Say I am You (2012), a world premiere co-production between IKSV and Rotterdam Operadagen presented by the Istanbul Music Festival, is a contemporary opera by Michael Ellison. It dramatically traces the story of the transformation of Jelaluddin Rumi (Mevlâna) from ordinary scholar to ecstatic mystic at the hands of wandering dervish Shams-i Tabriz.

The music of Michael Ellison defies categorisation, seamlessly integrating contemporary and classical sensibilities with traditional influences into a unique and personal idiom. Described as “beautifully crafted, robust and absorbing” by American Record Guide, Ellison’s is a music of colour and contrast, evocative atmosphere and emotional breadth.

Cast:
- Arnout Lems (Mevlana)
- Gunnar Barndt-Sigurdsson (Shams)
- Ekaterina Levental (Melike)
- Tiemo Wang (Veled)
- Maciej Straburzynski (Allaudin)
- Angela Postweiler / Els Mondelaers / Fanny Alofs (Students/Chorus)