12 Oct 2016

They may not be bringing the coveted Romeo and Juliet kind of rendition, but Turkish Mezzo Soprano Serap Çiftçi and pianist Nurser Ugan are a force to reckon with.

They are scheduled to set Maitisong Theatre alight, come October 26.

Çiftçi is a prominent figure in Turkish opera, whose art is also praised by audiences in Europe, Latin America and the United States due to its uniqueness, where opera is blended with the traditional Turkish tunes.

Embassy of turkey in Botswana highlights that the two opera singers aim to introduce Turkish folk music in the polyphonic form representing the rich culture of Anatolia as well as the diverse nature of Turkish music to the world.

Born in Izmir, Çiftçi started her music schooling at the Opera Department of Performing Arts and Music at Dokuz Eylul University State Conservatoire in Izmir, Turkey.

She worked with Prof. Sevda Aydan, who is considered one of the most successful Turkish opera singers. Following her graduation, she won the audition at the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul and began her professional music career at Cemal Resit Rey Opera House in 1998.

A year later, she joined Antalya State Opera and Ballet and participated in their opera productions and before going solo in many operas and concerts in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

In 2002 and 2005 she went to Austria to attend master- classes in opera voice training in Summer Music Academia in Lilienfeld.

In addition to her opera performances in Turkey, she has given numerous concerts and recitals in Europe, and participated in Musica Mundana’s performances in the United States.

Her counterpart, pianist Nurser Ugan was born in Istanbul and graduated from the St George Austrian High School in 1978 before pursuing her music schooling at the Piano Department of the Istanbul State Conservatory.

After returning to Turkey, she concluded her university education with a distinction at the State Conservatory of the Istanbul University.

Between 1994 and 1999, she attended Dr Hoch’s Conservatory in Frankfort, Germany and received a special certificate in piano education and opera-musical and song-accompaniment.

Ugan has been teaching full time at the state Conservatory of the Istanbul University since 2000 and performs continuously at concerts both in national and international music venues, festivals and institutions. ENDS