The 21st Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival

While celebrating its 21st Anniversary, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival makes significant contributions to our country’s international promotion by bringing together the unique historical properties and the extraordinary acoustic of 2000 years old Aspendos Antique Theatre with Antalya’s natural beauties and the peaceful nature of art that reaches beyond the boundaries of language, religion and race. International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, being the only opera and ballet festival of our country, has been the most important organisation of the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet since 1994, gained an international recognition in 1998, and is nominated among the world’s most famous festivals.
The fact of being held at an antique theater like Aspendos, whose history goes back to 166 A.D, gives a distinct meaning to the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival.
The audience, among whom % 70 are foreign tourists, has been seeing the performances of our festival every year.
With its increasing spectators year by year, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival has become a visual carnival where history, music and a large number of people from several nations come together. 

The Festival, was accepted to EFA-European Festivals Association which is among the most respectful organisations in Europe, on October 24, 2003 and thus has confirmed its distinguished place among other festivals in the world once more.      

In 2004, as the result of a research done by The Independent, newspaper published in England, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival ranked the 5th among 10 best opera festivals selected from among the renown opera festivals organized all over the world. Furthermore, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival was given place within the first 10 among the Best Festivals of 2005 by the Festspiele Magazine, published in Germany, investigating all the festivals over the world.   

Don't miss the 21st Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival. From 30 Aug 2014 to 20 Sep 2014.

Festival Programme: 

For Tickets: 

http://www.dobgm.gov.tr/opera2013/devopera.aspx

For More Information: 

http://www.aspendosfestival.gov.tr/

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Have you ever watch dances of Fire of Anatolia in Antalya?

A synthesis of hundreds of folkdance figures and music from different regions, Fire of Anatolia is a unique project whose source is Anatolia’s ancient mythological and cultural history. Produced by Mustafa Erdoğan, the group hopes to introduce the world to the fire thatarises from the ancient mosaic of love, cultural history and peace in Anatolia.

Starting its first world tour in 2002, The Fire of Anatolia has reached to great art-lovers in 85 countries throughout the world from Qatar to Japan, Siberia to United States of America and has met more than 20 million audience with its 3500 performances.

Have you ever watch dances of Fire of Anatolia in Antalya?

Here are some photos from Fire of Anatolia Show in Antalya:

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The 20th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival

The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will take place in Aspendos Antique Theater in Antalya.

Festival History

Ancient Aspendos Theatre

While celebrating its 20 th Anniversary, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival makes significant contributions to our country’s international promotion by bringing together the unique historical properties and the extraordinary acoustic of 2000 years old Aspendos Antique Theatre with Antalya’s natural beauties and the peaceful nature of art that reaches beyond the boundaries of language, religion and race. International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, being the only opera and ballet festival of our country, has been the most important organisation of the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet since 1994, gained an international recognition in 1998, and is nominated among the world’s most famous festivals. 

The fact of being held at an antique theater like Aspendos, whose history goes back to 166 A.D, gives a distinct meaning to the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. 

 
The audience, among whom % 70 are foreign tourists, has been seeing the performances of our festival every year. 

 
With its increasing spectators year by year, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival has become a visual carnival where history, music and a large number of people from several nations come together. 

Our Festival, was accepted to EFA-European Festivals Association which is among the most respectful organisations in Europe, on October 24, 2003 and thus has confirmed its distinguished place among other festivals in the world once more.      

 
In 2004, as the result of a research done by The Independent, newspaper published in England, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival ranked the 5th among 10 best opera festivals selected from among the renown opera festivals organized all over the world. Furthermore, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival was given place within the first 10 among the Best Festivals of 2005 by the Festspiele Magazine, published in Germany, investigating all the festivals over the world.   

