Presidential Symphony Orchestra’s New Building Re-launches as “Turkey’s Cultural Campus”
With a history spanning nearly two centuries, one of the world’s oldest orchestras – the Turkish Presidential Orchestra (CSO) – is set to inaugurate its new building with a three-day concert held on 3rd, 4th and 5th of December. The new CSO building will breathe new life into Turkey’s culture and arts scene.
Throughout Turkey’s dazzling history, the urban beauty, dynamic atmosphere and unique location bridging two continents, have made their mark with an emphasis on culture and arts.
The prestigious Presidential Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1826 and has been joined by some of the world’s most famous and talented musicians and conductors. Relaunching their new home to the world on December 3rd, and honoured by the attendance of the President of the Turkish Republic Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the orchestra will delight an exclsuive audience with a glorious opening ceremony.
The event has been directed by Cemi’i Can Deliorman and will feature world-renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu [pictured], one of the world’s most successful piano duos Güher and Süher Pekinel, and lastly, the world-renowned piano virtuoso İdil Biret.
Designed by architects, Semra and Özcan Uygur, the new building constitutes an indoor area of 62,547 square meters. In addition to the Turkish Presidential Orchestra, it will host the Ankara State Polyphonic Choir, Ankara Turkic World Music Ensemble, Ankara State Turkish Folk Music Choir, Ankara State Classical Turkish Music Choir and State Folk Dances Ensemble. The new building houses a 2023-seat grand concert hall, a 500-seat small concert hall, a 10,000 capacity open-air concert area and the CSO Museum.
With ambitions of becoming not just Turkey’s but one of the world’s foremost concert halls, the CSO Building is the first structure in Turkey specifically designed for a symphonic orchestra. One of the few global metropolitan music centers, it will also be a living artistic hub presenting the richest culture and arts contents on an international scale.
During the opening ceremony, all COVID-19 measures (especially social distancing rules) will be implemented, and numerous Turkish and international guests will attended, including artists and journalists, as well as special guests of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The culture and arts center will house the “Great Hall”, hosting the Turkish Presidential Orchestra, the “Blue Hall” and the historical “CSO Hall”, and will welcome art lovers from around the world throughout the year with a plethora of important works ranging from classical to traditional music, world music and popular music.
Culture and Arts in Turkey During the Pandemic
During the global pandemic, Turkey has implemented effective measures against the Coronavirus, including at culture and arts events. In this scope, culture and arts institutions such as cinemas, theaters and publishing houses, as well as book, magazine, periodic publication, newspaper, and events and organization businesses have been made more secure in the face of pandemic conditions.