Research Article


DOI :10.26650/CONS2024-1477782   IUP :10.26650/CONS2024-1477782    Full Text (PDF)

Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability

Sultan Ayça SungurBaşak Gorgorettı

This study examines the mythological elements in 21st century Turkish operas through the analysis of the librettos of the sample works within the scope of the research, the decor, costumes and characters used on stage, and evaluates and discusses the relationship between opera-mythology-sustainability. In order to examine the mythological elements they contain, 3 Turkish operas composed in the 21st century were selected, namely: “Ninatta” (Composed by: Evrim Demirel, Libretto: Ahmet Ümit), “Another World” (original title: Başka Bir Dünya, Composed by: Selman Ada, Libretto: Tarık Günersel) and “İnanna” (Composed by: Çetin Işıksözlü, Libretto: Eflatun Neimetzade). The study sought answers to the following questions: (i) How the mythological elements in the operas “Ninatta”, “Another World” and “Inanna” are handled, (ii) the cultural basis of the mythological elements in the libretto, (iii) the language used in the libretto, and (iv) the contribution of operas dealing with mythology to sustainability. During the analysis of the operas “Ninatta”, “Another World” and “Inanna”, the opinions of composers and librettists were consulted and the data collected through the interview technique were interpreted and used in the text.

It was concluded that the mythological elements in the operas examined in the research, were transferred by composers and librettists through the cultures that lived in the ancient lands of Ancient Greece and Anatolia. In the interviews, it was stated by the librettists and composers that it is difficult to understand and interpret the present and the future without knowing the history of humanity, and it was emphasized that the realization of cultural transfer can be achieved by knowing the past. Art-culture relationship and interaction, with their inherent transfer and continuity features, play an important role in supporting and ensuring sustainability, and in structuring and strengthening the cultural sustainability dimension in the future. 

DOI :10.26650/CONS2024-1477782   IUP :10.26650/CONS2024-1477782    Full Text (PDF)

21. Yüzyıl Türk Operalarındaki Mitolojik Unsurlar ve Opera-Mitoloji-Sürdürülebilirlik İlişkisi

Sultan Ayça SungurBaşak Gorgorettı

Bu çalışmada 21. yy. Türk operalarındaki mitolojik unsurlar araştırma kapsamındaki örnek eserlerin librettosu (opera metni), sahnede kullanılan dekor, kostüm ve karakterlerin analizi yoluyla incelenmiş, opera-mitoloji sürdürülebilirlik ilişkisi değerlendirilerek tartışılmıştır. İçerdiği mitolojik unsurlar bakımından 21. yy.’da bestelenmiş 3 Türk operası seçilmiştir, bunlar: “Ninatta” -Beste: Evrim Demirel, Libretto: Ahmet Ümit, Başka Bir Dünya Beste:Selman Ada, Libretto: Tarık Günersel ve “İnanna”-Beste: Çetin Işıksözlü, Libretto: Eflatun Neimetzade operalarıdır. Çalışmada “Ninatta”, “Başka Dünya” ve “İnanna” operalarında işlenmiş olan mitolojik unsurların nasıl ele alındığı, libretto’da geçen mitolojik öğelerin kültürel dayanağı, librettoda kullanılan dil, mitolojiyi ele alan operaların sürdürülebilirliğe katkısının ne olduğu sorularına yanıtlar aranmıştır. Operaların incelenmesi aşamasında besteci ve Librettistlerin de görüşlerine başvurulmuş ve görüşme tekniği ile toplanan veriler yorumlanmıştır. 

Araştırmada incelenen operalarda mitolojik unsurların, besteci ve Librettistler tarafından Antik Yunan ve Anadolu’daki kadim topraklarda yaşamış olan kültürler üzerinden aktarıldığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Yapılan görüşmelerde insanlığın tarihini bilmeden, bugünü ve geleceği anlamaları, anlamlandırmalarının zor olduğu Librettist ve besteciler tarafından belirtilmiş, kültürel aktarımın gerçekleşmesinin ise geçmişi bilmekle olabileceği vurgusu yapılmıştır. Sanat-kültür ilişkisi ve etkileşimi, doğalarında barındırdıkları aktarım ve devamlılık özellikleri ile, sürdürülebilirliğin desteklenmesi ve sağlanmasında, gelecekte ise kültürel sürdürülebilirlik boyutunun yapılanması ve güçlenmesinde önemli rol üstlenmektedirler. 


