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The ballet "Swan Lake," a symbol of elegance and romance, was performed by artists of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet at the 32nd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. The performance took place in the remarkable setting of the Aspendos Ancient Theater in Antalya, a Roman theater dating back to the second century A.D., renowned for its exceptional acoustics and preservation.
The production was staged by the Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra under the baton of conductor Ibrahim Yazici. Leading roles were shared by prominent figures of Turkish ballet: Meric Sumen, the former General Director of the State Opera and Ballet, performed as the Queen; Berfu Elmas portrayed Odette-Odile; and Batur Buklu appeared as Prince Siegfried. Nuri Arkan played Von Rothbart, while Berkay Gunay performed as Benno.
The ballet, reimagined through the choreography of Ricardo Amarante, was complemented by Ferhat Karakaya’s stage design and Serdar Basbug’s costumes, offering audiences a vivid visual spectacle. Long queues formed before the show as festivalgoers sought to experience this iconic performance.
Before the performance, State Opera and Ballet General Director and Artistic Director Tan Sagturk emphasized their effort to curate a highly distinguished program this year. He noted that "Swan Lake" followed earlier stagings of "Turandot and Zorba," while the festival will conclude with "Don Quixote," "Tosca," and "La Traviata".
Sagturk described "Swan Lake" as “one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous and valuable works,” adding that its premiere at Aspendos generated great excitement. He explained that rehearsals had gone smoothly and that the event had completely sold out, filling the historic theater to capacity.
The evening drew wide attention from cultural and political circles. Among the attendees were Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin, North Macedonia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Lyutkov, Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Director Caner Akgun, Antalya State Opera and Ballet Director Ozgur Aslan, and a large crowd of art lovers.
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