Classical concerts

Pianist Paul Lewis Recital
Seongnam Arts Center* (See ‘Venues’ on right for more information)
April 23

British pianist Paul Lewis will hold his Korean debut recital. As a renowned specialist of Franz Schubert, he will perform the composer’s “Piano Sonata No. 15 in C major, D. 840” and “Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major, D. 850.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (031) 783-8000.

Ennio Morricone 50th Anniversary
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
May 16-18

Ennio Morricone will kick off celebrations for the 50th anniversary of his debut as a composer with three concerts in Seoul. The prolific composer is best known for cinema music scores for “Mission”and “Cinema Paradiso.” He will conduct orchestral scores featuring solos by soprano Susanna Rigaci and pianist Gilda Butta. Tickets cost 40,000 to 220,000 won. Call (02) 332-3277 for bookings in English.

2011 Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*, Seoul Arts Center,* etc.
May 10-22

Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music, which was launched in 2006 under the auspices of Seoul City, has become one of the region’s top classical music events. Under the theme “Pianissimo,” the festival will showcase a variety of piano pieces including those featuring dance and the pianoforte, the 18th-century predecessor to the modern instrument. Tickets cost 10,000 to 40,000 won. For more information call (02) 720-3933.

2011 SSF Fringe Festival
Seoul Station, National Museum of Korea, etc.
May 3-11

Ahead of the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music (SSF), the 4th SSF Fringe Festival will turn the entire city into a music hall. Amateur musicians, including students currently studying music, will perform everywhere around town, from Seoul Station to the National Museum of Korea. Performances are free of charge. Seoul Station is located on subway lines 1 and 4. For more information visit www.seoulspring.org.

Opera ‘Tosca’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Through April 24

The Seoul Metropolitan Opera stages Puccini’s melodramatic opera. Mark Gibson, who has performed with the New York City Opera, conducts the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets cost 20,000 to 120,000 won. For more information call (02) 399-1783.

Kumho Musical Instrument Series
Kumho Art Hall
Through April 28 (every Thursday)

Up-and-coming young violinist Song Ji-won is the first to grace the stage first in the Kumho Musical Instrument Series. All five featured artists are beneficiaries of the Kumho Musical Instrument Bank, which the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation launched in 1993. The program lends high-quality antique instruments to talented players that are selected through auditions. Tickets cost 8,000 (with student ID) to 30,000 won. Located near exit 7 at Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02) 6303-7700.


Big Tickets

Angela Gheorghiu Concert in Korea
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
April 27

Superstar soprano Angela Gheorghiu will hold a recital with tenor Marius Brenciu. She will perform arias including “O Soave Fanciulla” from Puccini’s “La Boheme” and “Un Bel Divedremo” from Madame Butterfly, among others. Music will be played by the Korean Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ion Marin. Tickets cost 70,000 to 220,000 won. For more information call (02) 541-2512.

Maroon 5 Concert
Seoul Olympic Gymnastic Stadium and Busan KBS Hall
May 25, 26

A pop band with an international following including many Korean fans, Maroon 5 will hold concerts in both Seoul and Busan. The band will present tracks from its third studio album “Hands All Over” in the performance, which is the 14th of Hyundai Card’s Super Concert series. Tickets cost 77,000 to 121,000 won. Seoul Olympic Gymnastic Stadium is located near exit 3 at Olympic Park Station on subway line 5 and Busan KBS Hall is located near exit 2 at Namcheon Station on subway line 2 in Busan. For more information call (02) 501-7888.

Insooni’s ‘Fantasia’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
May 7-8

Pop diva Insooni, loved by teens to senior citizens, will perform tracks from her 17th album “Fantasia.” The concert, titled “Fantasy Room,” will showcase the power vocalist’s knack for dance and drama, transforming the acts into something of a glitzy Broadway performance. Tickets cost 44,000 to 165,000 won. For more information call 1600-1716.

Varekai, Cirque du Soleil
Big Top Theater, Jamsil Stadium
Through May 29

The third visit of Cirque du Soleil to Korea, “Varekai,” is performed with vivid stage effects, music and stories of Icarus from Greek mythology. This exotic fusion of drama and acrobatics consist of 14 circus shows that go beyond one’s expectations. Tickets cost 60,000 to 220,000 won. Located near exit 5 and 6 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information call (02) 541-6235.

Sumi Jo & Academy of Ancient Music
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
May 7

Star soprano Sumi Jo will offer the hallmarks of baroque music with Britain’s period music ensemble the Academy Of Ancient Music, under the direction of conductor Richard Egarr. The program features Handel’s “Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 2” and “Sonata A5” among others. Tickets cost 50,000 to 250,000 won. Call (02) 741-1763 or 1577-5266 for more information.


Museums

Tea, Incense, and Carrying the Soul: Longquan Ware from the Sinan Wreck
National Museum of Korea
Through June 19

The exhibition showcases the time-honored beauty of Longquan wares recovered from the Sinan shipwreck from March 22 to June 19 at the Sinan Shipwreck Collection Room in the Asia Gallery. It features approximately 90 pieces of Longquan ware, including 20 that have never before been shown to the public. The museum focuses on not only its rare collection of Chinese artifacts but also various offshoot cultures. For more information call (02) 2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.