EXTENDED ABSTRACT


Mythology is a set of elements that combine fantasy, politics and historicity dramatically, and bring cultural and social events together on the same platform. The connection between opera and mythology is chronological, that is, historical. People living in ancient civilizations were interested in mythology and the first operas were about mythology, which, from one perspective, can also be interpreted as a conscious choice of topics made in order to attract people’s attention to a newly emerged performing art. Starting from ancient Greek mythology, all mythologies from Rome, Anatolia, China, Mesopotamia and other cultures are still used from the first operas to today’s operas. 

This study examines the mythological elements in 21st century Turkish operas through the analysis of the librettos of the sample works within the scope of the research, the decor, costumes and characters used on stage, and evaluates and discusses the relationship between opera-mythology-sustainability. In order to examine the mythological elements they contain, 3 Turkish operas composed in the 21st century were selected, namely: “Ninatta” (Composed by: Evrim Demirel, Libretto: Ahmet Ümit), “Another World” (original title: Başka Bir Dünya, Composed by: Selman Ada, Libretto: Tarık Günersel) and “İnanna” (Composed by: Çetin Işıksözlü, Libretto: Eflatun Neimetzade). The study sought answers to the following questions: (i) How the mythological elements in the operas “Ninatta”, “Another World” and “Inanna” are handled, (ii) the cultural basis of the mythological elements in the libretto, (iii) the language used in the libretto, and (iv) the contribution of operas dealing with mythology to sustainability. During the analysis of the operas “Ninatta”, “Another World” and “Inanna”, the opinions of composers and librettists were consulted and the data collected through the interview technique were interpreted and used in the text.

Mythology, which is one of several different cultural elements conveyed through art in general and opera in particular, also serves as a carrier of sustainability. The myths created by people from past to present to understand life have shaped the beliefs and narratives of Ancient Greece and Mesopotamia in Anatolian lands and have appeared before us in these forms. In addition to Ancient Greek mythology, which is a very extensive source, Mesopotamian mythology also gives clues about understanding culture. As depicted in the opera Inanna, Sumerian mythology included stories describing more peaceful events than Greek mythology. It is observed that Turkish operas, which focus on mythology, play an important role in the context of sustainability, especially in carrying Anatolian and Mesopotamian mythologies to the present day.

Topics such as history, religion, natural events, astrology and space, which we revisit through operas, change and transform in mythology. In this way, they not only ensure cultural continuity by obtaining a new form, but also contribute to cultural development. Mythology plays an important role in the transfer of intangible cultural heritage. Opera, on the other hand, as one of the arts that deals with mythology, is critical in preserving and sustaining the common cultural identity with the mythological elements it includes. People have always lived with mythology until today, and each person has had their own myths and fantasy worlds. The relationship and interaction in ensuring sustainability and cultural development between art and culture, as two important phenomena, will continue to accommodate their inherent characteristics of transfer and continuity into the future. 


