The Epic of Gilgamesh on Opera Stage

The Epic of Gilgamesh, known as the earliest written literary work in human history, has been brought to life on stage through a previously unperformed three-act operatic masterpiece composed by Ahmed Adnan Saygun.

This epic drama, never before performed, had its world premiere on May 17, 2025, at the Atatürk Cultural Centre’s Türk Telekom Opera Stage, presented by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet for art enthusiasts.

A Milestone in Opera through Digital Staging

Staged within the scope of the 16th International Istanbul Opera and Ballet Festival, the Gilgamesh Opera was hailed as a “revolution in opera theatres” thanks to director Caner Akın’s innovative integration of digital screens and imagery. The production offered the audience a stunning visual feast, creatively employing cutting-edge technology to enhance the storytelling.

Timeless Themes of Humanity on Stage

Named after the legendary king of ancient Mesopotamia and inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE, this opera explores universal themes such as death, friendship, love, and enmity. Composed between 1964 and 1983, with a libretto by Saygun himself, the work delivers a timeless narrative rich in spiritual motifs of the quest for freedom, divine love, and creation.

An Intuitive Confluence of East and West

Gilgamesh masterfully fuses Eastern melodic structures with Western polyphony, serving as an intercultural bridge both musically and conceptually. Reflecting the composer’s philosophical vision, the piece takes the audience on an inner journey from ignorance to enlightenment.

Where Art Meets Technology

The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra is conducted by İbrahim Yazıcı. Set design is by Efter Tunç, costumes by Gizem Betil, lighting by Cem Yılmazer, video design by Aisha Hajiyeva, and choreography by Deniz Özaydın. The IDOB Choir is led by Volkan Akkoç.

More than merely preserving Saygun’s artistic legacy for new generations, the Gilgamesh Opera marks a pioneering milestone in opera history by embracing the possibilities of the digital age in classical music.

The production showcases a contemporary and innovative use of stage technologies. Digital curtains and high-resolution projections dynamically recreate the ancient atmosphere of Mesopotamian mythology with a multilayered visual language. Video design adds depth to the stage, while abstract and symbolic imagery vividly conveys both the mythological universe and the inner worlds of the characters. These technological advancements enrich traditional operatic storytelling, forging a deeper and more direct emotional connection with the audience.

History’s First Hero: The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh, the inspiration for the opera, is considered one of the oldest surviving literary texts from ancient Mesopotamia. As the second oldest religious text after the Pyramid Texts, this epic poem holds the distinction of being one of humanity’s earliest grand narratives inscribed in writing.

Its origins trace back to around 2100 BCE during the Third Dynasty of Ur under the Sumerians. Five separate Sumerian poems about King Bilgamesh of Uruk (the Sumerian name for Gilgamesh) were later compiled into a comprehensive epic in the Akkadian language. The earliest known version of this “Old Babylonian” text dates to the 18th century BCE. Recognizable by its opening phrase “Shūtur eli sharrī” (“Surpassing all other kings”), this version was preserved on clay tablets discovered in the royal library of Assyrian King Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, dating to the 7th century BCE.

A Journey Between Death and Wisdom

The first half of the epic narrates the tale of the powerful King Gilgamesh, who oppressed the people of Uruk, and the wild man Enkidu, created by the gods to challenge him. Enkidu is introduced to civilization through the temple priestess Shamhat and journeys to Uruk to meet Gilgamesh. Their initial contest of strength blossoms into friendship, and together they venture to the legendary Cedar Forest to defeat the terrifying guardian Humbaba.

However, after Gilgamesh rejects the love of the goddess Ishtar, the gods unleash their wrath. Although Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay the celestial Bull sent by Ishtar, this act results in Enkidu’s death. Grieving, Gilgamesh embarks on a quest to uncover the secret of immortality in the face of mortality’s inevitability.

The second half centers on Gilgamesh’s journey. Through encounters with the tavern keeper Siduri, the immortal Utnapishtim, and the story of the Great Flood, he confronts humanity’s mortal nature and the acceptance that comes with wisdom. The philosophical pinnacle of the epic is captured in the message: “When the gods created man, they allotted death to him, but life they retained in their own keeping.”

A Universal Cultural Heritage

The Epic of Gilgamesh is not only foundational to Mesopotamian mythology but is also recognized as a seminal text in the cultural heritage of all humanity. It predates and influences Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey as well as ancient Greek heroic narratives such as those about Heracles (Hercules). Over time, it has been translated into multiple languages, securing a permanent place in world literature. It continues to inspire countless artistic forms—from theatre and opera to novels and cinema.

From Mythological Narrative to Modern Stage

The Gilgamesh Opera brings to life not only Mesopotamia’s epic hero but also the most fundamental human emotions: fear of death, friendship, and the search for meaning. As one of the oldest written epics, the tale is reinterpreted on the contemporary opera stage, making the ancient narrative’s universal and timeless themes visible and resonant.

Its dramatic structure closely mirrors the original epic: the evolving relationship between two heroes marked by conflict and friendship, an inner transformation through the confrontation with death, and the hero’s quest culminating in wisdom. The music’s dramatic language accompanies Gilgamesh’s spiritual journey while inviting the audience to reflect on the meaning of being human.

This opera tells a hero’s story that transcends millennia to communicate the enduring human experience.