Sureyya Opera House
Sureyya Opera House
4.5
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- Kadıköy • 8 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
40 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
14
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Jeffrey F
Ilkeston, UK1,408 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Whilst it could not claim to be one of the great opera houses in the world, the 570 seat Sureyya provides a great experience for anyone visiting Istanbul. We were staying at Kadikoy, but even from the European side it’s a very easy crossing and a 10 minute walk to the building from the quayside. Just check the performance finish times and ensure there will still be convenient ferries for your return journey. It would be a long & expensive journey by taxi & the Metro (which now runs underneath the Bosphorus) is not very convenient. We booked ahead, by internet, and were glad we did – the place was full. I doubt you could ever pick up a ticket on the night, but you can only purchase them a month before the performance. We paid just 25tl (£7) each for the second best seats in the house!
As well as many from the usual opera & ballet repertoire, they are currently performing a number of Turkish works. We saw the ‘Ears of Midas’ by Tuzun, a 20th century Turk, which combined a large cast opera with some ballet – having seen the trailer on-line and downloaded the English translation of the synopsis. It was a fun comic opera, delivered to quite a high standard. Management is by the State Opera & Ballet Directorate, which run performances in 7 major cities throughout Turkey, though this is the only one in Istanbul at present. I understand they rotate the ‘shows’ between the locations to reduce costs. Even with government subsidies, I guess this is the only way such large cast productions with a reasonably sized orchestra, could be provided.
The audience were clearly middle-class liberal locals: unusually for Istanbul there were no hijabs in sight. Most, in fact, were very casually dressed. A number around us appeared related to members of the cast and gave the performance a very enthusiastic reception.
The building itself dates from 1924 & is beautifully decorated inside in Art Deco style. The exterior is also impressive. The seating & legroom is far superior to many of the major opera houses. The acoustics are good. If you are an opera or ballet fan, it would be madness to visit Istanbul and not attend a performance.
As well as many from the usual opera & ballet repertoire, they are currently performing a number of Turkish works. We saw the ‘Ears of Midas’ by Tuzun, a 20th century Turk, which combined a large cast opera with some ballet – having seen the trailer on-line and downloaded the English translation of the synopsis. It was a fun comic opera, delivered to quite a high standard. Management is by the State Opera & Ballet Directorate, which run performances in 7 major cities throughout Turkey, though this is the only one in Istanbul at present. I understand they rotate the ‘shows’ between the locations to reduce costs. Even with government subsidies, I guess this is the only way such large cast productions with a reasonably sized orchestra, could be provided.
The audience were clearly middle-class liberal locals: unusually for Istanbul there were no hijabs in sight. Most, in fact, were very casually dressed. A number around us appeared related to members of the cast and gave the performance a very enthusiastic reception.
The building itself dates from 1924 & is beautifully decorated inside in Art Deco style. The exterior is also impressive. The seating & legroom is far superior to many of the major opera houses. The acoustics are good. If you are an opera or ballet fan, it would be madness to visit Istanbul and not attend a performance.
Written October 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Popeye452
Vancouver28 contributions
Apr 2012 • Friends
You have to be quick but if you can get tickets, this is an exquisite experience. I usually get a seat in one of the boxes. This is what secular Istanbul was like before the big theocratization that has been taking place.
This is a perfectly refurbished 19th century opera house with great accoustics. Take your camera and get lots of shots of the interior.
This is a perfectly refurbished 19th century opera house with great accoustics. Take your camera and get lots of shots of the interior.
Written February 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
junior1907
Istanbul, Türkiye188,688 contributions
We must say many thanks to Kadıköy Municipality for having this very old and historical building renovated and kept in orijinal shape as an Opera House for our community.Highly recommended to watch an event here at this beautiful opera house as you are going to feel the true ambiance of this venue.
Written May 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sensibelle
Istanbul13 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
I've been to Sureyya Opera House for the first time to see Faust opera by Istanbul State Opera and Ballet. This small building is so warm and impressive. Istanbul doesn't have much opera houses. So a must see.
Written February 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Per W
Berlin, Germany158 contributions
Feb 2014 • Solo
It's a nice neo-classical building in Kadiköy with a more or less art deco interieur. But the ballet was fantastic modern.
Written February 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
junior1907
Istanbul, Türkiye188,688 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
After serving as a cinema for many years,this venue is now in service for some opera and concerts in Kadıköy area.Due to its very unique and nice construction and inner decoration,it is strongly recommended to take a ticket for any activity available at this house and see the performance with fantastic acustic.İt is oe of the most important secret gems in İstanbul and it is very much worth to see it.
Written October 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica C
Bucharest, Romania103 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Last night I had the honour to attend a performance (The Rake's Progress) at the Opera House in Istanbul.I had come a little skeptical for the whole experience, because opera is something totally different from Turkey's culture. The first thing that impressed me was the beautiful building - though small, it has a wonderful architecture and it displays superbe paintings on the ceiling inside the performance hall.The show was very good, the voices where beautiful and the costumes were an explosion of colours and textures.I didn't like the fact that I couldn't find the opera brochure in English, but then I have already become accustomed to the fact that English, here, is not something they master or care about, too much.Overall though, i can wholeheartedly admit that I had a fabulous night at the Opera.
Written October 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingSureyya Opera House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sureyya Opera House
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Sureyya Opera House:
- Full Coverage Istanbul Private City Tour (From $152.45)
- Taste of Two Continents: Istanbul Food Tour (From $125.00)
- PRIVATE Istanbul Food Tour - 10 Tastings including Raki & Padi (From $110.77)
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour (From $5.00)
- Istanbul Street Walks in Kadıköy (From $45.00)
- Hotels near Sureyya Opera House:
- (0.02 mi) Flat With Excellent Location in Kadikoy, Istanbul
- (0.03 mi) Cozy apartment in the center of Kadikoy
- (0.03 mi) Charming Flat w Balcony 5 min to Moda Coast
- (0.03 mi) Charming Flat w Balcony 5 min to Moda Coast
- (0.15 mi) Hostel Bahane
- Restaurants near Sureyya Opera House:
- (0.01 mi) Happy Moon's cafe
- (0.02 mi) Zopa
- (0.02 mi) Pronto Pizza
- (0.02 mi) Tatdoy's Fast Food
- (0.02 mi) Etiler Marmaris Bufe
Sureyya Opera House Information
Excellent Reviews | 21 |
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Very Good Reviews | 14 |
Sureyya Opera House Photos | 110 |