PDF View

References

  • Akyıldız, N. A., & Olgun, T. N. (2020). Tarihi Kentlerin Sürdürülebilir Korunmasında Kolektif Belleğin Önemi: Elazığ-Harput Kenti Örneği, Geleceğin Dünyasında Bilimsel ve Mesleki Çalışmalar 2020 Mimarlık ve Tasarım / I, (Ed: A. Erçetin, D. Aydemir), Bursa: Ekin Yayınevi. google scholar
  • Altun, I., & Çınaroğlu, M. (2020). “Tarihin Sonu” Olgusu ve Eskatologya Mitleri. Milli Folklor Dergisi, 16(128), 28-40. google scholar
  • Atak, P. (2007). Çağdaş Türk Bestecilerinin Operalarının İncelenmesi, Yüksek Lisans Tezi, İstanbul Kültür Üniversitesi. google scholar
  • Aytimur, R. G. (2022). Türk Opera Eserlerinin Metinlerinde Yer Alan Fantastik Öge ve Unsurların İncelenmesi. Electronic Turkish Studies, 17, 6. 10.7827/TurkishStudies.62743 google scholar
  • Benson, S. (2010). Fairy-Tale Opera and the Crossed Desires of Words and Music. Contemporary Music Review, 29(2), 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1080/07494467.2010.534925 google scholar
  • Brundtland, G. H. (1987). Ortak Geleceğimiz Dünya Çevre ve Kalkınma Komisyonu Raporu. Ankara: Türkiye Çevre Sorunları Vakfı. google scholar
  • Celasin, C. (2007), Orta Tunç Çağı’ndan Roma Dönemi’ne Anadolu Müzik Kültürü’nün Analizi, Doktora Tezi, İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi. google scholar
  • Çakır, E. (2013). Akademik Dünyanın Kentsel İmgelerinden Mitolojik Simgelerine Üniversite Logoları. Millî Folklor Dergisi, 97, 53-69. google scholar
  • Danışman, B. (2020). Türk Opera Sanatında Mitolojinin Yeri - Nevit Kodallı’nın “Gilgameş Operası”nın, “Gılgamış Destanı” ile Karşılaştırılması ve İncelenmesi, Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Ege Üniversitesi. google scholar
  • Güleç, İ. Ş., & Güleç, E. S. (2023). Gilgameş Destanının Çağdaş Yorumu: Nevid Kodallı ve Ahmed Adnan Saygun’un Gilgameş Operaları. Conservatorium, 10(2), 27-38. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2023-13 google scholar
  • Günersel T. (2007). “Şiir &Libretto....biraz da hayat”. Sanat Dünyamız, 102, 124-125. google scholar
  • Hunter M. (1991). Some representations of opera seria in opera buffa. Cambridge Opera Journal, 3(2), 89-108. doi:10.1017/S0954586700003426 google scholar
  • Küçük, D., & Koçaslan, G. (2018). Türk Operalarında Tarih Öncesi Anadolu Medeniyetlerinin İzleri: Gılgameş ve “İnanna” Operaları. Azerbaijan National Conservatory, 264-270. google scholar
  • Midgley, M. (2003). The Myths We Live By. London: Taylor & Francis. google scholar
  • Mızıkacı, M. (2022) (Ed.). Dünya senin ellerinde "Sürdürülebilir sanat kavramına bir bakış". İstanbul: Yeni İnsan Yayınevi. google scholar
  • Stanwood, P. G. (1977). Fantasy and fairy tale in twentieth-century opera. Mosaic:An Interdisciplinary. Critical Journal, 10(2), 183-195. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24780291 google scholar
  • T.C. Kültür Turizm Bakanlığı (2017). “Ninatta”, İstanbul: İstanbul Devlet Opera ve Balesi Müdürlüğü Yayınları. google scholar
  • T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı (2006). “İnanna”, Ankara: Ankara Devlet Opera ve Balesi Müdürlüğü Yayınları. google scholar
  • Tunçay, B. (2023). Tarık Günersel’in hayatı ve sanat anlayışı. (Yayınlanmamış Doktora Tezi). Harran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Şanlıurfa. google scholar

Citations

Copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the options to export in your chosen format


EXPORT



APA

Sungur, S.A., & Gorgorettı, B. (2024). Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability. Conservatorium, 11(1), 177-190. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


AMA

Sungur S A, Gorgorettı B. Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability. Conservatorium. 2024;11(1):177-190. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


ABNT

Sungur, S.A.; Gorgorettı, B. Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability. Conservatorium, [Publisher Location], v. 11, n. 1, p. 177-190, 2024.


Chicago: Author-Date Style

Sungur, Sultan Ayça, and Başak Gorgorettı. 2024. “Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability.” Conservatorium 11, no. 1: 177-190. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


Chicago: Humanities Style

Sungur, Sultan Ayça, and Başak Gorgorettı. “Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability.” Conservatorium 11, no. 1 (Jul. 2025): 177-190. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


Harvard: Australian Style

Sungur, SA & Gorgorettı, B 2024, 'Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability', Conservatorium, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 177-190, viewed 26 Jul. 2025, https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


Harvard: Author-Date Style

Sungur, S.A. and Gorgorettı, B. (2024) ‘Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability’, Conservatorium, 11(1), pp. 177-190. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782 (26 Jul. 2025).


MLA

Sungur, Sultan Ayça, and Başak Gorgorettı. “Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability.” Conservatorium, vol. 11, no. 1, 2024, pp. 177-190. [Database Container], https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


Vancouver

Sungur SA, Gorgorettı B. Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability. Conservatorium [Internet]. 26 Jul. 2025 [cited 26 Jul. 2025];11(1):177-190. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782 doi: 10.26650/CONS2024-1477782


ISNAD

Sungur, SultanAyça - Gorgorettı, Başak. “Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability”. Conservatorium 11/1 (Jul. 2025): 177-190. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONS2024-1477782



TIMELINE


Submitted03.05.2024
Accepted19.06.2024
Published Online20.06.2024

LICENCE


Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC)

This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.


SHARE




Istanbul University Press aims to contribute to the dissemination of ever growing scientific knowledge through publication of high quality scientific journals and books in accordance with the international publishing standards and ethics. Istanbul University Press follows an open access, non-commercial, scholarly publishing.