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ISTANBUL - The 34th International Istanbul Music Festival will be held between June 8th and 24th, Istanbul Foundation for Culture & Arts (IKSV) Chairman Sakir Eczacibasi said on Wednesday.
Holding a press conference in Istanbul, Eczacibasi indicated that the theme of this year's festival was ''Mozart: On the 250th Anniversary of his Birth''.
The festival will begin with the concert to be given by Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra in Hagia Eirene Museum on June 8th. The orchestra will be conducted by Joseph Wolfe.
On June 22nd and 24th, recognized as undeniably the most important piece Mozart has composed on Turkish music, the opera of ''The Abduction from the Seraglio'' will meet the audience at the Topkapi Palace. The extraordinary story of Belmonte coming to Istanbul in search of his lover Constanze will come alive with the modern interpretation of Yekta Kara in Istanbul, the meeting point for the East and the West.
Meanwhile, Grammy award winner Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli will take the stage in Hagia Eirene Museum on July 18th, 20th and 22nd within the framework of concerts considered as a part of the festival. Winning the hearts of critics with her outstanding musical achievements and of music lovers with her charming manners, the artist will meet music lovers in two different evenings. An important Baroque ensemble, Freiburg Baroque Orchestra will be accompanying the artist both evenings.
On July 4th, ''In the Spirit of Mozart'' concert will be given. One of the most important jazz musicians alive today, Chick Corea will be joined by his chamber orchestra as a guest of this year's festival - both to play Mozart and dedicate his music to the composer. This is the first of the ''special projects'' adding color to an already colorful festival program and offers classical music and jazz lovers alike a rare chance to enjoy Chick Corea's magnetic stage presence and hallmark live performance.
