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Korea Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
SAC Int'l Music Festival brings global and emerging talent to Seoul for six days
From Aug. 5 to 10, the Seoul Arts Center will host the fifth edition of its International Music Festival -- its most expansive yet. The 2025 festival boasts 11 concerts featuring artists invited from around the world, alongside five chamber ensembles selected through a competitive call, and a lineup that spans symphonic powerhouses, intimate baroque ensembles and contemporary innovators. Launched in 2021 as a summer platform for local talent, the festival has since evolved into a full-fledged international event, helping to position Seoul as a major summer destination for classical music. The festival opens and closes with the SAC Festival Orchestra under conductor Lawrence Renes, best known for his work at the Royal Swedish Opera. The ensemble features a roster of international-caliber musicians, including double bassist Im Chae-moon of the London Symphony, cellist Moon Tae-guk, trumpeter Alexandre Baty of the Munich Philharmonic and flutist Han Yeo-jin from Hamburg's NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. Together, they will perform a gala of Richard Strauss on opening night on Aug. 5 and close the festival on Aug. 10 with Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki, followed by Mahler's Symphony No. 1 'Titan.' Debuting in Korea, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, a Carnegie Hall affiliate, will take the stage on Aug. 6, led by conductor Gianandrea Noseda, to present Mendelssohn and Rachmaninoff, joined by violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. Pianist Jan Lisiecki returns later in the week for a solo recital on Aug. 9, offering an unusual program of preludes from across the centuries -- from Bach to Chopin to Messiaen and Gorecki. Cello fans can look forward to a rare duo appearance by Steven Isserlis and longtime collaborator Connie Shih on Aug. 8, while the revered Trio Wanderer returns to Seoul on Aug. 6, two years after their last appearance. Making their Korean debut is the Geister Duo on Aug. 7, who, along with pianists Zhang Haochen on Aug. 9 and Kim Se-hyun on Aug. 8, represent a new generation of artists gaining global attention. All three have won top international prizes, including the Van Cliburn, Long-Thibaud and Munich ARD competitions. This year's open-call program focused exclusively on chamber music, resulting in five distinctive ensembles that cut across genres. Ensemble Hwadam on Aug. 5 premieres a commissioned nonet, while Jeong Ji-soo & Baroque in Blue on Aug. 5 explore the intersection of jazz and baroque. Novelty Quartet on Aug. 7 brings a socially conscious string program, while BrassArts Seoul on Aug. 8 highlights the richness of brass quintets. Ast Quartet on Aug. 9 offers a refined, European-informed string sound. Held at the Seoul Arts Center's Concert Hall, IBK Chamber Hall and Recital Hall, the festival provides a diverse classical experience at prices ranging from 20,000 won ($15) to 110,000 won.
Korea Herald
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul's weekend visual feast
K-pop star's homewears, Chagall's dreams and vintage treasures From a K-pop idol's whimsical showroom to a rare Chagall retrospective and Korea's biggest secondhand furniture market, here's where to indulge your visual senses. Inside the whimsical world of K-pop's creative visionary What happens when K-pop's most eccentric artist opens a homeware shop? Welcome to Say Touche, the brainchild of AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk. The singer-songwriter who once shaved his head mid-performance on live TV has channeled his offbeat creative vision into a different medium. Last year, he teamed up with photographer Lim Jae-lin to launch this showroom tucked away in Itaewon's quiet streets, its green signage beckoning the curious. Step inside and you're transported into what feels like an artist's actual home — if that artist possessed both refined taste and delightful whimsy. Each room displays living objects that toe the line between functional and fantastical. A retro TV doubles as an incense holder. Mathematical equations replace numbers on wall clocks. Whiskey bottles morph into table lamps. Even mirrors get the signature twist, framed to resemble FaceTime screens mid-call. The showstopper? Those lush Persian-style rugs with delightfully twisted takes. One features psychedelic patterns that contort into heart-like shapes. Another bears muddy footprints across its pristine surface. It's classic elegance hijacked by playful irreverence — true to the spirit of its creators. For those smitten by the quirky aesthetic, items are available for purchase both in-store and online, with worldwide shipping offered. Open noon to 7 p.m., closed on Mondays. Say Touche 53, Noksapyeong-daero 32-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Marc Chagall's dreamlike imagery in Seoul The exhibition 'Marc Chagall: Beyond Time' at Hangaram Art Museum, located at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul, brings together 170 works by Marc Chagall through Sept. 21. Chagall's major solo exhibition has returned to Seoul after seven years with works loaned from public and private collections around the world, according to the museum. His pieces combine features of surrealism, cubism and expressionism, earning the Russian-born French artist the nickname 'the magician of color.' The works on view through seven thematic sections include an immersive space that reimagines Chagall's architectural projects through media art