guest artist Ivan Magri took on the part of Cavaradossi. Umut Tarik Akca appeared as Scarpia, bringing dramatic intensity to the stage. The combination of Turkish and international voices highlighted the festival’s global character.
The staging was directed by Yigit Yavuz Gunsoy, with set and costume design by Gulden Sayil. Careful use of lighting and costume details enhanced the opera’s emotional tension, making the story unfold vividly against the backdrop of Aspendos’ ancient stones. The setting allowed Puccini’s tragic tale to resonate powerfully, blending classical music with the historic environment.
The International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival has become a major cultural event that brings together local and international audiences.
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