“Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB
The opera “Aida,” one of the major productions of the State Opera and Ballet, was presented to art lovers in all of its magnificence at the Congresium Stage for the first time in the capital Ankara on Oct. 19, 2019.
The opera “Aida,” which is about the impossible love of the brave commander Radames and the captive Abyssinian Princess Aida, was staged at the Ancient Theatre of Aspendos last month. “Aida,” which has gone down in history as the “most beautiful opera” by Giuseppe Verdi, the famous Italian composer from the 19th Century School of Italian Opera, captivated audiences with its magnificent decor and costumes at the Congresium Stage in Ankara for the first time.
Directed by famous Italian director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, “Aida” received great acclaim from the audience at the Ancient Theatre of Aspendos. That time, it was performed by the cast of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet with magnificent decor and costumes.
“Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB
In turn, Feryal Türkoğlu, Nurdan Küçükekmekçi and Burçin Savıgne took on the role of “Aida,” Murat Karahan, Efe Kışlalı and Koray Damcıoğlu will play “Radames,” Ferda Yetişer, Ezgi Karakaya and Zeliha Kökçek will play “Amneris,” and Eralp Kıyıcı and Gürgan Gürgen took on the role of “Amonasro.” Again, alternately, the artists of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Antonio Pirolli and conductor Can Okan, accompanied the performers.
“Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB
At the Congresium on the evening of Oct. 19, art lovers had the opportunity to watch the “Radames” performance of “Aida” staged by State Opera and Ballet’s general manager and general art director, tenor Murat Karahan, at Italy’s historical Arena Di Verona and Antalya’s Ancient Theatre of Aspendos last summer. Feryal Türkoğlu sang “Aida” in the show.
“Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB
The decor for the work was designed by Özgür Usta, the costumes by Savaş Camgöz and Gürcan Kubilay, and the lighting by Giovanni Pirandello; the choir was led by Giampaolo Vessella. Sergei Terechenko choreographed the production, which also featured ballet and children’s ballet performers from Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
“Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB“Aida” of Giuseppe Verdi at Ankara Congresium, 19th October 2019 Photo credits: Emre Turan for Genel DOB
Last but not least, grateful thanks to General Director Murat Karahan who wished fom the bottom of his heart the return of the grand operas in Turkey and gave the right means to achieve this important decision.
Un filo sottile unisce l’antico Egitto con le coste dell’Asia Minore, così che il remoto porto di Aspendos, nell’attuale Turchia, era meta di attracco delle navi all’epoca dei Tolomei. Certamente Aida di Giuseppe Verdi, in cartellone al 26esimo Festival Internazionale di Aspendos, non prende spunto dalla mitica Cleopatra, ultima della dinastia tolemaica, tanto meno l’egizio Radamès è riconducibile al romano Giulio Cesare o al generale Marco Antonio, come qualche sprovveduto turista/spettatore avrebbe voluto immaginare, eppure nella nuova produzione di Aida appositamente realizzata per l’Antico Teatro greco-romano di Aspendos, s’intravede l’impronta del passato. Se nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento l’archeologo francese Auguste Mariette volle ricondurre la sua storia ben mille anni prima della Nuova Era, ai tempi della XVIII dinastia egizia, ispirandosi a Hachepsuth, Nefertiti e forse anche a Ramses II, vicenda da cui prenderà spunto Giuseppe Verdi per il suo lavoro, ebbene in questa Aida ad Aspendos a cura dell’Opera e Balletto di Stato di Antalya, vi è la consapevolezza di un’appartenenza del tutto propria, di tradizioni e ritualità anatoliche. Le scene e i costumi si confanno a memorie antiche, proprie di un territorio che guardando all’Egitto mantiene salde a tutt’oggi le proprie radici. L’impianto scenico è all’apparenza tradizionale, ma nella sua realizzazione sembra voler riproporre la celebre frase di Verdi: “torniamo all’antico, sarà un progresso”. Non solo … se le figure impresse nella scenografia, colonnati grandiosi e costumi dalle tinte di sapore medio-orientale, ci riportano al fastoso passato di congiunzione tra Oriente e Occidente, vi è visibilmente trasmesso anche quel simbolismo che nella sua ritualità si ricongiunge, idealmente, con l’Egitto di Mozart/Schikaneder ne Die Zauberflöte. Scene di Özgür Usta, costumi di Savaş Camgöz e Gürcan Kubilay.
