The Olten Philharmonic Orchestra held its first concert of the season on Wednesday, October 16, at the İzmir Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center, conducted by renowned maestro Jurjen Hempel. The mesmerizing performance by world-famous pianist Olga Scheps offered İzmir art enthusiasts an unforgettable musical experience.

The Olten Philharmonic Orchestra’s opening concert for the 2024-2025 season was conducted by Dutch maestro Jurjen Hempel, who joined the Olten Art family as the Music Director this year. The program featured works by Sibelius, Beethoven, and Stravinsky, generating excitement among classical music lovers. Renowned pianist Olga Scheps, often referred to as the poet of the piano, performed Beethoven’s 2nd Piano Concerto. After receiving prolonged standing ovations, Scheps captivated the audience by enthusiastically playing a section from Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata as an encore.

In her opening speech for the season, Fatma Olten, Chairperson of the Olten Art Foundation, expressed gratitude to the audience that has supported them for ten years and thanked the orchestra’s benefactors as well. She extended her heartfelt thanks to individuals and organizations that donated to the “suspended ticket” program, as well as to the academic volunteers from Olten Sanat who connected students invited to the concert hall with the foundation. Olten emphasized that nearly three hundred university students were welcomed at the opening concert, which was held in a full hall.

The second concert of the Olten Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2024-2025 season will be a special presentation designed for the Atatürk Commemoration Week. It will feature the fusion of classical music and ballet titled “Kemal ile Latife: A Dance Narrative,” which will be staged for the first time on November 20 at the İzmir Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center. The concert will be conducted by Tolga Taviş. The performance will be accompanied by the İzmir State Opera and Ballet artists, with choreography by Burcu Sürmeli Borovalı, and the narration will be provided by Hakan Gerçek.

Art enthusiasts wishing to attend this special concert or donate for suspended tickets can visit https://bilet.oltensanat.com.