ANKARA - The 11th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will host worldwide famous La Scala Ballet Society of Italy.
State Opera and Ballet Director General Remzi Buharali told the A.A on Saturday that Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival had become a member of the European Festivals Union.
''Our application to the European Festivals Union was accepted before the 11th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival. The chairman of the Union attended the 10th festival and watched the opera of 'La Traviata'. Now, we will host the most famous ballet societies of the world in the 11th festival,'' he added.
La Scala Ballet Society of Italy, Russia's Kirov Ballet Society and Munich State Ballet of Germany are among guests of 2004's festival.
Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu invited worldwide famous La Scala Ballet Society of Italy to the 11th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival after his meeting with Italian Ambassador to Turkey Vittorio Surdo.
La Scala will perform ''A Mid Summer Nights Dream'' of Shakespeare on July 16 and 17, 2004.
The festival will host famous Kirov Ballet Society of Russia. The society will stage ''the Best of Kirov'' and ''Swan Lake'' of Tchaikovsky on July 1 and 3.
The 11th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival will start on June 13 with a concert of Presidential Symphony Orchestra.
Presidential Symphony Orchestra will stage ''Carmina Burana'' of Carl Orff.
The State Opera and Ballet will perform ''Aida'' of Verdi on June 17.
Mersin State Opera and Ballet will display ''Rigoletto'' of Verdi on July 6.
Istanbul State Opera and Ballet will participate in the festival with Puccini's ''Madam Butterfly'' on July 6.
The festival will end on July 16 with La Scala Ballet Society's ''A Mid Summer Nights Dream''.
(UK) 13.12.2003