Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival Returns with Classics

Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival Returns with Classical Performances

The 9th International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival is taking place from June 26 to July 8 in the ancient city of Ephesus and at the Bornova Culture and Arts Center, bringing together classical masterpieces and family-friendly performances.

The festival is organized by the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet of Turkey. This year’s program features five productions presented across eight performances, including opera, ballet, a staged cantata, and a children’s musical.

The festival opened with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet Swan Lake, performed by the İzmir State Opera and Ballet.

Festival Program Highlights

On June 30 and July 2, the İzmir State Opera and Ballet will perform German composer Carl Orff’s staged cantata Carmina Burana. The orchestra and choir will be conducted by Vladimir Lungu, with choral direction by Orhan Öner Özcan and children’s choir direction by Başar Ünal.

On July 4 and 5, the Ankara State Opera and Ballet will present the ballet Zorba the Greek, based on the novel by Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Choreography and libretto were prepared by Lorca Massine.

The festival will conclude on July 8 with Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca, staged by the İzmir State Opera and Ballet. The performance will be conducted by Roberto Gianola and directed by Yiğit Günsoy.

Italian tenor Ivan Magrì will perform at the festival for the first time during the closing opera.

Special Program for Children

The festival also includes two performances of the one-act children’s musical Pamira and the Grasshopper, composed by Yusuf Gençay and directed by Necat Şengün.

The children’s performance aims to introduce young audiences to nature, creativity, and art while encouraging them to see the world without prejudice.