Türkiye hosts “Çelebi” opera, bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions
Opera tells story of Ottoman muezzin’s journey to understanding human relationships, blending Turkish musical motifs with Western techniques
ANKARA, Türkiye (MNTV) — Türkiye’s Ankara State Opera and Ballet (ADOB) marked a historic moment with the world premiere of “Çelebi,” an opera composed by Cemal Reşit Rey, with a libretto by his brother Ekrem Reşit Rey.
The opera, which had remained unperformed for nearly five decades, was presented at the Opera Stage in Ankara on April 19, 2025, showcasing a fusion of Eastern and Western musical styles, reported Daily Sabah.
Composed in 1945 and finalized in 1975, “Çelebi” explores the cultural and intellectual journey of a young muezzin named Çelebi Mehmet Efendi, set during the Tulip Era of the Ottoman Empire.
The opera delves into themes of identity, tradition, and modernity, blending Turkish musical motifs with Western operatic techniques.
At the premiere, Tan Sağtürk, General Director of the State Opera and Ballet, expressed pride in presenting the opera to the audience.
He highlighted the work as a significant milestone in the evolution of Turkish opera.
“This opera represents both a journey of the character and a cultural voyage through an East-West synthesis,” Sağtürk said, acknowledging the contributions of the production’s artistic and technical teams.
The opera’s title, “Çelebi,” refers to a refined and cultured individual from the Ottoman era, known for their pursuit of knowledge, literature, and the arts.
“The opera narrates the character’s journey to understand human relationships, while reflecting the social and cultural atmosphere of the time,” Sağtürk added.
The production, a tribute to the legacy of Türkiye’s founding leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was made possible thanks to the efforts of Aydın Karlıbel, a student of Cemal Reşit Rey, who completed missing sections and prepared the opera for staging.
“Çelebi” was directed by Gürçil Çeliktaş, with Rustam Rahmedov conducting the orchestra and Ivan Pekhov directing the choir.
The lead roles featured Seda Aracı Ayazlı as “Fatma,” Aykut Çınar as “Çelebi,” and Erdem Baydar as “Sadrazam.”
The opera will be staged four more times this season, with performances scheduled from April 21 to 26 and May 3 to 12, featuring rotating casts for the lead roles.
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