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From left, baritone Carlo Kang, conductor Marco Balderi, soprano Im Sun-hae, tenors Cho Jeong-ki and Chung Ho-yoon and director Lee So-young appear at a press event for the opera "L'Elisir d'Amore." Donizetti's masterpiece will be staged at Seoul Arts Center, Sept. 26-30. / Courtesy of Korea National Opera |
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
For its fall season opening at the end of the month, the Korea National Opera will stage Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'Amore." The troupe's director is taking the helm for the first time in two years for what is expected to be a "star-studded" performance, featuring top talents and a backdrop of stellar orbits.
Donizetti's popular comic opera is essentially a romantic comedy set in an 18th-century rural Italian village. Penniless Nemorino is desperately in love with the beautiful landowner Adina, but he faces tough competition from the pompous Sergeant Belcore. He becomes convinced that he can win Adina's heart with a fake "love potion" from the traveling salesman Dulcamara. But little does he know that taking the so-called elixir of love is unnecessary, as a series of mishaps result in a happy ending as the coldhearted beauty realizes her affections for Nemorino.
Artistic director Lee So-young has reinterpreted the love story, drawing out Asian values and universal themes.
"I hesitated," she told reporters Monday in Seoul about directing the bel canto opera. "This opera is free of frills ― the music by Donizetti is enough ― and I felt that I could offer nothing new as an artist.
"But it felt like time halted when I heard the Nemorino's aria `Una Furtiva lagrima' on the radio by chance. I believe that if we sing earnestly from true heartbreak, it will change the world and alter the constellation of stars," said Lee.
The opera will feature a large "hangari," or clay pot, that symbolizes both fullness and emptiness. Lee describes it as "the universe in our hearts."
"Our ancestors used to pray their hearts out before a bowl of water beneath the moonlit sky. I believe that would move the moon," she said.
"It is often difficult to deliver the beautiful simplicity of Donizetti's opera," said Marco Balderi, who will conduct the TIMF Ensemble in the production in his second collaboration with the Korea National Opera.
"But this rendition is a story of the universe and there is an honesty and simplicity in the expression. I hope the major European opera houses like La Scala will see how Donizetti's piece is staged in Seoul," said the conductor, who impressed the local audience earlier this year in "Norma."
In addition to the Italian conductor, the production brings together the best Korean vocalists currently based at European opera houses.
Grammy Award-nominated ("La Clemanza di Tito") soprano Im Sun-hae returns to Korea from Germany to portray Adina, while tenors Chung Ho-yoon and Cho Jeong-ki will share the role of the hopeless romantic Nemorino.
Chung is the first Korean tenor to sing in the prestigious Vienna State Opera while Cho is a critically acclaimed member of the Cologne Opera House.
Opera fans can also look forward to Shim In-sung as his signature character, Dolcamara. The first Korean singer to become a member of the Vienna State Opera, the bass has played Dolcamara for seven consecutive seasons.
Last but not least, Carlo Kang will give life to Belcore. A champion of major international competitions including the Maria Callas, Placido Domingo and Giuseppe Verdi, he is the first Korean male vocalist to appear in the esteemed Verona Opera Festival.
"L'Elisir d'Amore" will run at the Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center Sept. 26-30 (no show on Sept. 28). Tickets cost 10,000-100,000 won. Call (02) 586-5282.
Organizers said that precautions against Influenza A are being taken, including checking the health of the opera cast and crew. Seoul Arts Center provides antibacterial hand liquid around the venue.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
