2021 - BODRUM

After our successful 2019 season in Orvieto, Italy, we moved our festival to Bodrum to produce our second festival under the name VAO Bodrum. We are glad to make Bodrum our home and proud to be the first and only international opera festival of the beautiful, blue Bodrum City.

We had a successful season thanks to the support of our generous sponsors. The quality of VAO Bodrum would not be possible without the support of Bodrum Municipality, Mayor Ahmet Aras, and all our sponsors. We were able to accomplish our first season in Turkey because of the special spirit of Bodrum and the warm Aegean people. Many gracious thanks to our young and intellectual audiences who come to see our performances who have met our performances with great interest.

Our students, faculty, and audiences have lifetime memories from our magical night in Bodrum's oldest hotel at Karia Princess, our Don Giovanni Performance in the 2500 year-old Antique Stone Quarry in Gümüşlük, and a stunning opera

concert under the stars at the beautiful Sianji Resort. Special thanks to Dore Music for providing discounted keyboards and Milta Marina in their support to announce events.

We are thankful for the devoted work and cooperation with the International Music Festival in the production of our main opera. Our multiple concert experiences provided a completely different musical experience for audiences and performers, making musical art more accessible to the masses. In the pursuit of accessibility, we broadcast select concert material live from the Karia Princess Hotel and are pleased to expand our online and offline stage experience to our students in the future.

Emerging artist talents who came to the program from various parts of the world were fascinated by the historical, cultural, and environmental beauties of Bodrum. We believe our first of many seasons in Bodrum was an invaluable experience not only for us but also for our young talents.

Our sincere thanks to our academy members, sponsors, and students who worked so hard to bring the festival to life.

Like William Shakespeare said, “If music be the food of love, play on.” We will continue to work to make opera that everyone will love.

All our photos on 2021 festival are thanks to Özlem Stella Simee

@ozlemstellasimee

Performances

Participants had the opportunity to enjoy many different performance types and venues, singing material from jazz and musical theater into classic and modern opera literature.

Creativity

Creative makeup designs were featured in the death chorus of Don Giovanni with each student expressing their own unique style.

Ensemble

Acting seminars allowed students to connect with one another while honing their craft.

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Taking Center Stage

Performing Don Giovanni at the naturally acoustic ancient stone quarry was a beautiful opportunity to shine on a massive stage. (rehearsal pictured)

Autenthicity

We encourage each artist to shine and grow as an individual, tailoring performances and training to the students' needs.

Amazing Venues

Performances at the Ancient Stone Quarry, Sianji Resort, Karia Princess Hotel and Midtown Mall featured shining artists emerging on tomorrow's opera stages.