Direttore Fabrizio Maria Carminati che della partitura di Aida ha esaltato le pagine di magniloquente spettacolarità, per nulla sacrificando, con raffinata minuzia, l’interiorizzazione di ogni ogni singolo personaggio, nella sfida irrealizzabile dell’uomo con un destino inesorabile. Un percorso omogeneo, di una visione condivisa tra podio e palcoscenico, regia di Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini. Ricerca storica di Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong. Disegno luci di Giovanni Pirandello. Di grande suggestione il fuoco sacro che si sprigiona dal remoto pertugio del tempio, da dove Ramfis in ripetitivo ternario segna la condanna a morte di Radamès, nel reiterato conflitto tra potere temporale e spirituale.
Nel ruolo del titolo il soprano russo Anna Nechaeva di solido impatto in un ruolo del quale ha certezza, di timbratura scura e suggestiva, con spiccato senso scenico; nella replica la debuttante Francesca Tiburzi. Radamès è il tenore turco Murat Karahan, dopo i consensi areniani, qui si conferma dalla voce ferma e squillante, ha riscosso un personale, vibrante successo; nella seconda recita Efe Kışlalı. Ancora dalla Russia, ma con una sensibilità tutta italica, l’Amneris di Anastasia Boldyreva, principesca nella sua arroganza, disperata nel suo sentimento di donna, cinicamente disumanizzata nel conclusivo: “Pace t’imploro … “.
Dall’espressione tonante e autorevole presenza l’imperioso Amonasro di Eralp Kıyıcı. La marcata voce di basso, d’innnata autorevolezza ha delineato l’interpretazione di Safak Guç, quale Ramfis. Completano la compagnia: Ozgur Savas Gencturk, il Re, Nihan Inan e nella replica Ceyda Maral, Sacerdotessa, Emrah Sòzer Un Messagero. Coro dell’Opera di Antalya e dell’Opera di Ankara, maestri, rispettivamente, Mahir Seyrek e Giampaolo Vassella. Corpo di ballo e ballo bambini (Moretti) dell’Opera e Balletto di Antalya, coreografo Armağan Davran.
La prima serata è stata trasmessa in diretta nazionale su TR2, il secondo canale della Televisione di Stato Turca, dedicato a notiziari ed eventi culturali.
La produzione di Aida ha trovato la sua collicazione ideale all’interno dell’Antico Teatro di Aspendos, eppure a quasi un mese di distanza ha saputo “rigenerarsi” in ben altra situazione in una serata di “gala” nel contemporaneo edificio del Congresuim di Ankara, capace di oltre tremila posti, a cura dell’Opera e Balletto di Stato di Ankara. Di base l’allestimento è lo stesso di Aspendos,eppure con sostanziali modifiche a conferma che non esistono recite, una eguale all’altra, ma bensì la capacità di rinnovarsi nell’aderenza a un concetto, più che a una pura estetica. Nel ruolo di Radamès s’impone e si conferma Murat Karahan, cosi come Eralp Kiyici, Amonasro, e il basso Safak Guç, Ramfis. Per Aida il debutto nel ruolo del soprano Feryal Türkoğlu che cesella il personaggio con raffinatezza e precisione. Amneris è la convincente e appassionata Ezgi Karakaya; Erdem Baydar, il Re, Cem Akyuz, il Messaggero e Nihan Inan, Sacerdotessa. Direttore d’orchestra il giovane e già affermato Can Okan al suo debutto nel titolo; maestro del coro Giampaolo Vessella. Significativa la presenza dell’eccellente Corpo di ballo e per i Moretti della Scuola dell’Opera e Balletto di Stato di Ankara con coreografie di Sergei Terechenko. Prevista inizialmente una sola recita al Congresium, vi si replica per soddisfare le molte richieste di pubblico, oltre la capienza della grande sala.
