2012.4.12 TICKET
Carmen Mota, Spanish dancer and choreographer, returns to Korea with her troupe to stage a Flamenco dance musical at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. See, THEATER, below. Provided by the organizer
THE ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
To April 24: The Seoul Arts Center presents its 24th annual Orchestra Festival in commemoration of the opening of the concert hall in 1989. The Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, Ewha Womans University Orchestra, and Unpa Memorial Orchestra are just three of the ensembles from across the nation set to perform during the 24-day festival. Pianist Kim Dae-jin, and the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition winner soprano Seo Sun-young and many other notable artists will be performing solo recitals as well. The festival will wrap up with a performance by the Unpa Memorial Orchestra, which was formed in memory of Im Won-sik (1919-2002), one the fathers of Korean symphony orchestras.
The concerts start at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 10,000 won to 30,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
1588-7890, www.sac.or.kr
LEGENDARY I MUSICI 60TH
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
June 15: I Musici, the Italian chamber orchestra, celebrates its 60th anniversary. It was formed in 1952 by 12 musicians who graduated from notable Italian music school Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Music. The group is well known for its interpretations of Baroque, Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni. The interpretation of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” is especially loved by many, and the group has recorded six versions. I Musici’s leader Antonio Anselmi will play “Four Seasons” solo and the orchestra will play Ennio Morricone’s “Morricone Suite.” Guitarist Kim Seh-hwang of rock group N.EX.T will also perform with the chamber orchestra.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
1588-7890, www.sac.or.kr
THEATER
TESTAMENT
Mary Hall, Sogang University
Tomorrow to Saturday: The theater company She She Pop from Germany will hold its first performance in Seoul with its play “Testament,” which is based on Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” The play explores an inconvenient truth behind generational conflicts related to the aging of society, caring for the elderly, and inheritance issues. The actors’ fathers appear on stage, adding a dose of reality to the candid and bare creation.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. tomorrow and at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 40,000 won.
Sinchon Station, line No. 2, exit 6
(02) 730-9616, www.festivalbom.org
SPARTACUS
Seoul Arts Center, Opera House
Tomorrow to Sunday: A story of Spartacus, former gladiator and military leader of the Third Servile War, will be performed by the Korea National Ballet under Yuri Grigorovich’s instruction. Grigorovich is a Russian dancer and choreographer who dominated Russian ballet for 33 years.
Concerts start at 8 p.m. on Friday and at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets range from 5,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
1588-7890, www.sac.or.kr
HAMLET STORY
Modern Post Theatre
April 19 to 29: Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” the playwright’s longest play, will be performed by Theater Gabyun for 10 days. In recreating the Shakespearian masterpiece, director Lee Seoung-gu purposely chose actors of widely differing ages - from eight years old to 58 years old - to highlight the contrast in various scenes. Hamlet will be played by Kim Dong-hyun, who has also appeared in “Sea Without Water” (2009), “Proof” (2010) and “Happiness” (2011-12). In a turmoil of conspiracy and authority, Hamlet struggles to find his way, and the audience may relate their lives to the themes of the timeless classic.
Performances start at 8 p.m. on weekdays; at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets cost 25,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2
1588-0184, ticket.auction.co.kr
SEOPYONJE
Universal Arts Center
To April 22: Lee Cheong-jun’s book “Seopyonje,” which was later adapted to a film of the same name, has been made into a musical with a star-studded cast. Like the film, the musical tells the story of a girl who has devoted her life to pansori, or narrative singing. Director Lee Ji-na stages the production with help from Yoon Il-sang, who is well known for composing some of the greatest K-pop hits of the 1990s, including songs for Turbo, DJ Doc, Cool, Kim Bum-soo and Kim Gun-mo. The performance features Lee Young-mi, who has starred in numerous musicals, including “Jekyll and Hyde” and “Hedwig.”
Performances start at 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday; at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays. There are no performances on Mondays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 90,000 won.
Achasan Station, line No. 5, exit 4
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com
DAS MUSICAL ELISABETH
Blue Square Musical Hall
To May 13: This musical hits Korea for the first time after having been translated into seven languages and presented in 10 countries since its debut in Vienna in 1992.
The musical traces the life of Elisabeth, the empress of Austria, who longs for love and freedom from her restrictive life.
Oak Joo-hyun, who has appeared in several musicals including “Aida,” “Chicago,” and “Cats,” performs in the title role.
Performances start at 8 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com
RIVERSIDE CABARET
Gangdong Arts Center, Grand Theater
May 15 to 26: Based on the life of notable singer Bae Ho during the 1960s and ‘70s, the production hopes to bridge the gap between the younger and older generations by connecting audiences through music.
Although Bae passed away at age 29, Koreans still remember him as a symbol of the era.
The musical is directed by Kim Seo-ryong, who has directed concerts for K-pop stars like Rain, 2PM, and Park Jin-young.
Performances start at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 40,000 won.
Godeok Station, line No. 5, exit 4
1544-1555, www.gangdongarts.or.kr
CARMEN MOTA’S ALMA DE FUEGO
LG Arts Center
May 23 to 26: Spanish dancer and choreographer Carmen Mota returns to Korea with her troupe to stage the Flamenco dance musical “Alma de Fuego” (“Soul of Fire”). More than 30 years ago, Mota created the choreographic masterpiece that mingles the core strength of Spanish dance with contemporary tones, and with that performance, she has built the success of the troupe. The concert starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday; and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 150,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
1544-1555, www.lgart.com
TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE
JAMI
Samcheonggak, Ilwhadang Concert Hall
To June 27: The word “jami” means “good food with a lot of nutrition” as well as “fun” in the dialect of Jeju Island, the country’s southernmost island. Admission to the show also includes a fare of Korean dishes and traditional tea. Performances are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at noon.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 70,000 won.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com
Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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