Latest news with #SejongCenterforthePerformingArts
Korea Herald
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Don't rain on my opera: Seoul to stage ‘The Magic Flute' under the stars
Third open-air production aims to broaden opera's appeal What if it rains during an open-air opera performance? That's the question for the organizers of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera's outdoor production of Mozart's "Die Zauberflote" (The Magic Flute), scheduled for June 1 and 2 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. With fingers crossed -- and some cautious optimism drawn from weather data -- they're hoping the skies will stay clear, not just for comfort, but because they have a grand plan for transforming the city center into an open-air opera stage, part of a broader effort to make opera more accessible to the public. For the first time, the main staircase of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will be turned into a stage, making the performance easily visible from anywhere in the square. A five-meter-high LED screen will also be installed, allowing people across the square to enjoy the performance. Rain would be a major letdown for the roughly 6,000 people expected to attend over the two-day run, including the lucky 1,980 who secured free tickets when they became available online on May 9. All the tickets were gone in under a minute. According to the organizers, another 4,000 people are expected to gather around the stage without tickets, just as they did last year. Rain disrupted the first edition of the open-air opera in 2023, forcing performers to sing to a pre-recorded orchestra track. Last year, however, the company's gamble paid off: 'Cavalleria Rusticana' went ahead as planned, thanks to what artistic director Park Hye-jin called a strategic choice based on years of weather data. This year, the decision was trickier. 'Gwanghwamun Square has become a popular venue, and our scheduling window was limited,' Park said. 'Among the dates offered, we chose the one with the lowest historical chance of rain.' In the event of more than 5 millimeters of rain, the performances will be canceled, according to the organizers. Should that happen, another group likely to be disappointed is the citizen chorus -- a 137-member ensemble drawn from four local choirs who will take the stage with Hankyung arte Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Kim Kwang-hyun. Most of the citizen ensemble have little to no experience performing in a professional opera production, making the opportunity especially meaningful. The size of the citizen ensemble has grown significantly -- from 79 members in 2023 to 123 last year -- in response to overwhelming public interest and the organizers' desire to broaden community participation. 'I never imagined myself even watching an opera production, let alone singing in one,' said Kim Sok-woo, who is participating in the production for a second year as a member of the citizen ensemble. 'Last year, I brought my mother and mother-in-law to the performance. It was their first opera in the nearly 80 years of their lives. They loved it and asked me to invite them again this year.' The citizen ensemble will be joined by the Winner Opera Chorus, a professional vocal group. Their joint appearance, said Park, will highlight the transformative power of choral music. 'There's a unique power in choral singing -- many people coming together on stage, not just professional vocalists but everyday citizens as well," Park said. Directed by Jang Jae-ho, the production will feature tenors Kim Hyo-jong and Konstantin Lee as Tamino, and sopranos Kim Soon-young and Yang Gui-bee as Pamina. The role of the Queen of the Night, who sings the iconic aria 'Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,' will be shared by Lee Ha-na and Celine Mun. Now in its third year, the open-air opera series is presented by the Seoul Metropolitan Opera, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Both performances will start at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats not claimed by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the performance will be released to those waiting onsite.