Programme 

2 June 2013, Sunday

Antalya State Opera and Ballet

20th Anniversary Gala Night

Conductor : José CURA

Concert

5 June 2013, Wednesday

Antalya State Opera and Ballet

ASPENDOS The Love of Centuries

Ballet

12 June 2013, Wednesday

National Theatre Brno, Czech Republic

Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra

AIDA

Opera

15 June 2013, Saturday

Ankara State Opera and Ballet

RIGOLETTO

Opera

19 June 2013, Wednesday

İstanbul State Opera and Ballet

SWAN LAKE

Ballet

22 June 2013, Saturday

Mersin State Opera and Ballet

CARMEN

Opera

All the Performances start at 21.00 hrs.

http://www.aspendosfestival.gov.tr/index_e.html

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The 19th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival to begin on June 14

The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will take place in Aspendos Antique Theater in southern province of Antalya.

The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will take place in Aspendos Antique Theater in southern province of Antalya between June 14 and July 4, and between September 3 and 15, 2012.

 

The festival will begin with the “Turandot” opera by Izmir Opera and Ballet on June 14.

This year, audiences will have the chance to see the “Rigoletto” opera by the Estonia National Opera and the “Prince Igor” opera by The Yekaterinburg State Opera and Ballet Company and others.

South Korea's Daegu Opera will also take part in the festival; the Antalya State Opera and Ballet and South Korea Opera and Ballet will perform the “La Traviata” opera together. 

Festival History

Ancient Aspendos Theatre

While celebrating its 19 th Anniversary, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival makes significant contributions to our country’s international promotion by bringing together the unique historical properties and the extraordinary acoustic of 2000 years old Aspendos Antique Theatre with Antalya’s natural beauties and the peaceful nature of art that reaches beyond the boundaries of language, religion and race. International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, being the only opera and ballet festival of our country, has been the most important organisation of the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet since 1994, gained an international recognition in 1998, and is nominated among the world’s most famous festivals. 

The fact of being held at an antique theater like Aspendos, whose history goes back to 166 A.D, gives a distinct meaning to the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. 

 
The audience, among whom % 70 are foreign tourists, has been seeing the performances of our festival every year. 

 
With its increasing spectators year by year, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival has become a visual carnival where history, music and a large number of people from several nations come together. 

Our Festival, was accepted to EFA-European Festivals Association which is among the most respectful organisations in Europe, on October 24, 2003 and thus has confirmed its distinguished place among other festivals in the world once more.      

 
In 2004, as the result of a research done by The Independent, newspaper published in England, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival ranked the 5th among 10 best opera festivals selected from among the renown opera festivals organized all over the world. Furthermore, International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival was given place within the first 10 among the Best Festivals of 2005 by the Festspiele Magazine, published in Germany, investigating all the festivals over the world.   

Programme

14 June Thursday 2012 Izmir State Opera and Ballet	TURANDOT	Opera
20 June Wednesday 2012 Estonian National Opera	RIGOLETTO	Opera
25 June Monday 2012 Ekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre	PRINCE IGOR	Opera
27 Haziran Wednesday 2012 Ekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre	LOVE AND DEATH	Ballet
30 June Saturday 2012 South Korea - Daegu Opera Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Chorus	LA TRAVIATA	Opera
04 July Wednesday 2012 Mersin - Samsun State Opera and Ballet	ZORBA	Ballet
03 September Monday 2012 China - Beljing Opera Samsun State Opera and Ballet Orchestra	MADAMA BUTTERFLY	Opera
06 September Thursday 2012 Antalya State Opera and Ballet	LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR	Opera
10 September Monday 2012 Turkish State Opera and Ballet Companies	SWAN LAKE	Ballet
15 September Saturday 2012 Ankara State Opera and Ballet	TANNHÄUSER	Opera

Performances starts at 09:00 p.m. on june and 8:30 p.m. on September

Modifications can be made to the program, in case of necessity.

Ticket sales are made at the institution www.dobgm.gov.tr which is the official web page.

They select any province in our site and enter. After you enter your membership details, you will need to select Aspendos Festival from the part of ticket sales.

You can send e-mail to bilet@dobgm.gov.tr for your problems related to the purchase of tickets.


For more information:  http://www.aspendosfestival.gov.tr

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ANTALYA JAZZ FESTIVAL STARTS

Antalya’s esteemed Aspendos amphitheatre is next month to host to its first international jazz festival complete with an impressive line-up of stars. Acts confirmed include fado singer Monica Molina, Macy Gray and the Mehmet Ikiz Trio featuring China Moses.

