By Lee Hyo-won
Staff reporter
It was like watching the highlights of an entire season at the New York Metropolitan Opera ― all in one sitting in the heart of Seoul.
``What might have been just a routine revival of Franco Zeffirelli's extravagant 1998 production of Verdi's `Traviata’ turned out to be an affecting performance thanks to the inspired work of two South Korean-born artists,’’ the New York Times wrote of soprano Hong Hei-kyung and tenor Kim Woo-kyung’s appearance in the Met’s 2007 production. It was the first time that both the lead female and male roles were played by Asian artists.
The two valued singers treated local fans to an unforgettable operatic aria buffet ranging from Verdi and Puccini to Mozart, Gounot and Bizet.
The duo undertook the full power vocal program without prelude or interlude breaks. The Korean audience, perhaps in part due to the red pepper-heavy diet, are a passionate and unabashedly honest batch. They know what they like and aren’t afraid to show it, and always ask for more. The crowd at the Seoul Arts Center performance last Friday seemed to belong more at a rock concert, as concertgoers squeezed every last drop out of the duo’s musical juices. In response, the singers offered a total of seven encores, and to boot, a long autograph session.
The crowd cheered as Hong and Kim transformed effortlessly from the femme fatale Carmen and her Don Jose to the sultry Violetta and her free-spirited lover Alfredo, in solo arias and theatrical duets.
The musical chemistry between Hong, sexier than ever in her form-fitting evening gown at age 49, and the budding 33-year-old Kim was palpable. Hong dominated the stage with her graceful poise and poignant phrasing, and exhibited more charisma and confidence as the evening continued. Kim, robust, healthy and energetic, showed why he is a singer to watch out for. Moreover, one cannot forget the sensitive, tasteful accompaniment by Romanian pianist Vlad Iftinca that allowed the vocals to shine.
But the best performances are the ones where you cannot clap. Well not right away at least, because you become so entranced by the beauty that the act seems almost blasphemous. In her affecting rendition of Puccini’s ``Vissi d’arte,’’ Hong was not only Tosca but herself as she seemed to reflect on her colorful career, ``I lived for art, I lived for love.’’ Not a single noise was to be heard as Kim offered a haunting rendition of ``Ah, la paterna mano’’ from Verdi’s ``Macbeth.’’
The couple will continue their recital tour Tuesday at Ulsan Hyundai Arts Center and on Friday at Daegu’s Suseong Artpia. Call (02) 516-3963.