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Blockbusters with a baton: film concerts bring screen legends to the stage
'Harry Potter,' 'Attack on Titan' and Disney soundtracks to be performed in Seoul The "Harry Potter" Film Concert series continues its spellbinding journey, returning to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul with two back-to-back installments. From May 16 to 18, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert" takes center stage, followed by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 in Concert" from Oct. 24 to 26. These performances invite audiences to an elevated experience of the beloved film series, with a live orchestra performing the movie's full original score. Conductor Young Shih-heung, who has conducted the series in Korea since its debut in 2019, returns with the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra. The sixth installment's music by Nicholas Hooper, nominated for a Grammy, and the seventh's score by Academy Award-winner Alexandre Desplat, known for "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "The Shape of Water," will be performed in their entirety. Tickets are available through the Sejong Center's website and major ticketing platforms. Prices range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won ($22-108). A limited number of premium 'suite' seats, offering enhanced viewing experiences, are available exclusively via the Sejong Center. 'Disney in Concert': A family affair On Saturday and Sunday, "Disney in Concert: Beyond the Magic" will take place at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. Designed for family audiences, the concert blends heartwarming visuals from Disney and Pixar's most iconic films with live vocal performances by some of Korea's top musical theater artists and the Ditto Orchestra led by conductor Lee Byung-uk. The program features timeless classics such as "The Little Mermaid," "The Lion King," "Aladdin" and "Beauty and the Beast," as well as fan-favorite hits from "Coco," "Moana," "Frozen" and more. Notably, songs from "Moana 2," a 2024 release that drew over 3.6 million viewers in Korea, will be performed live for the first time. The cast includes musical actress Lee Areum-sol, praised for her pitch-perfect dubbing of the character Matangi in "Moana 2," alongside Song Eun-hye of "Phantom of the Opera," rising star Kim Kyung-rok and charismatic performer Lee Jong-suk. Tickets for "Disney in Concert" at Sejong Center range from 44,000 won to 110,000 won, and are available through the Sejong Arts Center website and affiliated ticketing sites. The same concert will also take place at the Geoje Arts Center in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, on May 15. Ticket prices are between 60,000 won and 80,000 won. 'Attack on Titan': Anime epic goes symphonic For fans of darker, high-intensity narratives, "Attack on Titan: Beyond the Walls World Tour" heads to Korea May 31 and June 1 for four concerts. Featuring original music from the anime, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto, the performance fuses rock energy with full symphonic force. Signature tracks such as "at'aek ON taitn," "counter・attack-mankind," and "Footsteps of Doom" will be performed live, accompanied by synchronized scenes from the anime series. The Korean leg of the world tour, which kicked off April in Los Angeles and visits 25 cities worldwide through November, will take place at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul. Tickets for "Attack on Titan: Beyond the Walls" are available through Interpark and range from 66,000 won to 132,000 won. gypark@
Korea Herald
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Explore emotional duality of high-profile choreographer at Asia premiere of double bill
Inger sees bright future for Korean contemporary dance scene Acclaimed Swedish dancer-turned-choreographer Johan Inger says he is impressed with Korea's growing commitment to contemporary dance and sees a bright future for the newly established Seoul Metropolitan Ballet. The 57-year-old artist is in Seoul for the Asia premiere of his double bill, 'Walking Mad' and 'Bliss,' set to run Friday through May 18 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Following Ohad Naharin's 'Decadance' in March, Inger is the latest high-profile figure in the company's bold lineup for this year. 'In Korea, you're opening new dance companies, and in the West, people are closing (them). I think it's a great initiative and should be really highlighted,' said Inger during a press conference Wednesday in Seoul. Inger, who began his career with the Royal Swedish Ballet before joining the Netherlands Dance Theater under Jiri Kylian, made his choreographic debut with NDT 2 in 1995. He went on to win the prestigious Benois de la Danse award for choreography in 2016. Inger said the two works, created 25 and 10 years ago respectively, are very different. 'I think it's an exciting evening because they show two sides of me as a choreographer,' he said. The evening begins with "Walking Mad," a more theatrical and emotionally charged piece set to Ravel's Bolero. Inger described it as 'a journey into the unknown,' full of humor, drama and human emotion. 'To me, it is a journey of a man going through a world, or a dream, or a state of mind and encountering different personalities but (still) searching. It's a little bit like Orpheus and Eurydice, being pulled back into another place and keep on searching.' The second piece, 'Bliss,' set to Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert, reflects a more stripped-down, introspective side of Inger's choreography. 'I wanted to create something very pure and simple -- just present in the moment,' he said. 'It also represents a time for me, something carefree. I wanted to capture that spirit of the time, in the costumes, in the playfulness and in the improvisation.' For Inger, music is at the heart of every work: He sees it as a partner with which he engages in conversation. He encouraged audiences, especially those unfamiliar with contemporary dance, to approach it as they would music. 'I think dance is very much like music. You hear a piece and have one interpretation of what it means to you, but the person next to you may have a completely different one,' he said. 'So if I have done my work right as a choreographer, it will tap not into the logical parts of your brain, but into the emotional parts.' What continues to drive his work, Inger said, are human beings and human relationships. 'Our strengths, our weaknesses, our ugliness, our beauty -- all the contradictions that make us who we are. That inspires me. I think that's the fuel that keeps me going, that keeps me exploring stories,' he said. hwangdh@
