2. Turkish Opera and Opera in Turkey
Background: Although sounding alike, these two phrases above differ entirely from each other. When speaking of opera in Turkey, we speak of opera as it started in the Ottoman times, as the research suggests. Whereas when speaking of the Turkish opera, we refer to the authentic Turkish opera; the opera purely "Made in Turkey", as institutionalized with the grounding of the Turkish Republic (1923) and originated by commission of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Fact: The first Turkish opera work Özsoy is composed on commission of Atatürk by Turkish composer and ethnomusicologist Ahmet Adnan Saygun (1907-1991) who belongs to the Turkish Five, the five pioneers of classical music in Turkey. The libretto is by Münir Hayri Egeli (1904-1970). It premiered in Ankara in Halkevi (Volkshaus) on 19th June 1934, before the presences of Atatürk and Riza Sah Pehlevi, on the occasion of the state visit of Riza Sah Pehlevi, the Sah of Iran. Özsoy is a three-act opera, with twelve scenes.
Research Theme: A Critical History of Opera in Turkey with a Portrayal of Turkish opera works.
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["Fuerza al Turco"]