 In 1959, the İstanbul City Opera was established by the private effort of Aydın Gün, and it was nationalized in 1970 as the İstanbul State Opera and Ballet.This was followed by the establishment of İzmir State Opera and Ballet in 1983, Mersin State Opera and Ballet in 1992, and Antalya State Opera and Ballet in 1999.The State Opera and Ballet directorate organizes, since 1994, the annual opera and ballet festival in the ancient theatre of Aspendos, near Antalya, with international participation of opera and ballet companies.