Siemens Türkiye Opera Competition: Young Talents Awarded

The Siemens Turkey Opera Competition, which opens its doors to young talents in Turkish opera art, has concluded. Held for the 26th time this year, the competition offered an important career opportunity for talented young artists. Güneş Uluçay took first place, Berke Tükenmez and Nazlıcan Karakaş shared second place, and Emre Parlar came third.

The "Siemens Turkey Opera Competition," organized since 1998 and regarded as an important career milestone in Turkey's opera world, has concluded. Prize winners were honoured at the organization, which has made significant contributions to the development of culture and arts in Turkey and enabled talented young artists to gain recognition. At the event held in the captivating atmosphere of Kadıköy Süreyya Opera, first-place winner Güneş Uluçay, second-place winners Berke Tükenmez and Nazlıcan Karakaş, and third-place winner Emre Parlar performed alongside 2023 competition winner Eda Umay Akan and 2007 third-place finisher Caner Akgün, Director of Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, showcasing their performances.

CAREER JOURNEYS AWAIT WINNERS

Young competitors who placed in the Siemens Turkey Opera Competition will represent Turkey on some of the world's most important stages. As in every year, the top three young opera artists will receive significant career opportunities at important music institutions worldwide. First-place winner Güneş Uluçay receives audition invitations at Komische Oper Berlin and Dutch National Opera, plus a EUR 3,000 prize; second-place winners Berke Tükenmez receives a role in Istanbul State Opera and Ballet's season and EUR 1,000; Nazlıcan Karakaş receives a role in Istanbul State Opera and Ballet's season, a role at Komische Oper Berlin, and EUR 1,000; third-place winner Emre Parlar receives EUR 1,000. Winners will also be featured on the cover of Andante Classical Music Magazine. Finally, İlkim Derin Akdeniz won the Jury Special Award, a Dutch National Opera audition invitation.

PROMINENT NAMES JUDGED THE COMPETITION

The rigorous evaluation at this year's hybrid competition, which once again integrated digitalization and technology into art, was conducted by an international jury. Scoring was carried out by Stephan Frucht, Arts Program Director and Jury President for Siemens Arts Program; Burak Bilgili, 1998 Siemens Turkey Opera Competition winner and opera artist; Caner Akgün, Director of Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, opera artist and third-place finisher in the 2007 Siemens Turkey Opera Competition; Eva Pons from Komische Opera Berlin; Rosemary Joshua, Arts Director of Dutch National Opera Studio; and Serhan Bali, Editor-in-Chief of Andante Classical Music Magazine, classical music researcher and baritone opera artist.

SIEMENS TURKEY WILL CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE ARTS

The Siemens Turkey Opera Competition, organized for 26 years by Siemens Turkey—which contributes to society not only in technology and innovation but also through important projects in arts and culture—sheds light on Turkey's young talents and makes a significant contribution to the development of opera art in the country. The competition stands out as part of Siemens' mission to support cultural and artistic development under its corporate social responsibility projects. 

Özlem Özkaya, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Siemens Turkey, stated: "As a leading technology company, we believe that talent and creativity must be supported in all fields, and we are developing sustainable corporate social responsibility projects with this understanding. Through this valuable competition, which we have organized for 26 years, we are contributing to the development of our country's culture and arts while providing very important opportunities for the careers of our young artist candidates. Siemens Turkey will continue to support the arts."