site.btaSofia Opera Brings Strauss's "Elektra" to Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul Thursday

The Sofia Opera and Ballet, one of the favourite companies at international festivals, is staging Richard Strauss's Elektra at the Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul on Thursday. The troupe coming from Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, will be performing with a distinguished cast and striking stage design - this is how the Sofia Opera and Ballet is featured in the programme of the 16th International Istanbul Opera Festival.

The festival is the most prestigious event for opera and ballet not just in Istanbul but in Turkiye. Its 16th edition is held under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and the Directorate General of Turkish State Opera and Ballet, along with various sponsors.

The Istanbul festival stands out among Turkiye's four international opera and ballet festivals, which are taking place this year between May and September in Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and Izmir/Bornova. Leading opera and ballet companies from around the world, along with guest artists from Bulgaria, the Republic of Korea, China, Germany, Italy, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia and Uzbekistan are participating in the festivals, BTA learned from the Festival Directorate.

Elektra by Richard Strauss is one of the most powerful interpretations of Greek tragedy, exploring themes of revenge, justice and family ties with intense dramatic force.

The production is directed by Plamen Kartaloff. Strauss's multi-layered score, combined with Kartaloff's striking stage vision, offers the audience an unforgettable experience.

The orchestra of the Sofia Opera and Ballet will be conducted by Evan-Alexis Christ. With its rich orchestration and intense dramatic structure, Elektra takes the audience on a gripping journey from start to finish.

The stage design reinforces the narrative strength of the production.

"Freddy Franzutti's choreography, costumes by Leo Kulas, set design by Sven Jonke, and lighting design by Andrej Hajdinjak create a unified visual and auditory experience on stage, drawing the audience into Elektra's dark and mesmerizing world," says the programme note for the performance by the Sofia Opera and Ballet at the Ataturk Cultural Center.