Sadly singing her way back home
Karin Kleinheinz, left, sings with other members of Varioso, the only international female vocal ensemble in Korea, during its “Summer Concert” on Saturday at the Goethe Institut in Seoul. Kleinheinz, a German expatriate in Korea, helped organize the choir in September 2004. By Moon Gwang-lip
A larger-than-expected audience, including latecomers who had no choice but to stand, packed the auditorium of the German cultural center, located on Mount Namsan. They were there to see Varioso, the only international female vocal ensemble in Korea. Kleinheinz organized the group three years ago.
Kleinheinz wanted to make this her best performance, as it was her last concert as a member of the choir, which includes singers from Switzerland, Australia, the United States and Germany as well as a Korean pianist.
“It would have been embarrassing if we had made a mistake or something,” said Kleinheinz, who is leaving for Germany in August, after the concert wrapped up with thunderous applause. “This is the last chance to lead the group and I wanted people to know we have been a success. I think we did a good job today.”
Founded in September 2004 by Kleinheinz and her French friend Suzanne Guillier, the Varioso have performed at several Christmas galas in Seoul. They also sing during regular services at the International Catholic and Lutheran Churches in Hannam-dong.
Varioso also performed at a benefit concert held in the COEX auditorium during the summer of 2005 to raise funds for unmarried mothers. An amateur singer in Germany, Kleinheinz came to Korea in October 2003 following her husband, an executive with Germany’s Siemens.
She decided to start the choir after meeting many expatriates who had the same hobby, but rarely had a chance to sing.
The group became like a magnet, she said, attracting amateur and professional singers from among the wives of expatriate employees at international companies and embassies. Korean pianist Jang Se-jung also joined in. And music has made them one.
“Actually we all love music,” she said. “We are a mixture of everything, but what unites us is fun and music.”
Matching the name of the group, variety is emphasis of the members diverse tastes in music, said Kleinheinz.
Thus, Saturday’s event, titled “Summer Concert,” featured classical and modern music including the Beatles’ “Yesterday,” Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow” and George Gershwin’s “But Not for Me.”
“l liked the variation and enjoyed most of the songs,” said Christine Ortin from Germany, who brought her child along. “This could attract even larger audiences. I really enjoyed it.”
Kang Ji-won, one of the few Koreans in the audience, said the performance was one of the best she had seen by any choir.
“They may be amateurs, but they looked so comfortable,” said the 28-year-old art history student, who is attending graduate school at Hongik University in Seoul. “They seemed to enjoy performing. I liked the concert very much.”
Two months from now, Kleinheinz is leaving with her husband, who is returning to Siemens headquarters, putting an end to her singing career in Korea.
She said she is sad and worried.
“We are quite successful here, so I would very much like to continue,” she said. “When I get back to Germany, nobody is waiting for me to sing. So I think this will be a little bit hard.”
The choir’s future is assured, however.
“Members of the choir are always changing,” she said, adding that two new members joined recently.
Julia Boehm, also from Germany, has recently been named as the new leader of the ensemble.
“We will miss Karin,” she said. “But we like to sing and we will keep Varioso going. Hopefully we will have more performances like this.”
By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Writer
[enational@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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