Considered to be one of the most acoustically brilliant and best-preserved ancient theatres in the world, Aspendos is sure to make for an unforgettable venue. Indeed it is already home to the world-renowned Opera and Ballet Festival, now in its 18^th year.

Built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius in the 2nds century AD, the theatre was subsequently used by the Seljuk Turks as a Caravanserai. As a result, the 20,000-seat structure was continuously repaired and maintained and remains impressively intact.

Tickets for the Festival will be available via biletix.com.

For more information, visit antalyajazzfestival.com.

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XVIII Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Fesival

Programme 09 June - 02 July

09 June Thursday 2011 İstanbul State Opera and Ballet	G. Bizet CARMEN	Opera
13 June Monday 2011 Antalya State Opera and Ballet	L.Cherubini MEDEA	Opera
16 June Thursday 2011 İzmir State Opera and Ballet	G. Verdi OTELLO	Opera
20 June Monday 2011 Directorates of State Opera and Ballet	B.Murphy / M.Dede BARBAROSSA	Dance Drama
21 June Tuesday 2011	VIENNA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA	Concert
23 June Thursday 2011 Ankara State Opera and Ballet	W.A. Mozart DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL	Opera
29 June Wednesday 2011 Directorates of State Opera and Ballet İzmir State Opera and Ballet Orchestra	P.İ. Çaykovski SWAN LAKE	Ballet
02 July Saturday 2011 Abay Kazakhstan Academic State Opera and Ballet	G.Puccini TOSCA	Opera
Performances start at 9.00 pm. (Only Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Concert shall start at 9:30 p.m.)

Festival History

While celebrating its 18 th Anniversary, Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival makes significant contributions to our country’s international promotion by bringing together the unique historical properties and the extraordinary acoustic of 2000 years old Aspendos Antique Theatre with Antalya’s natural beauties and the peaceful nature of art that reaches beyond the boundaries of language, religion and race. Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, being the only opera and ballet festival of our country, has been the most important organisation of the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet since 1994, gained an international recognition in 1998, and is nominated among the world’s most famous festivals.

The fact of being held at an antique theater like Aspendos, whose history goes back to 166 A.D, gives a distinct meaning to the Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival.

The audience, among whom % 70 are foreign tourists, has been seeing the performances of our festival every year. 

With its increasing spectators year by year, Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival has become a visual carnival where history, music and a large number of people from several nations come together.

Our Festival, was accepted to EFA-European Festivals Association which is among the most respectful organisations in Europe, on October 24, 2003 and thus has confirmed its distinguished place among other festivals in the world once more.     

In 2004, as the result of a research done by The Independent, newspaper published in England, Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival ranked the 5th among 10 best opera festivals selected from among the renown opera festivals organized all over the world. Furthermore, Aspendos Festival was given place within the first 10 among the Best Festivals of 2005 by the Festspiele Magazine, published in Germany, investigating all the festivals over the world.    

For more information: 

http://www.aspendosfestival.gov.tr/index_e.html

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The World`s History starts with Antalya

 

 

 

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17th INTERNATIONAL ASPENDOS OPERA & BALLET FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL PROGRAM 

08 June 2010 Tuesday
Ankara State Opera & Ballet
AIDA
      Opera / G.Verdi

11 June 2010 Friday
Ankara State Opera ve Ballet
     ÜÇ SİLAHŞÖRLER
Ballet /G. Verdi  - G. Woolfenden

14 June 2010 Monday
İstanbul State Opera & Ballet
    CARMEN
      Opera / G. Bizet

17 June 2010 Thursday
F.Chopin /M. Teodorakis /M.Ravel
DON JUAN / YUNAN DANSLARI / BOLERO

 19 June 2010 Saturday
Berlin Radio Choir & "Sing Along Turkey" Choir
   Antalya, Mersin, Samsun State Opera & Ballet
 Orchestres

23 June 2010 Wednesday
Macedonia Opera ve Ballet
RIGOLETTO Opera / G.Verdi

26 June 2010 Saturday
İzmir State Opera & Ballet
UÇAN HOLLANDALI Opera / R. Wagner

01 July 2010 Thursday
State Opera & Ballet General  Directory
BARBAROS PRODUCTION Ballet

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History of the Antalya City

According to tradition, in the 2nd century BC, the Pergamum king Attalos II ordered his men to find "heaven on earth". After an extensive search, they discovered the region of Antalya. King Attalos rebuilt the city, giving it the name "Attaleia" (Greek: Αττάλεια) which later became Adalia and then Antalya.

