Istanbul State Opera Ballet opens new season

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The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (IDOB) has opened the 2016-2017 season with a concert that drew a large number of artists at the Süreyya Opera. 
Speaking about the new season, IDOB Director and Art Director Suat Arıkan said the theme of the new season would be "Firsts," noting that he chose the masterpieces of composers whose works had never been performed in Turkey. 

Arıkan said there would be three important works this season. "One is the first Verdi opera, 'Ernani,' which was staged in the Ottoman sultan Abdulmecid's period. It is interesting that it was not played once again after the republic was founded. It is Verdi's most favorite opera and made him famous abroad. It will be staged for the first time in Turkey by Turkish soloists and choir."

Arıkan said IDOB had been performing nearly for 75 years. "It has organized very important artistic events. When IDOB was 65, it gained Kadıköy Municipality's magnificent Süreyya Opera as its second stage."
Arıkan said no Stravinsky opera had never been staged in Turkey, but that they would stage his "The Rake's Progress" for the first time this season. 

"At the end of the season, there will be a masterpiece again, Jack Offenbach's 'The Beautiful Helen.' It is an entertaining play," he added. 

Arıkan said 10 operas would meet art lovers over the course of the new season and that Selman Ada's "Başka Dünya," which has previously been performed; Vivaldi's "Bajazet;" Donizetti's "Don Pasquale;" Gounod's "Faust;" Rossini's "La Cenerentola;" Britten's "The Turn of the Screw;" and Bach's "Kaffeekantate" would all be performed.

Nine ballet works 

Arıkan said nine ballet works would also be performed.  "We have Tchaikovsky's masterpiece 'Sleeping...

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