Turkish opera singer Menderes dies at 78

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Meral Menderes

Meral Menderes, a trailblazing Turkish opera artist, has died aged 78 at her house in Istanbul’s Maltepe district, according to a written statement from the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.

Menderes took the Istanbul opera stage for “Tosca” in 2010 for the 50th anniversary of the State Opera and Ballet. During her speech at the ceremony, Menderes commented on the opera’s building problem.
“Please save us from this nomadic situation,” she said, adding that a permanent building to stage opera works in Istanbul should be acquired.

The farewell ceremony for Menderes will take place at Kadıköy Süreyya Opera house at 11 a.m. today. Menderes will be buried at Küçükyalı Cemetery after the ceremony.