Siemens Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., persuading the importance of arts in the development of the society, aims to encourage youth and the society for arts through the opera contest organized every year. This year, many young artists from different cities applied to the 8th Siemens Opera Contest. After the pre-election on May 9th, the semi-finals and the finals of this contest took place on the 10th and 11th of May. The results of the contest were announced on the night of May 12th 2006 at the Istanbul German Consulate award ceremony.

At the 8th Opera Contest, while Mehmet Utku Kuzuluk got the first place, Pınar Tuğba came second, and Çiğdem Soyarslan came third. Demet Tuğcu was granted the honorable mention award. The artists who recieved their awards also gave a little concert for the guests.

The Selection Committee, composed of Dr.Yekta Kara, the dean of Istanbul Opera and Ballet, Mete Uğur, State-Artist, Prof Gerd Uecker, General Art Director of Dresden Opera House, Achim Thorwald, General Art Director of Karlsruhe Opera House and Özen İncecikin the name of Siemens, said the candidates of this year were very talented and the committee had a difficult time in selections.

The winner of the contest Mehmet Utku Kuzuluk received an award of one-year scholareship at the Karlsruhe Opera and a 4 months German language grant at Goethe Institute Inter Nationes İstanbul, Pınar Tuğba Ünker, who got the second place was granted a six weeks summer school at the Salzburg Mozarteum Music Academy and a 2 months German language grant at Goethe Instıtute Inter Nationes İstanbul,Çiğdem Soyarslan, who got the third place received 2000 Euros. Demet Tuğcu who got the honorable mention award was granted 1000 Euros.

Siemens Arts Award, which is granted by Siemens Sanayi and Ticaret A.Ş. since 1993, has become a tradition with art lovers showing great interest . Siemens Art Award, which was previously granted on art-design, photography, statue, short films is granted on "opera" since last seven years.

Mehmet Utku Kuzuluk was born in Antakya, in 1982. Starting in the year 2000, he studied with Dr. Pekin Kırgız at the University of Hacettepe for consecutive 3 years. He continues his studies with İhsan Ekber now and has been awarded the honorable mention in 2005, in the contest organized by Proffessional Voice Association.

Pınar Ünker is studying at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatoire (MSGSÜ), at the Opera Arts Department and she came 3rd in International Young Artists Singing Contest, in 2005. The same year she performed 'Dorabella' in Mozart's 'Cosi Fan Tutte', which was directed by Dr.Yekta Kara, accompanied by MSGSÜ State Orchestra. In 2005, she attended the 'lied' masterclass of Prof. Sebastian Vittuci in Vienna Music Academy. Ünker is studying her fourth year at the university and continuing her studies with Prof. Mesut İktu.

Çiğdem Soyarslan started by taking flute lessons in Avni Akyol Anadolu Fine Arts High School in 1998 and the same year she continued her education in MSGSÜ, Opera department. Soyarslan was awarded 2nd place in International Young Virtuoso Contest in 2004. In İş Sanat 'Shining Stars' contest she passed the selections and gave a concert. Also she played 'Fiordiligi' in Mozart's 'Cosi Fan Tutte', which was directed by Dr. Yekta Kara, accompanied by MSGSÜ State Orchestra. In September 2006 she will perform 'Konstanze' in Mozart's "The Abduction from the Seraglio", which will be staged at Vienna Schauspielhause. She continues her singing studies with Nursel Öncül.

Demet Tuğcu was graduated from Bursa Fine Arts High School Viola Department in 2000, and continues her studies in Istanbul University State Conservatoire, Opera Stage Art Department Singing section. She took place in G.Bizet's Carmen opera as Soprano choirist in 2006. She started her studies with Suat Arıkan in 2000 and continues with Lynn T. Çağlar since 2002.

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