Vocal Concerts Feature Top Korean Singers
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Some say that the most important instrument in music is the human voice. Classical music fans can look forward to special vocal concerts in Seoul featuring top Korean choristers and opera singers.
Choral Music for All
Concertgoers can enjoy performances by two of the city's foremost choirs at the affordable price of only 10,000 won for each performance at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Junior Chorus fetes its 45th anniversary this year and holds its 141st subscription concert today at 5 p.m. The talented youths encourage music lovers of all ages to attend, particularly young people enjoying their summer vacation.
This will be a special opportunity to hear live renditions of household songs that appear in elementary, middle and high school textbooks, including the Korean traditional melody ``Arirang'' and the American folk song ``Oh! Susanna.''
The concert, appropriately titled ``Song With Teachers,'' features members of the Seoul Music Teachers' Choir and showcases special student-teacher harmonies.
On Saturday, the Seoul Metropolitan Choir offers a matinee family concert under the theme ``Joy Classic.'' The choir will offer a colorful array of music, from pop songs like John Rutter's ``Gloria'' to musical numbers from ``West Side Story'' to Russian and Mongolian folk songs.
All tickets cost 10,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for reservations or (02) 399-1114~6 for more information about the concerts.
Remembering a Legendary Voice
A crystalline tone that effortlessly sweeps through three octaves, a mad bravura capable of expressing kaleidoscopic moods, and a deep humanistic concern for society ― these are just a few traits that people remember of the late Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007).
A concert will be held Sept. 5 at Seoul Arts Center to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of the legendary Italian singer.
Titled ``Remember Pavarotti,'' the concert given by the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra will feature some of the country's top singers to commemorate the life and art of the tenor.
Particularly notable is the scheduled appearances of tenor Shin Dong-ho, 54, a winner of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, and the esteemed Kim Young-mi, who performed opposite the late legend himself in 1981. Praised by Pavarotti as a convincing, dynamic artist who is able to balance both high and low notes, the 55-year-old soprano recently wowed the local opera scene in the National Opera of Korea's rendition of ``Norma.''
Other featured artists include mezzo-soprano Lee A-kyeong, baritone Oh Seung-yong, bass Kim Yo-han and tenors Ha Man-taek, Lee Hyun, Ha Seok-be and Park Hyun-jae.
The program features Italian songs that Pavarotti enjoyed singing, including operatic arias from Bellini's ``I Puritani,'' Verdi's ``Don Carlos'' and Donizetti's ``Lucia di Lammermoor.''
Tickets cost 20,000-70,000 won. Call (031) 392-6422.