The 33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, organized by the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet, will bring four major opera and ballet productions to audiences at the historic Aspendos Ancient Theatre in Türkiye's Antalya from Sept. 12-26, 2026.

The festival will feature one opera, two ballets and one staged cantata across six performances. Artists from Kazakhstan’s Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre will also take part in the program. All performances will begin at 9 p.m.

The festival will open Sept. 12 with Giuseppe Verdi’s opera "Attila,” staged by the Antalya State Opera and Ballet at the Aspendos Ancient Theatre.

One of Verdi’s early masterpieces, the three-act opera explores power, loyalty, revenge and belonging through a dramatic portrayal of historical events. Centered on the Hun ruler Attila and Odabella’s vow of revenge, the work tells a story of love, betrayal and a struggle for power, accompanied by Verdi’s powerful music and dramatic choral scenes.

Directed by Yiğit Günsoy, the production will feature Şafak Güç as Attila, Bilge Yılmaz as Odabella, Burak Pektaş as Foresto and Serhat Konukman as Ezio.

The Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra will perform under conductor Lorenzo Castriota, while the Antalya State Opera and Ballet Chorus will be led by chorus master Mahir Seyrek. Set and costume design is by Semahat Gülden Sayıl, choreography by Bader Çakan and lighting design by Inan Erbil Sefer.

"Attila,” the final premiere production of the Antalya State Opera and Ballet’s 2025-26 season, will open the festival on the Aspendos stage.

‘Anna Karenina’ interpretation

The ballet "Anna Karenina” will be staged Sept. 15, presenting Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel through a contemporary ballet interpretation.

The production tells the tragic story of Anna Karenina as she struggles between love, loyalty, passion and jealousy. Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Giacomo Puccini and Sergei Prokofiev has been arranged and conducted by Tulio Gagliardo Varas.

South Korean choreographer YoungSoon Hue, who also created the choreography, has given the production a neoclassical interpretation. Set design is by Çağda Çitkaya, costume design by Gülay Korkut and lighting design by Mustafa Eski.

Carl Orff’s renowned staged cantata "Carmina Burana” will be performed by the Antalya State Opera and Ballet on Sept. 19 and 21.

Centered on the changing fortunes of human life, the work explores themes of love, nature and fate through powerful choral passages, striking rhythms and dynamic staging.

The Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra will be conducted by Maximilian Cem Haberstock, while the Antalya State Opera and Ballet Chorus will be led by Mahir Seyrek. The Antalya State Opera and Ballet Children’s Chorus will be directed by Sinem Emine Ulusoy.

The production will bring together soloists, an orchestra, chorus, children’s chorus, ballet company and modern dance troupe in a cast of approximately 250 performers.

‘Spartacus’ to close festival

The festival will conclude Sept. 25 and 26 with "Spartacus,” staged by the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of Kazakhstan’s leading arts institutions.

Founded in 1934, the theater is known for its extensive repertoire and performances at international arts events.

Composed by Aram Khachaturian with a libretto by Nikolai Volkov, a revision by Yuri Grigorovich and choreography by Zaurbek Raybayev, a People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, "Spartacus” tells the story of the legendary gladiator who fought for freedom against the Roman Empire.

With its dramatic structure, large-scale scenes and choreography, the production will bring the festival to a close at the Aspendos Ancient Theatre.