Saygun-Bartók Meets

The Modern Echo of Roots: The Meeting of Saygun & Bartók

On the evening of March 26th, within the enchanting atmosphere of the Süreyya Opera House, we embark on a journey that traverses the fine line from local to universal in music. In this special evening, part of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet's "National Music" series, the spirits of two genius composers, Ahmed Adnan Saygun and Béla Bartók, converge on the same stage under the direction of conductor İbrahim Yazıcı.

Saygun and Bartók were not merely ethnologists compiling the sounds of their own lands, but visionaries reconstructing those sounds with the language of the modern world. While Bartók wove the fierce rhythms of Eastern Europe with contemporary texture, Saygun embedded Anatolia's ancient sound memory into the backbone of music. Tonight, you will witness how the "local" embraces the "universal."

Soloists and Artists:

• Selva Erdener (Soprano): Known for her clarity and strong technique, Erdener brings the spirit of Anatolia to the stage with her voice.

• Murat Erginol (Violin): One of Turkey's leading violinists, Erginol combines technical mastery with deep sensitivity.