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A stage sketch for a bloody scene from the third act of Verdi's ``Macbeth,'' to be staged for the first time in Korea by the National Opera of Korea, Oct. 4-8 at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of the National Opera of Korea |
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
First Staging of `Macbeth'
Opera lovers and those beginning to take an interest in the genre should not miss Korea's first production of Verdi's ``Macbeth,'' a cornerstone of the standard operatic repertoire. The National Opera of Korea brings what is expected to be a stellar performance of the classic Italian piece, Oct. 4-8 at Seoul Arts Center.
Based on Shakespeare's play about the tragedy of the human moral order, the four-act opera was created by the monumental Giuseppe Verdi with libretto by Franceso Maria Piave (additions by Andrea Maffei), and was staged for the first time in Florence in 1847.
In this archetypal tale of man's sinfully seductive lust for power, Macbeth is persuaded by his wife to seize the throne of Scotland by betraying his kinsman and king, Duncan. Yet suffocating guilt haunts the couple, and justice prevails in the end.
 The best of domestic and foreign talent brings ``Macbeth'' to life. Italian conductor Maurizio Benini, whose recent works include the 2006 renditions of ``The Barber of Seville" at the New York Metropolitan and ``Don Carlos'' at London's Covent Garden, will woo Seoulites with his magical touch. Feted baritones You Dong-jik and Alexandru Agache (Romania) will alternate the role of Macbeth, while celebrated sopranos Seo He-ion and Georgina Lukacs (Hungary) will personify Lady Macbeth.
Audiences should be prepared for an unforgettable audiovisual experience accompanied by goose bumps. Ulisse Santicchi, the mastermind behind the National Opera's production of ``Simon Boccanegra'' and ``Turandot,'' directs the staging of this dark, blood-tainted story, with Liviano Dal Pozzo in charge of costumes and set designs, to depict the harrowing emotional turmoil of characters onstage.
In Italian with Korean subtitles. Tickets cost 10,000~150,000 won. Call 1588-7890 or visit www.ticketlink.co.kr for reservations. The opera begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 4:00 p.m. on the weekend.
`Carmen' Made Easy
In celebration of its third anniversary, the Seoul Open Theater Changdong has invited the National Opera of Korea to restage a narrated version of Georges Bizet's ``Carmen,'' Oct. 12-13.
Lately, numerous opera productions by both domestic and foreign troupes have been pouring onto the Korean art scene, but the genre remains novel to many. This performance of ``Carmen'' is especially recommended for those who feel hesitant about plunging into the world of arias.
The original four-act opera has been cut back to 90 minutes, yet quality and quantity are two different things, so rest assured. The 19th century Spanish set design and costumes are top-notch, and family audiences will appreciate the narration by Ko Sung-jin, conductor of the National Opera Chorus of Korea.
``Carmen'' traces the tragic love story between the innocent Corporal Don Jose and the bewitchingly beautiful femme fatale, Carmen. Like its story, the opera ``Carmen'' itself had a rather dramatic flight onstage. Sneered as ``immoral'' and ``superficial'' when first staged in Paris in March, 1875, the opera was hailed as a triumph only after Bizet's death later on that same year. ``Carmen'' is now a staple of standard operatic repertoire, with the prelude ``Toreador Song'' and aria ``Habanera'' being the most famous songs in Western music history.
All tickets cost 10,000 won, while a 20 percent discount is available for Changdong members and one accompanying guest, and a 50 percent discount is offered for the physically disabled and their companion. Call 1588-7890 or visit www.ticketlink.co.kr for tickets.
The performance is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Visit Seoul Open Theater Changdong's Web site www.sotc.or.kr for more information.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
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