Troy, antique mythological story of Homeros which was premiered by Ankara State Opera and Ballet in November 2018 was performed succesfully on 7th July 2019 as part of 10th Istanbul Opera Fest in Zorlu PSM stage.
Created for the celebrations of 20th anniversary for the acceptance of Troy (today, located in modern Turkish Republic) to UNESCO World Heritage List, the opera truly remarked the antique city and its history.
In 2018, I've heard about the opera from tenor Murat Karahan's social media whom is the General Manager of Turkish State Opera and Ballet and the creator of this project. I was disappointed because it was going to be performed in Ankara and my schedule didn't fit to visit Ankara for seeing that. Later, when I found out it was going to be performed in Istanbul for the opera festival, I was excited but I had tango practice that day. Luckily, my partner was gentle enough to respect my choice of Troy over tango that day :D
Fortunately, my choice was so good that I would recommend everyone to see Troy opera, at least once. Especially for the Turkish audience, due to the fact that it is in Turkish and quite understandable. Well done to the librettist Artun Hoinic for good prosody, lyrics and fluency of scenes. Also, being able to tell the story in 2 Acts, 120 minutes, even more concise than the movie (which is 180 minute:) I also congratulate composer Bujor Hoinic for the lyrical, epic and dynamic music and orchestration. There was all kinds of elements in the music, melodically, harmonically and instrumentally to expose the grandiosity of this heroic story. The composition also featured similarities some of the very famous themes of opera&ballet history, such as Stravinsky's Sacre du Printemps and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. These similarities only made it more delightful and catchy to the audience. I am only disappointed by Paris and Helen arias, because of the fact that this story is based on their love and it makes them the most important characters of the opera. However, compared to contemporary Turkish opera Ninatta, premiered in December 2017 by Istanbul State Opera, which has a fictional love story happened in Anatolia in Hittite times, Troy is unarguably far better than that in all aspects.
Secondly, the collaboration of the opera and ballet crews for this art work. I was so used to see only singers on leading roles in operas and only dancers in ballets. However, Troy made an immense production to collaborate almost 300 dancers, musicians and singers on one stage. Achilles was characterized by renowned ballet dancer Tan Sağtürk and first time I've seen him dancing with my own eyes (eventhough I have myopi:). Murat Karahan is originally the Paris but he wasn't in the performance, instead Erdem Erdoğan took part. Narrator-poet Homeros role was also fascinating acted by the General Manager of State Theatre Mustafa Kurt. Even the costumes of the leading roles were designed by the famous fashion designer Atıl Kutoğlu.
The last aspect I would like to mention is the successful presentation of such an old story in an up-to-date context. In the war of Troy, King Priam thinks that Troy will never be defeated, so in the intoxication of victory, he lets Trojan Horse in the walls of the city and this will be the beginning of the end. It resembles the Turkish War of Independence (1919). In Independence war, Turkish won a great victory in Çanakkale (a close location to Troy) and it led to the victory in the war in general. However, the message of the opera is never thinking yourself invincible and remember even if it seems that you are victorius, things could go opposite direction and be cautious.
I wish they'd release the whole opera as music or video so I would listen to or watch it again. Especially, Achilles and Hector duello of dancers, "Troy will never be defeated" and "Troy is in flames" arias. Until that time, there is this collage on Youtube, enjoy !
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