Venice Glass Fantasia
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Through May 29

The exhibition is among events featured in the Sejong Center’s Creative Visual Art Festival. Works by world-famous Italian glassmakers from Murano Island, Venice, are on display. Visitors can admire contemporary works by Pino Signorett as well as traditional ones by artists of the Schiavon family. Italian glass art is different from that of northern Europe, since it features blowing techniques rather than carvings. Tickets cost 4,000 to 8,000 won. For more information call (02) 2289-5401.


Pop & Jazz

Wednesday Jazz
Puccini Bar, Seoul Arts Center*
Through July 6
Seoul Arts Center is hosting free concerts every Wednesday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. through July 6. Innovative pianist Kim Ga-on and his friends will showcase jazzy tunes on the orange grand piano at the Opera Theater’s Puccini Bar, providing a sweet lunch break to Seoulites. Performances are free of charge. For more information call (02) 580-1300.

Keith Jarrett
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
June 2

Jazz pianist Keith Jarrett will hold a solo concert. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, he has surprised fans and musicians alike with an ever-evolving approach to music, and is expected to delight the local audience with an evening of eclectic improvisations on the keyboard. Tickets cost 50,000 to 180,000 won. Call (02) 399-1114 for more information.

Seoul Jazz Festival 2011
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
May 10-11

A special jazz concert invites fans of the genre to witness the fantastic collaboration between guitarist Pat Metheny and friends — Gary Burton on vibraphone, Steve Swallow playing bass, and Antonio Sanchez on drums. Tickets cost 66,000 to 165,000 won. For more information call (02) 563-0595.

Avril Lavigne’s ‘The Black Star Tour’
AX-Hall
May 5

Singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne will hold a concert in Seoul, which follows the recent release of her fourth album “Goodbye Lullaby” on March 8. Loved for hit numbers such as “Sk8er Boi,” “Complicated” and “I’m With You,” Lavigne is expected to showcase powerful vocals. Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 at Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02) 512-6706.

Mr. Big Concert
AX-Hall
May 8

Mr. Big will tour Seoul to promote its latest album “What If.” Much of the album theme is about going back to basics with analogue-style music and features the original band members — guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Pat Torpey and vocalist Eric Martin. Tickets cost 110,000 won. Located near exit 2 at Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02) 3141-3488.


Dance

Prince Hodong
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center*
April 22-24

The Korea National Ballet Company will stage the dramatic story of “Prince Hodong.” Based on an ancient Korean legend, the ballet traces the star-crossed romance between Princess Nak-rang and Prince Hodong of warring kingdoms. Featuring original choreography by Kook Su-ho and Moon Byung-nam, the piece is loved for its combination of modern techniques and timeless themes. Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. Call (02) 587-6181 for more information.

Carmina Burana & B-boy
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
May 14

B-boy team Gambler Crew, which won the 2003 and 2009 editions of Battle of the Year, will give Carl Orff’s classic German cantata “Carmina Burana” a contemporary cross-genre spin. O Se-jong will conduct while soprano Kim Soo-yeon, tenor Kim Dal-jin and baritone Han Myeong-won will perform the cantata. Ticket costs 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 399-1779.

Blue Lady
LG Arts Center*
June 9-10

“Blue Lady,”which featured in the 2008 Lyon Dance Biennale, makes its way to Seoul. Famous French art director Carolyn Carlson of CCN Roubaix choreographed the work featuring the Finish dancer Tero Saarinen. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 2005-0114.

Plays & Musicals

The Count of Monte Cristo
Grand Theater, Chungmu Art Hall
Through April 24

Frank Wildhorn’s musical “The Count of Monte Cristo” returns to the stage with a star-studded cast. Celebrated musical stars Ryu Jung-han, Shin Sung-rok and Um Ki-joon perform in this Korean rendition. Tickets cost 50,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 9, 10 of Shindang Station on subway lines 2 and 6. For more information call (02) 6391-6333.

Audition
Art-one Theater
May 3-July 24

Korea’s first homegrown concert musical “Audition” has been a steady seller in Daehangno, and will be restaged featuring a new cast and setting. Moon Hee-jun, former member of K-pop group H.O.T. will star in this story about youths pursuing their dreams. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2. For more information call (02)762-0010.

Hedwig
KT&G SangSang Art Hall
May 14-Aug. 21

The rock musical “Hedwig” will hit the stage. The story is about a failed transgender rock singer from East Germany and the main cast features musical actors Choi Jae-woong and Jo Jung-seok as well as pop group Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan and screen star Kim Jae-wook. Tickets cost 50,000 to 65,000 won. Located near exit 2 at Samsung Station on subway line 2. For more information call 1544-1555.

Jekyll & Hyde
Charlotte Theater
Through Aug. 15

Based on the novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, the musical “Jekyll & Hyde” is on stage until May. The Broadway musical is a proven quality show with the casting of musical star Cho Seung-woo. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2. For more information call 1644-0078.