Photo credits: Yusuf Emre Turan & Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong
Organized by the Culture and Tourism Ministry State Opera and Ballet General Directorate, the Opera International Festival of Istanbul celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and continue until July 14 at the Istanbul Zorlu Performing Arts Center (PSM).
Elegant Umut Kosman as the Mandarin
Opening the Festival, the Ankara State Opera and Ballet presented “Turandot”, the last opera of Giacomo Puccini on July 2 and 3.
Lilla Lee (Turandot) recognises her defeat in front of her father, the Emperor Altoum ( Cem Akyùz)
Staged by famous Italian guest director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, the leading role in “Turandot” opera was performed by Korean soloist Lilla Lee on July 2 and Kazakh soloist Zhupar Gabdullina on July 3.
Efe Kislali & Lilla Lee
The Prömiyer was a great success and the Korean Turandot Lilla Lee was very much appreciated by the audience, as well as the delicate sensituìivity of yourg Conductor, Maestro Murat Cem Orhan.
Wonderful Ping (çetin Kiranbay), Pang (Emre Akkus) and Pong (Arda Dogan)
Needless to say that Tenor Efe Kislali as Calaf was requested to sing once again the famous aria “Nessun Dorma” and was triumphally celebrated, as well as Tugba Mankal Dekak and Seda Araci Ayazli (Liù), together with Şafak Güç and Ozgür Savaş Gençtürk, fantastic Timur !
Liù’s Death
As reported by the cultural autorities of Kazakhstan, “Vocal skills, beauty, and power of voice, bright acting talent of sought-after opera singer Zhupar Gabdullina are widely known to the audience in many countries. Most recently, the Principal Soloist performed with great success in Turkey at the opening of the anniversary 10th International Istanbul Festival of Opera and Ballet, where she presented the title role of Turandot in Giacomo Puccini’s eponymous opera. There was not a single empty seat in the concert hall Zorlu PSM Studio, designed for 2500 viewers. Turkish viewers gave a standing ovation to the Kazakh artist.”
James Lee and Lilla Lee
The Korean tenor, James Lee was also highly appreciated by the Zorlu audience and the clamourous success of Turandot was celebrated until late that night by all artists of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet and their guests.
To be noted the wonderful lights of Fuat Gök and the exceptional participation of the Ankara National Ballet.
On 16th March 2019, Ankara State Opera and Ballet presented “Turandot”, the absolute masterpiece of Giacomo Puccini in a new production, with Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini as Stage Director and Maestro Antonio Pirolli as Conductor.
The two Maestros, long-term friends, remembered with emotion their first “Turandot” together some 19 years ago in the same Opera Theatre, with Soprano Nilgun Akkerman.
Under the impulsion of the new Director General of Turkish State Opera and Ballet, brilliant Tenor Murat Karahan who called back both Conductor and Stage Director to set up again a fairy tale style production, the actual resurrection of opera the way we like it, a fantastic evening opened up to the notes of Puccini’s last work…
The somptuous costumes of Savaş Camgöz, the magnificent sets of Özgür Usta and the magic lights of Fuat Gök have definitely given the performance the utmost touch of glamour. The public was enthusiastic and the applause at the end lasted more than fifteen minutes.
