Thursday, December 13, 2007

Mevlana's Life Story Retold on Ballet Stage

Today's Zaman - Istanbul, Turkey
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ankara: The 13th century Sufi saint, Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, will be getting another tribute from the world of art on the 734th anniversary of his death when the Ankara-based Simurg dance company's new production "Sır" (Secret) premieres on Dec. 17.


The modern ballet, choreographed and directed by ballet dancer Selçuk Göldere of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet's Modern Dance Troupe (MDT), is based on the sema ritual of the whirling dervishes.

Featuring classical Turkish music composer İsmail Dede Efendi's music for Mevlevi rituals as its score, the one-act show will be staged at the Ministry of Education's Assembly Hall.

Göldere told reporters this week during rehearsals that "Sır" diversified the methods of expression using modern dance routines but that the performance would stay loyal to the sema ritual -- particularly its musical structure.

The piece follows Mevlana's life story, works, philosophy of life and teachings, Göldere said.

"One important element in the life of Mevlana is the inner journey he takes toward his self; a secret. Our performance reveals that secret," he said.

Tickets for the performance, slated for Dec. 17 at 8 p.m., can be purchased at www.biletix.com

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ballet dancers whirling to Sufi music, wow :) Now that is one ballet even I would go see :)

Ya Haqq!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Mevlana's Life Story Retold on Ballet Stage
Today's Zaman - Istanbul, Turkey
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ankara: The 13th century Sufi saint, Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, will be getting another tribute from the world of art on the 734th anniversary of his death when the Ankara-based Simurg dance company's new production "Sır" (Secret) premieres on Dec. 17.


The modern ballet, choreographed and directed by ballet dancer Selçuk Göldere of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet's Modern Dance Troupe (MDT), is based on the sema ritual of the whirling dervishes.

Featuring classical Turkish music composer İsmail Dede Efendi's music for Mevlevi rituals as its score, the one-act show will be staged at the Ministry of Education's Assembly Hall.

Göldere told reporters this week during rehearsals that "Sır" diversified the methods of expression using modern dance routines but that the performance would stay loyal to the sema ritual -- particularly its musical structure.

The piece follows Mevlana's life story, works, philosophy of life and teachings, Göldere said.

"One important element in the life of Mevlana is the inner journey he takes toward his self; a secret. Our performance reveals that secret," he said.

Tickets for the performance, slated for Dec. 17 at 8 p.m., can be purchased at www.biletix.com

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ballet dancers whirling to Sufi music, wow :) Now that is one ballet even I would go see :)

Ya Haqq!