A revamped Figaro opens fire-damaged theater
A scene from “The Marriage of Figaro.” Provided by Seoul Arts Center
Following a fire in 2007, the theater underwent extensive renovations. A trial performance of “The Nutcracker” was held last December to test the new facilities.
“The Marriage of Figaro, which is to open this Friday, marks the grand opening of the renovated opera theater,” said Jung Da-mi of the center’s PR department.
The English production of the classic comic opera is David McVicar’s version of the original composed by Mozart in 1786. It was originally produced in January 2006 in time for the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth at the Royal Opera House, London. The reinterpretation of the original by McVicar, a Scottish opera and theater director, caused a sensation in the relatively conservative English opera community.
“We decided to choose McVicar’s Figaro as our grand opening opera because of its upbeat and comic nature,” added Jung.
The English production will be sung in Italian with Korean subtitles. The music will be performed by the Korean Symphony Orchestra and the National Chorus of Korea.
Romanian conductor Ion Marin will lead the orchestra with an impressive cast: Yun Hyung (baritone), Sara Jakubiak (soprano), Shin Young-ok (soprano) and Giorgio Caoduro (baritone) among others.
Jung said the renovations have encompassed the damaged main stage and backstage, and the seating arrangements have been improved to exclude seats with obstructed views.
The acoustics have also been improved, Jung said.
By Jason Kim Staff Reporter [jason@joongang.co.kr]
“The Marriage of Figaro” will open tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets cost from 40,000 won ($25.80) to 200,000 won for VIP seats.
The duration of the opera is three hours.
For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Seoul Arts Center is located near Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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