Bolshoi hosts first Turkish opera artist on its stage

One of the most important tenors of Turkey, Murat Karahan, is performing at the Bolshoi Theater, as the second Turkish artist ever to grace the famed Russian stage and the first opera artist to do so. Meric Sumen danced the role of Giselle at the Bolshoi 40 years ago, but Karahan is the debut Turkish opera singer to perform there, with his leading role in the acclaimed Latonia International Opera play "Lucia di Lammermoor."  Karahan said he always dreamt of performing at the legendary Russian theater, noting that it was exciting to receive interest from Russian audiences. "I did not know that I am the second Turkish person [to be] on the Bolshoi stage. This is an honor for me. Russian representatives told me this," he said. Aydin Sezgin, the Turkish ambassador to Moscow, was among the initial Bolshoi audiences, and said it was an honor to see a Turkish artist on the stage receiving so much interest from Russians. "The success of Turkish artists abroad is increasing. Murat is my cousin and this is another important honor for me. I am also very happy on behalf of my country." Turkish tenor Murat Karahan graduated from Bilkent University's Department of Music and Performing Arts in 2003. That year, he gained admission to the Ankara State Opera and Ballet and soon began pursuing his master's degree at Bilkent University's Institution of Music and Performing Arts. In 2005, he traveled to Rome at the invitation of Italian Conductor Marco Berdondini, who served as guest conductor of the Ankara Opera. He successfully completed his Master's degree in 2005, upon which he was admitted into the doctorate program. That year, he became a soloist for the Ankara State Opera and Ballet. His repertoire includes Rodolfo (La Boheme), Alfredo (La Traviata) and many more. The second show of Karahan took place at Bolshoi yesterday.