Süreyya Opera House
1927 Kadıköy theatre restored as an opera house, the Asian-side home of Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.
Süreyya Opera House was built in 1927 on Bahariye Caddesi for Süreyya İlmen, who wanted an opera house for the Asian side of Istanbul. The architect Kegham Kavafyan modelled the exterior and foyer on European examples, with reliefs, marble and gilded plasterwork, but the stage machinery needed for opera was never installed and the building spent most of the twentieth century as a cinema. It became one of the best-known picture houses in Kadıköy before falling out of use.
Kadıköy Municipality restored the building and reopened it in December 2007, this time with a full stage, orchestra pit and about 570 seats. It now serves as the main Anatolian-side venue for Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, which stages opera, ballet and children's productions there several days a week, alongside chamber concerts, recitals and festival events. The opera house sits at the head of the Bahariye pedestrian street, a few minutes from Kadıköy's ferry piers and the metro.
Highlights
- 1927 auditorium restored in 2007 with about 570 seats
- Anatolian-side stage of Istanbul State Opera and Ballet
- Art deco foyer with reliefs, marble and gilded plasterwork
- Opera, ballet, chamber concerts and children's productions in season
