Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival returns tomorrow for its 33rd edition

The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will open tomorrow in the historic atmosphere of the ancient theater for its 33rd edition. The program features Verdi’s “Attila,” the ballets “Anna Karenina” and “Spartacus,” and the staged cantata “Carmina Burana.”

Scraper SystemSeptember 11, 2026, 05:51 PM

Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival returns tomorrow for its 33rd edition

The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will begin tomorrow at the ancient Aspendos Theater in Antalya. The festival will bring audiences renowned opera and ballet works in a historic setting.

Barış Salcan, general director and artistic director of Türkiye’s State Opera and Ballet, said Aspendos is located in an ancient city in southern Türkiye and that the theater has a history of approximately 2,000 years.

The festival began in 1994

First held in 1994, the festival gained international status in 1998. Salcan said holding a festival at the ancient theater, which was built for artistic performances and concerts, was a special experience.

Salcan said Aspendos’ acoustics have been largely preserved to the present day and noted that the venue has features suitable for artistic events.

The program features opera, ballet and a staged cantata

The festival will open with Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Attila.” The program will also feature the ballet “Anna Karenina,” set to music by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, and the choreographic staged cantata “Carmina Burana.”

Kazakhstan’s Abai State Opera and Ballet Theater will also take part in the program with the ballet “Spartacus.”

Salcan highlights the festival’s international character

Salcan emphasized the festival’s international character and the standard of productions in Türkiye. He said that most productions in Türkiye meet international standards and that bringing them together with foreign audiences and tourists in Aspendos makes a significant contribution to tourism.

Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival returns tomorrow for its 33rd edition