Bodrum to host stars at music festival in August
ISTANBUL
The Bodrum Music Festival will once again feature a slate of international musical celebrities during its 15th anniversary Aug. 22-25.
Founded by Doğuş Group in 2005, the popularity of the festival has led Bodrum to becoming a music and art destination. The festival has brought art enthusiasts together with stars who have performed at the leading music venues in the world as well as famous Turkish musicians, all while lending generous support to young talents at the beginning of their music careers.
At the 15th year of the festival, Say and the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra will perform the opening concert of the festival, under the direction of conductor Nil Venditti, a rising star in the music world.
Over the span of four days, the festival will also host musicians, including Pablo Ferrández, Ksenija Sidorova, Karsu, Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev, Vassilis Varvaresos, Sara Ferrández, Umut Sağlam, Faruk Kalaycı, Francesco Tristano, Koray Futacı, Jess Gillam, Zeynep Özsuca and Mert Fırat. They will be joined by ensembles including the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, the Olten Philharmonic Orchestra and Sväng Harmonica Quartet from Finland, which is known for its extraordinary tango renditions.
The festival will continue to organize Sunrise Concerts to support young talents in the first steps of their professional careers. The young members of the Doğuş Children’s Symphony Orchestra will share their enthusiasm once again performing a concert at the first light of day.
As for the Sunset Concerts, internationally-acclaimed artists will be making valuable collaborations. At the Zai Bodrum venue, world-famous accordion virtuoso Sidorova and actor Fırat will come together to perform a memorable interdisciplinary production on the influence of Russian literature on history.
At the Evening Concerts, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, under İbrahim Yazıcı, will perform the Turkish premiere of Say’s “HOPE” Symphony.
Also at the Evening Concerts, the famous Finnish harmonica quartet Sväng along with Ksenija Sidorova and Olten Philharmonic will deliver a memorable performance to music lovers.
This year, yet another surprise guest of the Evening Concerts is one of the world-famous figures of the jazz scenes, Karsu. The meeting of Karsu, recipient of Holland’s prestigious Edison Jazz Award, and the Olten Philharmonic will be one of the highlights of the festival.
The festival also provides an extraordinary atmosphere with Night Concerts. Short stories of Sabahattin Ali, which have had a profound influence on Turkish literature, will come to life once again with music from the composer and master saxophonist Korhan Futacı, and the voice of actor Mert Fırat.
Francesco Tristano, “Rivayet Radyosu” (Rumor Radio), saxophonist Jess Gillam and pianist Zeynep Özsuca will be on the stage during the Night Concerts.
The Bodrum Music Festival is a member of the European Festivals Association. Since its foundation, the Bodrum festival has been donating all ticket proceeds to charitable foundations and societies.
The festival venues will be Sabancı Park, D-Marin Turgutreis Amphitheater, Zai Bodrum and The Marmara Bodrum.
An event that has drawn attention from the first time it was organized, “A Bodrum Tale with Saffet Emre Tonguç” continues this year. On Aug. 23 and 24 at 6 p.m. A Bodrum Tale will be accompanied by award-winning travel writer Saffet Emre Tonguç’s narration on the excavation of one of UNESCO’s Seven Wonders of the World, Bodrum Halicarnassus Mausoleum.