Mythological Elements in 21st Century Turkish Operas and the Relationship Between Opera-Mythology-Sustainability
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.
21. Yüzyıl Türk Operalarındaki Mitolojik Unsurlar ve Opera-Mitoloji-Sürdürülebilirlik İlişkisi
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.
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.