such as the ceiling painting of the Palais Garnier in Paris and the twelve stained glass windows of the Hadassah Medical Center in Israel. The artist's iconic paintings 'Le Coq Violet' and 'La mariee au-dessus de Paris' are part of the exhibition. Hangaram Art Museum 2406 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho District, Seoul Apartmentfull Market, a vintage treasure trove For design lovers and furniture hunters alike, a trip to Apartmentfull Market is not just a shopping outing. It's a weekend experience worth the drive. Located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, this sprawling 1,000-pyeong (approximately 3,250-square-meter) space operates out of a massive two-story warehouse. But it's far more than a traditional furniture store. Apartmentfull Market functions as a dynamic hub where vintage and pre-owned furniture are not only displayed and sold, but also repaired and restored in real time. The showroom holds over 1,500 pieces, ranging from high-end, rare vintage finds to more accessible and practical secondhand items. What sets this place apart is its curatorial approach. Furniture isn't grouped by type, but styled harmoniously to evoke a lived-in, design-forward atmosphere. Each item includes simple tags noting price and details, so visitors can browse comfortably without needing to ask for assistance. A key feature of Apartmentfull Market is its open restoration studio, where visitors can witness furniture being cleaned, repaired and photographed. The venue also offers consignment services for those looking to pass on beloved items. Because new pieces arrive daily, it's wise to check the online inventory beforehand. Reservations are required and can be made via Naver. moonkihoon@ yunapark@ yoohong@
Korea Herald
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Legends convene: Esa-Pekka Salonen, Krystian Zimerman, New York Philharmonic return to Seoul
NY Phil in Seoul after 11 years and Zimerman at the Arts Center after 22 years After 11 years, the New York Philharmonic returns to Seoul. And after 22 years, pianist Krystian Zimerman finally steps back onto the stage of the Seoul Arts Center. These two long-awaited returns will be joined by Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, making for one of the most anticipated events in Korea's classical music calendar this year. From June 26 to 28, audiences will witness performances that span from Beethoven's transcendence to Berlioz's hallucinatory vision, as these musical giants gather for a rare collaboration. Founded in 1842 and shaped by towering figures like Mahler and Bernstein, the New York Philharmonic now enters a new era under incoming music director Gustavo Dudamel, set to take the helm in 2026. In the meantime, the ensemble is led on this tour by Finnish conductor-composer Salonen, renowned for his architectural precision and intellectual clarity. The orchestra is not only a familiar name among classical music fans, but also a symbol of cultural diplomacy, having made international headlines in 2008 with its historic performance in Pyongyang, North Korea. Adding to the rarity is the return of Zimerman, widely regarded as one of the greatest living pianists. Known for his perfectionism, Zimerman last performed at the Seoul Arts Center in 2003 in his Korea debut recital and since then has limited his Seoul appearances to Lotte Concert Hall. His reunion with the New York Philharmonic, nearly 30 years after their last collaboration in 1996, is all the more symbolic given Zimerman's 2009 protest against US military policy, after which he vowed not to perform in the US -- a pledge he has upheld. The June 27 program opens with Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, featuring Zimerman at the keyboard, followed by Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica.' The following evening shifts toward the French Impressionists and Romantics, as Salonen leads the orchestra through Ravel's "Mother Goose" suite, Debussy's 'La Mer' and Berlioz's 'Symphonie fantastique.' Art Center Incheon will host the same Beethoven program on June 26. Tickets range from 100,000 won ($72.55) to 530,000 won for June 27 and from 90,000 to 480,000 won for June 26 and 28.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'The Rising World' - a message-driven opera that wades through cloudy narrative
While not perfect, 'The Rising World' marks a bold and promising step for the Seoul Arts Center. "Tick, tick, tick, tick ..." A chorus encircles a giant ticking clock as they chant. Inside is a figure -- an artisan who sacrifices herself to restore order. Her act saves the princess and many others from a world submerged by water. What follows, the scene shows, is left to those who remain. One might read this as an allegory -- a warning about climate change, or a meditation on the power of unconditional sacrifice. In its first-ever original opera production, the Seoul Arts Center on Sunday premiered 'The Rising World,' composed by Mary Finsterer with a libretto by Tom Wright. While the music -- performed by the cast and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Steven Osgood -- was solidly executed, the narrative's arrival at that core message required the audience to wade through water -- slow and murky. The new opera presents a female-driven drama performed by top singers, soprano Hwang Soo-mi and mezzo-soprano Kim Jung-mi, set in an imaginative world that suffers from rising water after the princess becomes possessed by a water spirit. It offers no explanation of why the princess is possessed. That lack of exposition might have been forgivable -- even compelling -- had the narrative flowed