'Turandot,' Grant Mint Festival and other shows, performances to see in Korea

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'Turandot,' Grant Mint Festival and other shows, performances to see in Korea

Published: 10 Oct. 2024, 16:06 Updated: 10 Oct. 2024, 16:14

YIM SEUNG-HYE
yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr

DIE FLEDERMAUS

National Theater of Korea, Haeoreum Theater

Korea National Opera presents Johann Strauss’s opera “Die Fledermaus” [KOREA NATIONAL OPERA]

Oct. 11 and 12: Johann Strauss’s opera “Die Fledermaus” will be staged once again by the Korea National Opera. It will feature a variety of dance pieces including waltzes, polkas and quadrilles filled with bright tunes.

This operetta portrays the escapades of Baron Eisenstein, a nouveau riche philanderer, his snobbish wife Rosalinde, who married him for wealth but despises him, and their maid Adele, who is anxious to break into show business. Amid their mutual deceptions, the three attend the capricious Prince Orlofsky's ball, resulting in amusing mishaps. The stage presents elegant waltzes and polkas, stunning visuals, delightful extravagance and an entertaining story.

The opera begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets range from 30,000 won ($22.30) to 70,000 won.

Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6

TURANDOT
Olympic Park, KSPO Dome

A scene from the Arena di Verona original production of the opera “Turandot” [ARENA DI VERONA]

Oct. 12 - 19: One of Italy’s greatest opera blockbusters written by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) is making its first overseas outing in a century to Korea. The Arena di Verona's original production of “Turandot” is bringing its entire stage setting, costumes, production crew and cast to the KSPO Dome in southern Seoul for eight shows. The Arena di Verona is a venue for large-scale opera performances in Verona, Italy.

Arena di Verona's 'Turandot' to bring 1,000 staff from Italy for Korea debut

“Turandot” follows the titular princess of ancient China who seeks a man worthy of her hand in marriage. The decision is based on whoever answers three riddles correctly, with any wrong guesses resulting in a suitor’s execution. Prince Calaf successfully solves the riddles, but Turandot initially turns down his proposal. He then challenges her to guess his name, to which she fails, and eventually the two get married.

The opera will be conducted by Daniel Oren. Sopranos Olga Maslova, Oksana Dyka and Jeon Yea-jin will alternate the role of Turandot, and Calaf will be played by tenors Martin Muehle and Arturo Chacon Cruz. Other featured cast members are Mariangela Sicillia, Piero Giuliacci, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Elia Fabbian and Riccardo Rados.

The scale of “Turandot” is so large that there are about 1,000 staff members and performers flying in from Italy for the upcoming Korean show.

“Turandot” is Puccini’s final work and the Arena di Verona production was recreated by Italian director Franco Zeffirelli (1923-2019). This version was able to come to Korea with the help of the Sol Opera Company.

The opera begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, at 5 p.m. weekends and at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Tickets range from 50,000 won to 550,000 won.

Olympic Park Station, line No. 5 and 9, exit 3 or 4

GRAND MINT FESTIVAL 2024
Olympic Park

Singer and songwriter Kwon Jin-ah [YONHAP]

Oct. 26 – Nov. 3: As the hot weather continues to cool down, it will be time to enjoy outdoor music festivals. The annual Grand Mint Festival is back again for four days. This year's lineup includes Daybreak, BOL4 and Ha Dong-qn on Oct. 26; MeloMance, N.Flying and Redoor on Oct. 27; Kwon Jin-ah, pictured above, Glen Check, Kim Feel and So Soo Bin on Nov. 2; and Kyuhyun, Hynn, Band Nah and Hong Isaac on Nov. 3.

The Grand Mint Festival is known for featuring up-and-coming new artists alongside well-known artists in its lineup.

Doors will open from noon on each day.

A one-day ticket costs 121,000 won.

Olympic Park Station, line No. 5 and 9, exit 3 or 4

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Kwanglim Arts Center, BBCH Hall

Nov. 7 - Jan. 12, 2025: The Korean production of the hit rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” written by renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice in 1970 is back with Michael Lee and Park Eun-tae starring as Jesus. The show is loosely based on the life of Jesus Christ and his relationships with the people around him during the weeks before his crucifixion.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 150,000 won.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays to Thursdays, at 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Apgujeong Station, line No. 3, exit 4

KINKY BOOTS
Blue Square, Shinhan Card Hall

Through Nov. 10: Charlie Price takes over the family business from his father and begins to run a shoe factory, but he soon realizes he is on the verge of bankruptcy. In a bid to find a breakthrough, the businessman unwillingly teams up with a drag performer named Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots for other drag queens called "kinky boots."

Through the relationship between the unlikely pair, the musical spotlights how people from different backgrounds come to understand each other.

This hit musical is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and the Korean production is joining in to mark the occasion. The musical features actors Lee Seok-hoon from the K-pop trio SG Wannabe, Kim Sung-kyu from the K-pop boy band Infinite and musical actors Shin Jae-bum and Kim Ho-young as Charlie. Four musical actors — Choi Jae-lim, Park Eun-tae, Kang Hong-seok and Seo Kyung-soo — will alternate the role of Lola.

The musical starts at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays; and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Ticket prices range from 80,000 won to 170,000 won.

Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2 or 3

THE NUTCRACKER

Seongnam Arts Center
Nov. 29 and 30: This year, the Universal Ballet Company is touring the country with "The Nutcracker," offering opportunities for those in other cities on the peninsula to enjoy the Christmas season performance. The company will be making stops in Daegu on Nov. 15, followed by Daejeon on Nov. 22 and then coming up to Seongnam in Gyeonggi on Nov. 29 and 30.

The Universal Ballet Company's “The Nutcracker” is choreographed by Vasili Vainonen from the Mariinsky Theatre. The ballet company premiered the Christmas classic back in 1986 on its home soil and has been staging the show every year since then.

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets range from 20,000 won to 90,000 won.

Imae Station, Bundang line, exit 1

*Most tickets are available at ticket.interpark.com/global or by calling 1544-1555

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]