Opera artist (B.1910, Istanbul – D. 15 August 2004, Istanbul). She is the first Turkish woman opera artist. Her mother is the painter Fatma Saime Hanım, her father is the poet Ziya Cenap Berksoy. She is the mother of theatre actress Zeliha Berksoy. She inherited her voice and skills in fine arts from her father and her mother taught her reading poetry with gestures, singing and painting. While in primary school she wrote stories and painted them. She studied in Namık İsmail Workshop of Fine Arts Academy, Theatre School of Darülbedayi (Istanbul Urban Theatre) and Istanbul Conservatory Nimet Şan class. She performed her first singing concert.
Semiha Berksoy who started to work in Darülbedayi in 1932 played the leading role in various plays. She played Semiha in Istanbul Sokakları shot by Muhsin Ertuğrul and which was the first loud Turkish movie. She became the primadonna in Turkish operettas staged in Darülbedayi (the actress of the leading role in opera). Özsoy who was also followed by Atatürk with enthusiasm attracted attention of the public with her role Ayşim in opera. Her voice was appreciated by Atatürk.
She was the leading artist in Ankara State Opera, high dramatic soprano, painter and theatre actress. In the same time she was the author of the story Mezardan Gelen Mektup (1935). She played the role of Fatma in Bu bir Rüyadır operetta written by Nâzım Hikmet, the role of Marlene in the operetta of Cemal Reşit and Ekrem Reşit Rey, the role of Dolores del Ranco in Saz Caz. Later she won the exam organized by Ankara State Conservatory and went to Germany with state scholarship. She studied there in Berlin State Higher Musical Academy, Department of Opera and graduated ranking the first place (1939). She was the first Turkish opera artist to be applauded by the public with her concerts in Berlin. There she played the leading role in Ariadne auf Naxos opera during the 75th birthday celebrations of R. Strauss (1939). Prof. Lohmann said about her; “Semina Berksoy is a soprano with a beautiful voice, a unique and extraordinary singer and has an uncommon acting skill. She also received thumbs up from other critics.
Semiha Berksoy who preferred to be an artist of Ankara State Opera instead of working in Berlin appeared in the stage in Richard Wagner’s operas played in 1940 in Ankara State Conservatory Concert Hall. She worked together with Carl Ebert during the establishment of Ankara State Opera. Upon the request of İnönü she played in Tosca opera in 1941. Semiha Berksoy became the assistant of Carl Ebert and played in Butterfly (1946). She appeared on the stage in operas such as Cavalleria Rusticana and Figaronun Düğünü etc.; and plays such as Köşebaşı, Elektra, Keşanlı Ali Destanı and Asiye Nasıl Kurtulur etc…
She was appointed soloist in State Opera opened in 1950. In 1951 she was assigned by experts as “First Class Dramatic Soprano”. In 1952 the artist was given the role of Leonore by Carl Ebert in Fidelio opera of Beethoven. In 1961 she played the leading role in Hensel ve Gretel opera which was also watched by President Cemal Gürsel. In 1963 her 30th artistic jubilee was celebrated by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. She played the role of Azucena in Verdi’s opera Il Trovatore. In 1966 she became the Chief Artist again. In 1972 she retired on her own will. Semiha Berksoy also played in countless dramatic plays in State Theatre. As the first woman opera actress to be assigned in public sector by TBMM in the 50th anniversary (1984) of that Turkish women are granted the right to elect and to be elected she received Atatürk Opera Award.
Semiha Berksoy continued her artistic career with painting and surrealistic stories. Her paintings were exhibited in many places including Berlin (1969), Paris (1972), Ankara (1974), İstanbul (1982) and New York (1995). Her book titled Sana Tütün ve Tesbih Yolluyorum (1985) prepared by F. Özbilgen contains her correspondence with Nâzım Hikmet and Fikret Mualla. Semiha Berksoy received in 1961 painting award in Language and History-Geography Faculty. When she died, she was inhumed in Çengelköy after a ceremony organized in Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (AKM).
