2010.12.8 TICKET
Jeong Seong-hwa, center, plays colonial-era resistance fighter Ahn Jung-geun in the musical “Hero” at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul. The musical won in six categories at both the 4th Musical Awards and the 16th Korean Musical Awards. See THEATER, right. [NEWSIS]
MUSIC
‘CARMEN’ GALA
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Today: Sugi Opera presents songs from Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen.” The concert features Russian mezzo soprano, Elena Maksimova, who has earned the praise of conductors Zubin Metha and Lorin Maazel; tenor Francesco Grollo; and Korean soprano Shin Ji-Hwa.
Maksimova played Carmen at the Teatro alla Scala di Milano in Italy. The gala includes “Gypsy Song,” “Habanera” and “Toreador Song.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won ($26.50) to 200,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 581-5404, www.sac.or.kr
GREAT 3B SERIES: BEETHOVEN 2010
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Thursday: The 3B Series is a three-year series honoring the music of Beethoven (in 2010), Brahms (in 2011) and Bach (in 2012).
Beethoven is the focus of the first set of concerts. This one features Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, playing “Choral Fantasy in C minor, Op. 80,” and the “Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125.” The conductor is Kim Dae-Jin, professor of music at the Korea National University of Arts.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 40,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 592-5728, www.sac.or.kr
RICHARD CLAYDERMAN
Goyang AramNuri Arts Center and other venues
Thursday: Pianist Richard Clayderman brings his renditions of classical and pop songs to Korea in a seven-city tour of Busan, Ilsan, Daegu, Jeonju, Changwon, Seoul and Jinju. Clayderman’s album “Ballade Pour Adeline” has sold more than 22,000 copies. His repertoire includes Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Vangelis’ “Chariots of Fire” and classic Korean pop songs like “To J” (originally recorded by Shin Seon-hee) and “Invisible Love” (originally recorded by Shin Seung-hun).
The concert in Seoul is at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Kyunghee University’s Pyunghwa Theater.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
(02) 1688-2026, www.clayderman.co.kr
CHANGWOO WORLD INSTRUMENT FESTIVAL
Bukchon Changwoo Theater
To Friday: Musicians from Japan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, India and other Asian countries will perform traditional music from their homland. The festival program also includes performances by well-known artists like Taiko drummer Shuichi Hidano and sitar and surbahar player Jagdeep Singh Bedi from India.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are 20,000 won.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 3
Walk straight until you see Changdeok Palace’s stone wall. Turn left and pass Wonseo Park. The theater is located in the left alley.
(02) 747-3809, www.bcchangwoo.com
HIROMI UEHARA
Mapo Art Center, Art Center Mac
Saturday: Jazz pianist and composer Hiromi Uehara, who was called a “forceful presence” by The New York Times, is known for a funky musical style that combines jazz, rock, classical, Latin and other genres. She was named Jazz Artist of the Year at the Golden Disk Awards this year.
In this concert, Uehara will perform pieces from her newly released album “Place to Be,” including “Bern Baby Bern,” “Island Azores,” “Choux a la Creme,” as well as the title track.
The concert starts at 6 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 60,000 won.
Daeheung Station, line No. 6, exit 2
(02) 3274-8600, www.mapoartcenter.or.kr
ADIEU 2010! YEAR-END CONCERT
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Dec. 14: The Korean Chamber Orchestra presents its 45th Anniversary Concert featuring pianist Ulrich Meining, violinist and Kyunghee University professor Yang Ko-woon and cellist and Yonsei University professor Yang Sung-won. Kim Min conducts.
The program features pieces by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959), including “Concertino for Piano Trio and Strings.” It also includes Felix Mendelssohn’s “String Octet, Op. 20,” and Arnold Schonberg’s “Verklarte Nacht.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 592-5728, www.sac.or.kr
2000-2010 KUMHO ART HALL HIGHLIGHT
Kumho Art Hall
To Dec. 23: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Kumho Art Hall is presenting previous performers, including gayageum player Ji Aeri (Thursday); the Chamber Music Society featuring Kim Dae-jin, Oh Yun-ju, David Kim and others (Dec. 16); and the Kumho Asiana Soloists (Dec. 23).
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 8,000 won to 30,000 won. Tickets for the Dec. 16 concert are 30,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 7
(02) 6303-7700, www.kumhoarthall.com
HARPIST JUNG KWAK
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Dec. 26: This is a benefit concert for the United Help for International Children organization, which funds surgery for disadvantaged children.
The two-part program includes Schumann’s “Traumerei” and Elgar’s “Salut d’Amor,” as well as Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World.”
The Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra and flutist Lee So-young are the featured guests.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 780-5054, www.sac.or.kr
RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 9: Ryuichi Sakamoto returns for his first appearance in Korea since 2000. The concert features two pianos - one that Sakamoto will play, the other will play recordings of Sakamoto’s songs. The concert features songs from Sakamoto’s recent albums “Playing the Piano” and “Out of Noise,” both from 2009.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 160,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 555-5743, www.sac.or.kr
THEATER
SWAN LAKE
Seoul Arts Center, Opera Theater
To Sunday: The Korea National Ballet Company presents “Swan Lake” with special guest star Choi Yoo-hee, first soloist of London’s Royal Ballet. This will be Choi’s first performance in Korea.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 5,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 399-1114~6, www.sac.or.kr
THE MARRIAGE OF FIAGARO
Arko Arts Theater, Main Hall
Dec. 10 to 26: This production celebrates the 50th anniversary of Shilhum Theater.
The play aims to show the difference between the social status of France in the 18th century and how it is still portrayed in the present.
It stars renowned theater actors Suh In-suk and Lee Young-bum. It is directed by Ku Tae-hwan.
This performance is only for ages 13 and up.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; at 3 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday; at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Performances are also at 8 p.m. on Dec. 13; and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Tickets range from 25,000 won to 70,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2
(02) 889-3561~2, www.hanpac.or.kr
THE SNOWMAN
Hoam Art Hall
To Dec. 31: The Korean language version of “The Snowman,” a musical based on the children’s book of the same name by English author Raymond Briggs, returns for an encore performance after its premiere here in March 2009. The musical is a classic tale about the adventures of a boy and his snowman. Created in 1986 in London, the musical has been a popular holiday favorite ever since.
Performances are at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 35,000 won to 55,000 won.
City Hall Station, line No. 1 or 2, exit 9
(02) 751-9607~10, www.hoamarthall.org
JEKYLL AND HYDE
Charlotte Theater
Open run: Since the first performance of “Jekyll and Hyde” in Korea in 2004, this musical has been a favorite with Korean audiences.
Jekyll and Hyde is set in London in 1885. Henry Jekyll is a doctor and scientist who lives with his sick father and decides to devote his life to finding a cure for his mental illness. He ultimately decides to experiment on himself, which is when he starts to form his frightening other half - Hyde.
Jekyll is played by musical theater actor Kim Jun-hyun. Kim made a name for himself playing the title role in “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 2009.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays, at 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won.
Jamsil Station, line No. 2 or 8, exit 3, and go past the front entrance of the Lotte Hotel.
(02) 1588-5212, www.jekyllnhyde.co.kr
HERO
The National Theater of Korea, Main Hall Hae
To Jan. 15: Winner in six categories at the 4th Musical Awards and the 16th Korean Musical Awards, this original musical about colonial-era resistance fighter Ahn Jung-geun returns to the stage once again. This year’s production features new high-tech effects such as 3-D images and a real train that rises into the air.
The role of Ahn Jung-geun is played alternately by Jeong Seong-hwa, Yang Jun-mo and Sin Seong-rok.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. On Dec. 24, performances are at 3:30 and 8 p.m., and on Dec. 31 there is one performance at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won.
Dongkuk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2 Take a shuttle in front of Taegeukdang.
(02) 2290-5900, www.ntok.go.kr
AIDA
Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House
Dec. 14 to Mar. 27: Aida returns to Korea after a five-year absence. The story of Ethiopian princess Aida is one of forbidden love. Aida is captured and sold into slavery in Egypt, where Egyptian military commander Radames falls in love with her. As the military commander of Egypt, Radames is forbidden to love a woman from a different country and he struggles to choose between her and his service to the Pharaoh. To make matters worse, the Pharaoh’s daughter Amneris is in love with him. Will Radames chose love or success?
The role of Aida is played by Ock Joo-hyun, a former member of girl group Fin.K.L.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
Imae Station, Bundang line, exit 1
(02) 1544-1555, www.snart.or.kr
FESTIVALS
SEOUL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
CGV Sangam, Seoul
Tomorrow to Dec. 17: The Seoul Independent Film Festival will feature all manner of independent movies from dramas and documentaries to animation and experimental films. This annual showcase - with 64 films this year - is dedicated to exchanging ideas and mutual understanding, promoting international exchange and having the audience be active participants as volunteers and jury members. Some documentaries that will be shown tackle recent political issues like the four-rivers restoration project and the Yongsan redevelopment project.
There is a competition with awards given out for domestic independent films.
(02) 362-9513, www.siff.or.kr.
Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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