The music and opera projects are driven by criteria such as the European dimension, cities and urbanity, cultural diversity and dialogue, education and development. Therefore, the various projects aim at strengthening modern cultural phenomenon in Turkey by creating incentives for national and European artists to collaborate, spreading the extent of art across the city and encouraging the mobility and activity of culture sector workers.



All Music & Opera Projects

Istanbul and its Organs Istanbul used to be an important center for organ production in second half of the 19th Century. This project traces back the lost organs.

1st International Istanbul Opera Festival General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet is proud to present the 1st International Istanbul Opera Festival within the scope of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Internetional Competition of Istanbul Songs Atlas Organization, with the great contribution of 2010 Istanbul ECOC is organizing Internetional Competition of Istanbul Songswith its qualified team under the management of Azade Başağa and Ertuğrul Kale.

Music of the ‘Script’ Yazı’nın Müziği (31 Mayıs) This project features a Hatt artist writing a script by sitting among notable instruments such as piano and harp.

"Türküyem" Music and Dance Show (27-28 May) "Türküyem" Music and Dance Show connects our folk songs with instruments and harmony of classical western music.

In Tune with The Arp! Master harp performers from various world cultures are preparing to meet with new audiences in Istanbul, with the support of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

'2010 Chopin Year of the World' celebrations start in Istanbul the ECOC in 2010 "Istanbul 2010 Chopin Piano Weeks" starts by the recital on Sunday evening, April 11 at Kadiköy Süreyya Opera House, and will go on until Sunday, May 9.

Istanbul and Harp "Istanbul and Harp" is a work-order and album recording project realized by the Art of Harp Association with the support of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

From Schiller to Yunus, from Ruhr to Istanbul: Peace Bridge Public concerts in two 2010 European Capital of Culture cities, Ruhr and Istanbul on April 08.

An Intersection: Roads, Music and Istanbul The aim of the project is to show how Istanbul, as a melting pot of different cultures, effects the different artists from diverse cultures and origins, with its civic attraction and turns into an inspirational source.

Tales of Future 'Tales of Future' is a multimedia activity that combines music and technology in an innovative approach by including an installation project and the music album "Tales of Future" by Sinan Bökesoy.

Peace concert at Brussels: "Music Beyond the Conflicts” A Peace Concert by Turkish, Greek, Cypriot, Armenian, Jewish, Iranian, Egyptian and American pianists with an emphasis on similarities rather than diversities.

A Story of the City Constantinople-İstanbul “A Story of the City Constantinople-İstanbul” is an original music project which is realized by taking into consideration basic criteria prescribed by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

Classical Turkish Music Projects

Teravih-i Enderun and Public Muezzinship “Enderûn Style Teravih” implementation and “Public Muezzinship” projects make a good reference point for the future.

Turkish Music Instruments This project is to fill a great gap with a rich content of music instruments which are still used, rarely used or forgotten in Classical Turkish Music, Turkish folk music and the Mehter (military/Janissary) music.

2010 the year of Ali Ufkî (Ali Ufkî is 400 years old) Known by the name Ali Ufkî in our cultural history, Albert Bobowski was an important name in Ottoman state history due to his musical work as well as political assignments.

Yorgo Bacanos Istanbul International Ud Festival This project is named after Yorgo Bacanos, one of the greatest udists of our music history, as a tribute to his 110th anniversary.

Music of Istanbul’s Architecture Through this project, the Turkish Music Foundation aims to establish time/place/music interaction by performing period music at 9 different locations in Istanbul.

A forgotten Istanbul Ritual: Teravih-i Enderun and Public Muezzinship This musical ritual will be registered on an album to point out a forgotten tradition and help raise new practitioners.

Dârülelhan Compilation This project is comprised of 4 DVDs and a “Dârüelhan Compilation” that has been converted into today’s note system.

Fieldwork in Istanbul’s Environs A great cultural treasure which has remained unknown until today is now coming out as an Istanbul 2010 ECOC event.

The Memory of Turkish Music Culture Turkish music repertory is getting compiled entirely for the first time to form a tremendously rich resource of 70 thousand pieces.

Terirem / Terennüm Words “terirem” and “terennüm” mean the same thing in Greek and in Turkish; and they refer to meaningless lyrics with which vocal artists join in instrumental music.

Münirİstanbul Songs of Münir Nurettin Selçuk are now voiced by a great team within a modern frame but without compromising respect to his classical style.

Two ancient sounds of Istanbul: Ney and Tambur The project aims at inviting “ney” and tambur” virtuosos of different styles to embark on a joint musical thought about Istanbul.

Turkish Music Makam Guide “Turkish Music Makam Guide” is a book and endorsed CD to introduce the most used 60 makams in Classical Turkish Music.