Ankara State Opera attracts 7,000 more operagoers this season

The Ankara opera sold 31,000 tickets for its performances in the same months of the 2008-2009 season, noted Davran. “Since we were first founded last year … I have been collecting data each month on a regular basis. … In January alone we put on 19 performances, and 10 of these played to full houses,” he added.

Davran noted that the company was currently busy with preparations for a production of the Turkish opera “Cem Sultan.” The Turkish opera “Murat IV” and the Turkish ballet “Harem” are also enjoying sold-out runs at the Ankara Opera House, Davran said.

“Opera and ballet are not branches of art that are distant [from our culture]; rather they are quite close to every [culture]. … I’ve never taken those claims seriously; I totally reject claims that opera and ballet are not suitable for Turkish culture,” Davran said. “In addition to our performances, the State Theaters stage their plays in 13 theaters across the city every day. The Bilkent Symphony and the Presidential Symphony orchestras perform two concerts almost every week. There are so many events [in the area of classical music and performing arts]. Some say these events do not speak to their likes. But figures do not support these claims.”