At the World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM), hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the famous and beloved poem of Orhan Veli Kanık, “I Am Listening to Istanbul,” was performed for the first time in the world by the Georgia State University Chorus, accompanied by famous names such as Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Michael Bublé, with a composition by Özkan Manav.

The World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM), the world’s largest choral event organized by the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) every three years, has been ongoing since April 25, mainly at the Atatürk Cultural Center and other historical venues in Beyoğlu, with all its enthusiasm, and continues to bring firsts to music lovers.

As part of the symposium’s theme “Changing Horizons” inspired by Istanbul, one of the six commissioned works to be premiered for the first time was Özkan Manav’s composition of Orhan Veli Kanık’s famous and beloved poem “I Am Listening to Istanbul,” which was performed by the Georgia State University Chorus under the direction of conductor Deanna Joseph at the AKM Turk Telekom Opera Hall. In the piece, voices intertwined with words to bring Istanbul’s spirit to the stage. Works composed for the symposium by Venezuelan, Singaporean, American, German, and Malaysian composers, as well as Turkish composers, continue to have their world premieres at the gala concerts at AKM.

Until April 30, 44 concerts will be held in 11 different venues.

The symposium, which brought together speakers from 30 different countries representing five continents, 55 choirs, and 2500 choristers in Istanbul, continues its events in historical venues of Beyoğlu such as the Atatürk Cultural Center, Akbank Sanat, Grand Pera Emek Stage, Borusan Music House, Istanbul Atlas 1948 Cinema, St. Anthony Church, Santa Maria Draperis Church, Garibaldi Stage, and Taksim Mosque Cultural Center. Students can benefit from a 50% discount throughout the symposium.

For detailed information, please visit https://akmistanbul.gov.tr/. Tickets can be obtained at biletinial.com.