İstanbul State Opera and Ballet will be performing the opera Carmen at the Atatürk Cultural Center - Türk Telekom Opera Hall, for the appreciation of the art-lovers.

One of the most acknowledged opera pieces in the world and among the most staged worldwide, Carmen was composed by the French artist Georges Bizet, while Ludovic Halevy and Henri Meilhac wrote its libretto. The opera Carmen, which received harsh criticism when it was first staged in Paris in 1875, could only receive its deserving worldwide acclaim posthumously after the composer’s passing.

The work is staged by the Italian director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini,  and will be conducted by İbrahim Yazıcı.

In the Carmen Opera: the choreography is by Ayşem Sunal Savaşkurt, the scenic design is by Zeki Sarayoğlu, the costume design is by Ayşegül Alev and Gizem Betil, the lighting is by Giovanni Pirandello, and the dramaturgy is by Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath. Paolo Villa conducts the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Choir, and Sercan Gazeroğlu conducts the children’s choir.

The story of the opera takes place in the city of Seville in Spain in the 1830s. The protagonist of the work is Carmen, a fiery, ravishingly beautiful young gipsy girl who works in a tobacco factory. Carmen is deeply affected by the soldier Don Jose, and attempts to allure him away from his life to go live together in the mountains. However, time later, Carmen’s affection diminishes, and now, there is somebody new in her life. However, Don Jose has no intention of giving up on the woman who has put him through a heap of trouble.

In the evening, Aylin Ateş will take on the stage as Carmen, Efe Kışlalı as Don Jose, Gülbin Günay as Micaëla, and Murat Güney as Escamillo. Moreover, Göktuğ Alpaşar will also be on the stage as Zuniga, Emrah Erdem Gedik as Moralès,  Anna Sirel Etyemez as Frasquita, Elif Tuğba Tekışık as Mercédès, Cengiz Arslan as Le Dancaïre, and Çağrı Köktekin as Le Remendado.