with greater emotional momentum. A dramatic scene in which court advisers argue over how to handle the princess' possession stretches on without a dramatic payoff. One wonders if, with tonal variation -- even humor -- this segment could have landed more effectively. Musically, the score feels accessible and at times gently textured. Fluidity runs through the opera, echoing the motif of water throughout its orchestration, but it falls short of a powerful moment of catharsis. Visually, the aesthetic of the set and costumes evokes Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" -- a world defined by slate grays and deep blues. The stage is minimal yet symbolic, evoking ancient ruins. With this work, the Seoul Arts Center signals its ambition to reach global audiences through an English-language opera, backed by an international creative team -- including director Stephen Carr, who ensured that the production also incorporated culturally resonant elements for Korean audiences, such as traditional jars, the melancholic twang of the geomungo, and chants delivered in Korean. "The Rising World" will be presented two more times on May 29 and 31. gypark@
Korea Herald
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul Arts Center premieres new opera 'The Rising World,' blending myth, invention and global vision
In its first venture into producing an original opera, the Seoul Arts Center has partnered with an international creative team — and chosen English as the language of performance. 'The Rising World: The Spirit of Water,' set to premiere in May, draws inspiration from Korea's historical water clock and the country's rich folklore surrounding water spirits. According to the creative team, the opera is not an adaptation of an existing tale, but a newly imagined story that weaves Korean cultural motifs into a universal dramatic framework. Composer Mary Finsterer, known for her work across opera, film and orchestral music, described the piece as one of her most personal works to date. 'The story isn't rooted in a specific culture,' she explained. 'But Korean elements like the water clock and water spirit helped shape a world that speaks to all audiences.' Finsterer also incorporated Korean traditional instruments and sound textures into the score, including a geomungo cadenza performed live on stage. The geomungo is a traditional Korean plucked zither known for its deep, resonant timbre. Musically, 'The Rising World' emphasizes fluidity, echoing the motif of water throughout its orchestration, the composer explained. Finsterer said it blends conventional and electroacoustic elements, including the rare waterphone instrument, to evoke the elemental force of water. 'Every single note she writes — whether it's note length, rhythm, pitch, or phrasing — tells something very specific about what a character is feeling,' said conductor Steven Osgood, a veteran of more than thirty opera world premieres. Osgood is set to lead the Korean National Symphony Orchestra at the premiere. The opera centers on two female protagonists — a princess and an inventor — who drive the narrative as they confront environmental catastrophe and the corrupting force of power. Soprano Hwang Su-mi and mezzo-soprano Kim Jung-mi, who portray the lead roles, emphasized that while the opera highlights gender dynamics, its core message lies in the intergenerational transmission of wisdom and responsibility. 'This isn't just a story about two women,' Hwang noted. 'It's about how the younger generation rises to inherit and reshape the future.' 'There is no love story. Instead, it explores themes like the environment, power dynamics between the monarchy and the people, and offers reflections on Korea's current social context,' Hwang added. The cast also includes tenor Robin Tritschler, a seasoned performer with credits at Covent Garden's Royal Opera House and the Salzburg Festival, who plays the apprentice, and bass-baritone Ashley Riches, a globally acclaimed recitalist, in the role of the king. Countertenor Jung Min-ho, an early music specialist active in both Korea and Europe, takes on the role of the Spirit of Water, bringing an ethereal, otherworldly quality to the production. 'The Rising World' project dates back to 2022, when the Seoul Arts Center announced a renewed commitment to opera by strengthening its in-house productions. That initiative has included collaborations with the Royal Opera House on 'Norma' and 'Otello,' and now culminates in the world premiere of an entirely original work. 'We wanted to do more than just import foreign productions,' said Suh Kou-nee, general director of artistic planning and operations at SAC. 'This time, we aimed to create an opera that resonates globally while still reflecting a distinctly Korean identity.' Explaining the decision to stage the opera in English, Suh emphasized that it was not about prioritizing international markets, but rather about adopting a language that could reach the widest possible audience while still honoring Korean themes. 'After Korean, the most familiar language here is English,' she said. 'This is a Korean production told in a global voice.' With international staging in mind, SAC has begun negotiations with opera houses in Asia and Europe for performances in the 2027-28 seasons and established a partnership with Schott Music, the prestigious German publisher known for releasing first editions of 'Don Giovanni,' 'The Ring Cycle' and more recently, works by Stravinsky. 'The Rising World: The Spirit of Water' will have its world premiere at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House on May 25, with additional performances scheduled for May 29 and 30.
