Contemporary Interpretation of the Epic of Gilgamesh: Gilgamesh Operas by Nevid Kodallı and Ahmed Adnan Saygun
Within the realm of opera literature, two notable works draw inspiration from the Epic of Gilgamesh: "Gilgamesh," composed by Nevit Kodallı with a libretto by Orhan Asena, and another piece with the same title composed by Ahmed Adnan Saygun, who also wrote the libretto. While the overarchi...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Istanbul University Press
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Konservatoryum |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/62A8B5A3CEAC4B9C92E21D399D50EC47 |
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| Summary: | Within the realm of opera literature, two notable works draw inspiration from the Epic of Gilgamesh: "Gilgamesh," composed by Nevit Kodallı with a libretto by Orhan Asena, and another piece with the same title composed by Ahmed Adnan Saygun, who also wrote the libretto. While the overarching theme of Gilgamesh’s quest revolves around immortality, Kodallı approaches it as a means, emphasizing the protagonist’s profound desire for freedom. Gilgamesh’s journey, portrayed by Kodallı, unfolds as a transformation into a wise man with an unending passion for freedom. In Saygun’s rendition, the narrative of maturity is woven through the lens of Sufism. Death in this context is not an endpoint but a commencement, adding depth to the story. This paper delves into how composers and librettists interpret and reshape the epic, exploring the divergence and derivation from the original material. The analysis considers various aspects, including storyline, characters, time, place, and theme, shedding light on the intertextual affiliations that aid in understanding these new compositions. The paper emphasizes the evolution of themes and changes in forms as the central focus. As these shifts are examined, the evaluation encompasses subcategories such as storyline, characters, time, place, and theme. The exploration of intertextual connections draws parallels between dramaturgical analyses of opera pieces, offering valuable insights for staging opera productions. |
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| ISSN: | 2618-5695 |