“Extraordinary, passionate and moving”: Murat Karahan is one of Turkey’s most prominent tenors, celebrated for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. A graduate of Bilkent University with a doctorate in opera, Karahan has performed leading roles at many of the world’s most prestigious opera houses and festivals, including the Arena di Verona, Wiener Staatsoper, Berlin Deutsche Oper, Teatro Real Madrid, Finnish National Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. His international repertoire spans iconic roles in Il Trovatore, Manon Lescaut, Tosca, Turandot, Aida, La Traviata, Carmen, Madama Butterfly, Siberia, and Cavalleria Rusticana. He has performed under world-renowned conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Daniel Oren, and Plácido Domingo, and shared the stage with stars like Anna Netrebko, Angela Gheorghiu, Sonya Yoncheva, and Kristine Opolais. Notably, he made history at the Arena di Verona Opera Festival by singing leading roles in four productions within a single season—a festival first (Calaf, Radames, Don José and Manrico),. He has also been featured at major cultural events worldwide, from UNESCO concerts in Paris to Puccini’s 100th Anniversary Gala in Palermo, and has appeared on RAI 3’s “Viva Puccini” TV special in 2025. From 2018 to 2023, he served as General Director and Artistic Director of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, during which he initiated and led major productions such as Troy, Göbeklitepe, and Rebirth. In recognition of his contributions to music and cultural diplomacy, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2021. Murat Karahan continues to be a powerful ambassador for Turkish opera on the global stage, performing with leading orchestras and companies while nurturing the next generation of operatic talent.