2011.1.5 TICKET
The Korean version of “The Three Musketeers” will be presented in Seoul at Chungmu Art Hall’s Grand Theater through the end of the month. See THEATER, below. [NEWSIS]
MUSIC
NEW YEAR’S CONCERT
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Theatre
Tomorrow: Start off the new year by listening to a classical music concert by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and cellist Yang Sung-won. Together, they will play Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, and Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, “From the New World.” Chung Myung-whun conducts.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 10,000 won ($8.85) to 50,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 399-1114, www.sejongpac.or.kr
KUMHO ART HALL NEW YEAR’S CONCERT
Kumho Art Hall
Tomorrow: Kumho Art Hall starts the new year with its Young Artists concert series. The first performance in the series features 17-year-old pianist Cho Seong-Jin, who won first place at the 7th Annual Hamamatsu International Piano Competition. The program includes Beethoven’s Sonata No. 24 in F Sharp, Op. 78; Chopin’s Nocturne No. 2 in E Flat, Op. 9; and Scriabin’s Etude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 2 No. 1.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets are 8,000 won to 30,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 7
(02) 6303-7700, www.kumhoarthall.com
RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Sunday: Ryuichi Sakamoto returns for his first appearance in Korea since 2000. The concert features two pianos - Sakamoto will play one and the other piano 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
I HAVE A DREAM: SHARE THE HOPE
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Theatre
Jan. 11: Paul Potts, a loner turned star singer, and Kevin Kern, a blind pianist, are artists who overcame obstacles to become world stars. Through this concert, they aim to give the gift of hope to disabled and low-income children.
Soprano Yisabel will appear as a guest.
The program includes “Love Story,” “What a Wonderful World” and “Moon River.”
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 33,000 won to 198,000 won. Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 2052-1386~7, www.sejongpac.or.kr
STING: SYMPHONICITY
Olympic Gymnastics Arena
Jan. 11: British musician Sting brings his Symphonicity world tour to Seoul to promote his latest album “Symphonicities.”
He will be performing worldwide favorites from his days with The Police, including “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take,” as well as hit songs from his solo career, such as “Englishman in New York,” “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” and “Fields of Gold.” He will be joined by the Korean Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Mercurio, who has conducted concerts for classical musicians like Andrea Bocelli and the late Luciano Pavarotti.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 77,000 won to 230,000 won.
Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3
(02) 3141-3488, http://ticket.interpark.com/Global
ROCK LEGEND SHIN JOONG-HYUN
Daehangno Small Theater
To Jan. 15: The legendary 72-year-old guitarist, known in Korea as the godfather of rock, presents a month of concerts. He chose Daehangno Small Theater because it was where he performed in 1960 at the height of his career.
He will perform his hits “Lover in the Rain,” “One Cup of Coffee,” “My Love,” “Beauty” and more.
Last December, Shin became the first Asian musician to have a tribute guitar made for him by Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
He will play the tribute guitar, which was named the “Shin Joong-hyun Tribute Stratocaster,” at the concert.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays.
Tickets are 50,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 1
(02) 764-4444
JOE HISAISHI
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Theatre
Jan. 18 to 19: Joe Hisaishi is a Japanese composer and conductor who is well known for composing film scores for many of director Hayaro Miyazaki’s animated films, including “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea” (2008), “Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004), “Princess Mononoke” (1997) and “My Neighbor Totoro” (1988).
This concert includes songs from the soundtrack of Takeshi Kitano’s film “Kikujiro” (1999).
He will be accompanied by the Korean Symphony Orchestra.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 187,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 518-9272, www.sejongpac.or.kr
VIENNA STRAUSS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 20: Start the new year with the Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra, conducted by Willy Buchler. The orchestra was founded by Johann Strauss specialist Peter Guth 30 years ago and is known for its authentic interpretations of Strauss’ music. The program includes “Die Fledermaus,” “Champagner Polka” and “Russischer Marsch,” Op. 426.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 599-5743, www.sac.or.kr
KOREAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 27: The Korean Chamber Orchestra and Busan Boys Orchestra start off the New Year with a performance of works by Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven and more. The program includes Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” overture; Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5”; Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin and Cello,” Op. 56; and Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons: Winter and Summer”; and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor “From the New World.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 150,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 732-3090, www.sac.or.kr
THEATER
HERO
The National Theater of Korea, Main Hall Hae
To Jan. 15: Winner in six categories at the 4th Musical Awards and the 16th Korea 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. from Tuesday to Friday, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won.
Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2
Take a shuttle in front of Taegeukdang.
(02) 2290-5900, www.ntok.go.kr
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater
To Jan. 30: The legendary story of the three musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis returns to Korea, following sold-out houses the last time it was presented here.
Based on the 1884 novel by Alexandre Dumas, the play tells the story of d’Artagnan and his friends, the three musketeers.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; at 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and at 3 and 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 120,000 won.
Sindang Station, line No. 2, exit 1
Walk 150 meters (about 500 feet) toward Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station.
(02) 2230-6624, www.musicalthreemusketeers.com
BILLY ELLIOT
LG Arts Center
To Feb. 27: Based on the movie of the same name, and with music by Elton John, this musical has been a mega-hit worldwide. This is the first non-English language production of the show, which was previously produced in Britain, Australia and the United States. Four men will alternate in the title role, including Im Sun-woo, who is the youngest person ever to play the character. It was nominated in 15 categories at the 2009 Tony Awards and ended up winning 10 of the major awards, including best musical.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
(02) 3446-9630, www.musicalbillyelliot.co.kr
AIDA
Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House
To March 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. from 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
CHRISTMAS IN BUSAN FESTIVAL
Gwangbokro Street, Busan
To Jan. 17: Gigantic Christmas trees and a variety of lights will decorate the streets of downtown Busan at night until Jan. 17. About 90 trees have been installed along a one-kilometer section from the entrance of Gwangbokro to Chamseon Samgeori. The facades of large buildings are also decorated with Christmas trees.
(051) 759-7144, www.btcf.kr
FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Dahyanggak and Butjae Tea Plantations, Boseong, South Jeolla
To Feb. 6: Boseong, some 400 kilometers south of Seoul, is one of the major tea production areas in South Korea. Installations include large Christmas trees, illuminations and a tunnel of light called the “Milky Way Tunnel of Love.” These installations follow the paths of green tea plantations to offer fantastic night views.
(061) 850-5223, www.boseong.go.kr/ko/culture/events/light_festival.
PYEONGCHANG TROUT FESTIVAL
Jinbu Township, Pyeongchang, Gangwon
Saturday to Jan. 31: Pyeongchang is a haven for winter sports thanks to an abundance of snowfall. Try ice fishing, sledding, 4-wheel ATV riding, snow rafting and traditional folk games. Any trout caught while ice fishing and lure fishing can be prepared right away at a nearby restaurant.
(033) 336-4000, www.festival700.or.kr)
HWACHEON MOUNTAIN TROUT FESTIVAL
Hwacheon Stream, Hwacheon, Gangwon
Saturday to Jan. 30: Enjoy fishing for mountain trout under the thick ice of Hwacheon Stream, the source of the North Han River. Catch trout with your bare hands, compete in a sled race, play football on the ice or try bobsledding. There is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Samples of raw and grilled mountain trout are also available.
1688-3005, www.narafestival.com
*Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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