Elegant start to ballet season

Deniz Burak FLAG

One of the first major steps of the season took place at the Kadıköy Municipality Süreyya Opera House. The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (IDOB) took its audience on a journey through some of the most elegant moments in ballet history with its performance of the Tchaikovsky Ballet Gala.

These kinds of premieres aren't just performances; they're also a kind of "prologue," offering a glimpse into the new season's aesthetic and stage spirit. Last night's show was similar; it gracefully opened the door to a long season.

THE FINENESS OF BALLET

The Swan Lake scenes, revived on stage with choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, reminded us once again of ballet's timeless elegance. Petipa's choreographic sections for The Sleeping Beauty, on the other hand, brought a brighter, more joyful universe to the stage.

Thus, the gala brought together two distinct dramatic worlds in a single night. Its success lies in the way Tchaikovsky's music is transformed into movement on stage. The gala performance combined the composer's dramatic depth and the simple power of the choreography with the balance of light.

With the simplicity of the décor and the aesthetics of the costumes, the show felt more like a “musical expression” than a “representation.”

HARMONY OF GUNAYLAR

And, of course, the dancers were at the center of this narrative. Ballet demands perfect harmony on stage. The most striking moments of the premiere occurred during the scenes where Berin Günay and Yılmaz Berkay Günay took the stage together.

The perfect timing and genuine onstage chemistry between the two dancers engaged the audience not only with a technical display but also with a story. This kind of onstage unity demonstrates not only technical mastery but also a dance partnership that understands each other. Therefore, their bond transcends mere partnership.

A SUSTAINABLE BOND

Ballet Galas are special performances featured only at the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet's season openings. However, the venue for these performances is the Süreyya Opera House each year. While the Atatürk Cultural Center, located on the European side of Istanbul's ballet scene, hosts a rich repertoire year-round, the Anatolian side has to make do with a rather limited program.

However, the regular presence of such qualified performances at the Süreyya Opera House, not only at the beginning of the season but also under different titles throughout the year, could contribute to establishing a more sustainable bond between the audience on the Anatolian side and the art of ballet.

Moreover, such a step will create significant convenience for viewers – especially older ones – who have transportation difficulties or find it difficult to watch performances late at night.

Making ballet more accessible throughout the city could also be a way to expand the audience base and distribute cultural life more evenly.