Attalos II

It is not known when the site of the current city was first inhabited. Attalos II, king of Pergamon, was believed to have founded the city around 150 BC, naming it Attalia and selecting it as a naval base for his powerful fleet. However, excavations in 2008 in the Doğu Garajı district of Antalya have uncovered remains dating to the 3rd century BC, suggesting that the city was founded earlier than previously supposed. Antalya became part of the Roman Republic in 133 BC when King Attalos III of Pergamum willed his kingdom to Rome at his death. The city grew and prospered during the Ancient Roman period.

Antalya was a major city in the Byzantine Empire. It was the capital of the Byzantine Theme of Carabisiani (Θέμα Kαραβησιάνων, Thema Karavēsianōn), which occupied the southern coasts of Asia Minor and the Aegean Islands. At the time of the accession of John II Comnenus (1118) it was an isolated outpost against the Turks, accessible only by sea. The following year, with the aid of his commander-in-chief John Axuch, John II drove the Turks from the land routes to Antalya and reconnected the city with the rest of the empire.

Perge

The city, along with the surrounding region, was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in the early 13th century. Antalya was the capital of the Turkish beylik of Teke (1321-1423) until its conquest by the Ottomans. The Arabic traveler Ibn Battuta who came to the city in between 1335-1340 noted:

From Alanya I went to Antaliya [Adalia], a most beautiful city. It covers an immense area, and though of vast bulk is one of the most attractive towns to be seen anywhere, besides being exceedingly populous and well laid out. Each section of the inhabitants lives in a separate quarter. The Christian merchants live in a quarter of the town known as the Mina [the Port], and are surrounded by a wall, the gates of which are shut upon them from without at night and during the Friday service. The Greeks, who were its former inhabitants, live by themselves in another quarter, the Jews in another, and the king and his court and Mamluks in another, each of these quarters being walled off likewise. The rest of the Muslims live in the main city. Round the whole town and all the quarters mentioned there is another great wall. The town contains orchards and produces fine fruits, including an admirable kind of apricot, called by them Qamar ad-Din, which has a sweet almond in its kernel. This fruit is dried and exported to Egypt, where it is regarded as a great luxury.

Kekova

In the second half of the 17th century Evliya Çelebi wrote of a city of narrow streets containing 3,000 houses in twenty Turkish and four Greek neighborhoods. The town had grown beyond the city walls and the port was reported to hold up to 200 boats.

Apollon Temple

In the 18th century, in common with most of Anatolia, its sovereign was a "dere bey" (land lord or landowner). The family of Tekke Oglu, domiciled near Perge, though reduced to submission in 1812 by Mahmud II, continued to be a rival power to the Ottoman governor till within the present generation, surviving by many years the fall of the other great beys of Anatolia. The records of the Levant (Turkey) Company, which maintained an agency in Antalya till 1825, documented the local dere beys.

Yivli Minaret

In the 19th century the population of Antalya increased as Turks from the Caucasus and the Balkans moved into Anatolia. By 1911 it was a city of about 25,000 people, including many Christians and Jews, still living in separate quarters around the walled mina or port. The port was served by coast steamers of local companies. Antalya (then Adalia) was picturesque, but ill-built and backward. The chief attraction for visitors was the city wall, and outside a promenade -a portion of which survives to the present. The government offices and the houses of the higher classes were all outside of the walls.

The city was briefly occupied by the Italians from the end of the First World War until the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

References:

Norwhich, John Julius. Byzantium: The Decline and Fall. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996) p. 68.
 
Halsall, Paul (1998-09-05). "Medieval Sourcebook". http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-25. "The lemon is still called Addaliya in Egypt.

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