Mehlika Karadeniz Bilgin, who incarnated a very special Turandot, with her cristalline voice, declared about the production : “The work exposes how Turandot, the princess who doesn’t believe in love and hates men, gets to know love. It is the inner travel of a woman finding herself and a fight between her brain and heart. In fact, Turandot is the fight between the bad and the good,”
Explaining that the mystic and the mysterious side of the Far East are reflected on the opera, Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini said, “It portrays the inner conflicts of Princess Turandot and her fight with love.” Moreover, his classical and royal style given to the elegant stage direction confered to the opera the real sense of what opera should be on such an important stage as the Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
On another hand, the sincere friendship between Maestro Pirolli and Maestro Grisostomi Travaglini could be felt as their arts coincided in putting together the virtuosity of music tightly-knit with the respect of Puccini’s will to render solemnity and human research for truth and love. The climax was during the famous moment of Liù’s death, when the emotions reach the vibrations of everyone’s heart.
This exceptional production was also possible thanks to the participation of incredibly talented soloists such as Mehlika Karadeniz Bilgin, Perihan Nayır Artan, Murat Karahan, Aykut Çınar, Efe Kışlalı, Cem Akyüz, Özgür Savaş Gençtürk, Şafak Güç, Esin Talınlı, Tuğba Mankal Dekak, Seda Aracı Ayazlı, Tuncer Tercan, Çetin Kıranbay, Emre Uluocak, Kamil Kaplan, Arda Doğan, İbrahim Halil Turgut, Barış Yanç and Emre Akkuş… and all the artists of the Ankara State Opera Koro, under the direction of Maestro Giampaolo Vessella.
A special mention for Çetin Kıranbay, Barış Yanç and Arda Doğan, unforgettable Ping, Pang and Pong whose stage plays fabulously funny and “grotesque” as originally described by Puccini was one of the greatest moments of the performance.
Çetin Kıranbay, Barış Yanç and Arda Doğan, unforgettable Ping, Pang and Pong
I must also recognise that one of the magic elements of this Turandot was the use of the Ankara State Ballet. Both men and women dancers were absolutely smashing and gave a dynamic to special moments, like the Pu Ting Pao appearances, which was unique.
Not to forget anyone, here are the names of this impressive cast for my favourite version of “TURANDOT” ever …
To be noted the presence in the audience, Enrico Stinchelli, a famous Italian radio conductor, special guest of Ankara State Opera and Ballet, who actually enjoyed the performance.
Together with Maestro Antonio Pirolli & Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi TravagliniMaestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, between Umut Yasar, Director Assistant and Boran Savran, Staging Assistant…. and me !
“Suggestioni anatoliche per la Cina Imperiale di Turandot: Aspendos, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini firma il nuovo allestimento del capolavoro pucciniano”, articolo di Francesco Germinario nel numero di Ottobre 2018 di “L’Opera International Magazine”
Turkish translation:
Turandot’un Çin İmparatorluğu için Anadolu İlhamları
Francesco Germinario, L’Opera Dergisi
Traduzione – çeviri: Suna Ertekin
Aspendos: Vincenzo Travaglini Grisostomi, Puccini’nin başyapıtının yeniden sahneye koyuluşunu imzalıyor.
25. Uluslararsı Aspendos Festivali’nde büyük opera Turandot gösterişli yeni bir prodüksiyonla geri dönüyor.
Geçtiğimiz Ocak ayından itibaren aralarında Aspendos, İstanbul ve Efes’in de olduğu birçok festivaller düzenleyen Türkiye Devlet Opera ve Balesi Genel Müdürlüğüne uluslararası üne sahip opera şarkıcısı Murat Karahan atandı ve hemen Türkiye’deki müzikal/opera kültürüne yeni bir nabız katmak istedi.
Yeni yönetimin en anlamlı sonuçları arasında Turandot’un bu edisyonunu buluyoruz, bu eser tarihi “Antik Tiyatro”ya 18 yıl sonra geri döndü.