CNA
05-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
From food to culture: South Korea hosts activities to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with Singapore
SEOUL: As Singapore and South Korea mark 50 years of diplomatic ties this year, the two countries are looking to upgrade their free trade agreement and widen cooperation in areas such as education, defence and cybersecurity. To celebrate the occasion, a slew of activities – from food to the arts – are also being lined up to bring a slice of Singapore to Seoul. Last month, for instance, South Koreans were treated to a performance by Singapore contemporary dance group T.H.E Dance Company at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. The event was put together to deepen cultural understanding between both sides, which established diplomatic ties in August 1975. UPGRADING RELATIONS Singapore's Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Eric Teo said the two countries have treaded a similar path without any natural resources, relying only on their people to attain success. 'We not only rank among each other's top 10 trading and investment partners, we also collaborate closely in new and emerging areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence and startups, energy, sustainability and many other areas,' he added. 'We are looking forward to upgrading our relations to a strategic partnership this year, during the 50th anniversary." South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also praised the close bilateral ties, saying he plans to travel to Singapore this year. In February, his Singaporean counterpart, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, visited Seoul and met with Mr Woo. Both sides exchanged views about the common challenges on global developments and ways to boost inter-parliamentary ties. "High-level exchanges are extremely important. In that sense, following the speaker's visit to Korea, my visit to Singapore and the participation of our leaders in APEC, I believe we can achieve not only progress in a single area, but development across many fields,' said Mr Woo, referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be hosted in South Korea this year. Former South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said he believes the relations between Singapore and South Korea will be further strengthened. "Singapore is a gateway for the Korean government as well as the Korean business circle to Southeast Asian countries,' he added. 'ASEAN is very important for Korea. So I think it's inevitable that Korea and Singapore have to cooperate with each other to strengthen our participation in Southeast Asian countries." LOVE FOR FOOD Also last month, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul hosted a food carnival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. Ambassadors and current and former lawmakers attended the event to sample 50 Singaporean dishes including chilli crab, laksa and kaya toast. Ambassador Teo said Singaporeans and Koreans share a love for food, 'with cuisine woven into the fabric of our daily life'. More Singaporeans have also set up food and beverage businesses in South Korea. Singaporean Joel Lim started his restaurant in the South Korean capital about five years ago, naming it One Degree North, after Singapore's geographic coordinates. Business was tough in the early days, when Mr Lim first moved there in 2019 after marrying a South Korean. One Degree North started out as a delivery-only Asian roast joint during the COVID-19 pandemic. These days, the eatery fills up fast at peak hours with patrons hungry for a taste of Singapore's hawker food like chicken rice. The restaurant owner told CNA he takes pride in having introduced Singaporean cuisine to South Koreans. 'Especially during COVID when we started, I felt like we kind of bridged the gap and allowed Koreans to have a little mini-vacation (by) coming here to try the food,' he added.
Korea Herald
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Veteran singer Lee Mi-ja to hold last major concert
83-year-old singer to pay tribute to 'traditional Korean pop' in two-day concert Veteran singer Lee Mi-ja, a defining figure in 1960s South Korean pop music, is set to hold a special concert celebrating her musical journey. At a press conference Wednesday at Stanford Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Lee, 83, announced her final concert "Lee Mi-ja Traditional Song Tribute Concert 'Maek.'' The concert will take place April 26-27 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. "I've been singing for 66 years, and these are the happiest days of my life. I'm honored to carry on the legacy of traditional Korean songs with my beloved younger artists," Lee said. Since her 1959 debut, Lee has released numerous hit songs, including 'Pure Nineteen' and 'Camellia Lady.' In 2023, she became the first pop singer in Korea to receive the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the country's highest honor given to artists. Although she is often associated with trot music, Lee has consistently referred to herself as a "traditional Korean pop song" singer, emphasizing the importance of preserving this genre. "Korea has endured countless hardships including Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War and the struggles of rebuilding. 'Traditional Korean pop songs' are the genre that comforted people and captured the essence of our history through all the turmoil," Lee said. "Just when I was about to give up on continuing the legacy of traditional Korean pop music and thought I could no longer stand on stage, this concert was planned. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to pass down the traditional pop songs I have cherished to the next generation," said Lee. The upcoming concert will reflect on Lee's long music career and feature performances with artists like Joo Hyun-mi and Jo Hang-jo. Lee revealed that this concert will be her final stage performance, saying, 'I don't like the word 'retirement,' but this will be my last major concert.' However, she assured that she would continue supporting traditional Korean pop music whenever possible. Notably, the concert will also feature winners from popular trot competition shows, including the winner of the ongoing "Mr. Trot 3" and "Miss Trot 3" champion Jung Seo-joo. Tickets for Lee's tribute concert are available via Ticketlink and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts website.