Tarihi Anadolu’nun Opera ve Balesi’nin en iyi kaynaklarının bir araya geldiği görkemli bir sahneleme, özellikle Ankara Operası, Orkestrası ve Korosuna Antalya Devlet Operası’nın korosunun koro şefleri Giampaolo Vassella ve Mahir Seyrek ile, Balenin ve Sinem Seçil Battal tarafından yönetilen çocuk korosunun katılımıyla gerçekleşti; eseri İstanbul ve İzmir’i de içeren Türkiye’nin çeşitli realitelerinin en iyi şan solistleri seslendirdiler. Dev bir organizasyon ve teknik ekip sayesinde gerçekleştirilen bu prodüksiyon Aspendos Festivalini haberlere çıkma şerefine eriştirdi. Çeşitli kurumların temsilcileri arasında Kültür ve Turizm Bakanı Mehmet Nuri Ersoy da vardı, temsil sonunda sahneye çıkarak sanatçılara çiçek verip tebriklerini sundu. Aspendos antik çağlardan kalan en iyi tiyatro sayılmaktadır, mimar Zenon tarafından Marcus Aurelius için M.S. 161 ve 180 yılları arasında inşa ettirilmiştir; antik tiyatro bu temsille “güçlü” bir şekilde yeniden gözler önüne çıktı diyebiliriz.
Rejisörlüğü, bugün olduğu gibi bu prodüksiyonla 2000 yılında da çok başarı kazanan Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini üstlendi. Orkestra Şefliğini maestro Alberto Veronesi yaptı.
Şan grubunda başlıca rolleri soprano Perihan Diyana Nayır Artan güçlü ve aynı zamanda şık bir Turandot olarak, tenor Murat Karahan güçlü, sağlam ve cömert tenor sesiyle Calaf olarak, “Nessun dorma”yı kaçırılmayacak “bis” ile seslendirdi; aynı rolü geçtiğimiz sezon Verona Arenası’nda büyük başarı ile seslendirmişti ve Aspendos greko-romen tiyatrosunda da zafer kazandı. Şancılar arasında, Festivalin bu açılışı için, Devlet Operası’nın çeşitli müdürlüklerinden öne çıkan en anlamlı sesler görevlendirildi, Seda Aracı Ayazlı’nın duygu dolu Liù rolü ve Teyfik Rodos’un şık Timur rolü beğeni kazandı. Canlı, sahneye katılım gösteren ve dikkat çeken üç bakan rollerinde Ping rolünü üstlenen Murat Duyan, Pang ve Pong rollerinde Tankut Eşber ve Serkan Taylan vardı. Şan grubunu İmparator Altum rolünde Lorenzo Mok Arranz, Nejat Beğde ve Serkan Sarıkaya tamamladı.
Özgür Usta’nın dekorları heybetliydi; Savaş Camgöz’ün değerli kumaşlarla ve özenle seçilen renklerle gerçekleştirdiği her türden aksesuarların kullanıldığı kostümleri çok güzeldi, tarih ve fantazi arasında, Yunan trajedisi stilinde “oyulmuş” maskelerle masalımsı uzak Çin İmparatorluğu sahnede daha önce hiç bu kadar öne çıkmamıştı. Özellikle Armağan Davran’ın koreografileri özenle çalışılmıştı, Pu-Tin-Pao’nun hizmetkârları erkek balesinin enerjik dansından başka Uzak Doğu geleneğine göre düzenlenen ve finaldeki sofistike “çiçekli kızlar” dansı çok etkiliydi. Fuat Gök’ün ışık düzeni güzeldi. Kalabalık ve heyecanlı seyirci, tribünleri doldurarak iyi kalitenin her zaman kazanacağını kanıtladı.
Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, born in Ripatransone, lived first in Fermo (Marche), the town of origin of his family, and then in Rome where he obtained the School-leaving Certificate (Science) and proceeded studying Law and Psychology at La Sapienza University of Rome and piano as a hobby.
The journalist
As a young journalist in the mid 1970s, he began his career with Vatican Radio and Radio Lugano (Italian Switzerland). Between 1977 and 1993, he directed very popular broadcasts for the three main radio channels of RAI. Meanwhile, he started writing for local newspapers and magazines and has been a frequent contributor to “Il Mattino” ,“Il Corriere della Sera” and also for the weekly magazine, “Gente” as well as for numerous specialized music publications. He also wrote specialist articles not only in Italy but also in Spain, England, France, Austria, Germany, the Soviet Union, Switzerland, Tunisia, Egypt, Iraq, Canada, Greece, China, Japan, and Turkey. He is a member of the Italian Musical Critics Association and the Journalists’ Association . He has written texts for the covers of records and for theatre programmes (San Carlo Theatre of Naples, Ente Arena of Verona, Festival of Asolo, Monte-Carlo Opera House, etc.). In the 1980s, he extended his experience becoming Press Office Head for important festivals, such as Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Sagra Musicale Umbra, Festival delle Nazioni di Città di Castello, Festival Pucciniano di Torre del Lago and the Sagra Malatestiana of Rimini. In 1989 he was appointed head of the press office of the Teatro dell’Opera of Rome where he also established and managed the Publications Office and had several cultural publications printed. He remained a member of the Art Direction Team until 1997.
The Art Adviser and Art Director
In 1987 he returned to his hometown as Art Adviser at the Festival di Fermo where he promoted cooperation with the principal events in Italy and abroad until 1991. He planned the “first performances in modern times” of musicians of 1700-1800, including Cimarosa, Rossini, Donizetti and Cherubini (“première”) and commissioned works by the most famous modern composers, launching the event at an international level. In 1993-1994, he was appointed to the Teatro dell’Opera as assistant to the Art Director, Maestro Gian Carlo Menotti, and put in charge of some sectors of the “Il Teatro dell’Opera per la Città” project. For the Opera of Roma he was in charge of the art direction for the theatre’s tournée in Nagoya, Japan. In 1994 by Government Decree, he was appointed as a new member of the first Board of Experts at the Dipartimento dello Spettacolo della Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri for the three-year period from 1994 to 1996. From 1994 to July of 1996 he was Art Adviser to the restored Teatro Ventidio Basso in Ascoli Piceno which re-opened after fifteen years of work on October 15, 1994. There he organized seasons of opera, ballet, symphony performances, and chamber music concerts. In 1995 and 1996 he was Art Secretary of the Festival delle Nazioni in Città di Castello.
The International Artistic Consultant
During the 1997-1998 season, he was also appointed as Artistic Consultant of Production of “Aida,” directed and staged by Franco Zeffirelli, and performed in Japan on the occasion of the inauguration of the New National Theatre of Tokyo. In 2000 Grisostomi Travaglini was appointed by the Ministry of Culture of the Turkish Republic as general manager of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet, concurrently working as Musical Director up to the year 2002. In 2002 he was asked once again to go to Tokyo as director at the New National Theatre for a new production of “Lucia di Lammermoor”. The premiere on October 11 was attended by Their Imperial Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. In 2004 Tokyo’s “LaVoce inc” invited him to the New National Theatre to direct a new production of “Lucia di Lammermoor”. The performance was staged at the New National Theatre and recorded on DVD. Cast: Mariella Devia, Marcelo Álvarez, Renato Bruson, Carlo Colombara. Conductor Stefano Ranzani. The DVD was released commercially in 2005.
The Opera Producer
Since 1982, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini has been called in Italy and many countries worldwide to stage popular opera titles in prestigious locations (Aida, Turandot, Rigoletto, Madame Butterfly, Lucia de Lammermoor, etc…), which are either wide spaces in the open or classical theatre scenes. He has taken advantage of his numerous travels to write articles in various publications, newspapers and magazines as well as holding conferences and seminar communications on special requests all over the world.
The Writer
He wrote a book on the life of Katia Ricciarelli which was published on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of her career. He also authored the book “I Teatri a Roma: Il Costanzi.” He wrote a musical study on Verdi’s opera “Macbeth” which was translated into French and published by Monte-Carlo Opera. His musicological book on “Madama Butterfly” was translated into Spanish for the Puccini Festival in Valencia and was presented to the audience during a conference in Spain. His two other musicological books: “Aida” and “Turandot” were translated into Turkish and published by the Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong 