Classical Concerts

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Seoul Arts Center*
May 27

Led by Jonathan Cohen, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields will perform in Seoul. Founded in 1959, the orchestra has performed in elite venues all over the world. The ensemble’s name comes from the church located near Trafalgar Square, London. Pianist Son Yeol-eum will collaborate in this concert. Tickets cost 40,000 to 160,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Lorin Maazel & London’s Philharmonia Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center*
April 7-8

The Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor Lorin Maazel will visit Korea for the second time. Based in London, the Philharmonia Orchestra has collaborated with numerous artists for over 60 years. Maazel is an American conductor who also composes and plays the violin. The orchestra will perform Gustav Mahler’s symphonies No. 1 and 5. Tickets cost 70,000 to 250,000 won. For information and reservations, call (02) 541-3183.

Paavo Jarvi & Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center*
June 11

Germany’s traditional orchestra, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (FRSO) was founded in 1929 and Paavo Jarvi has been conducting the orchestra since 2006. With a wide-ranging musical style, the orchestra is among the best in Europe and consistently earns international acclaim. The program includes symphony orchestral pieces and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. U.S. violinist Hillary Hahn will collaborate in this concert. Tickets cost 50,000 to 220,000 won. For more information and reservations, please call (02) 599-5743.

Daniel Muller-Schott Cello Recital
Seoul Arts Center*
June 5

German cellist Daniel Muller-Schott holds his first recital with a concert program including Bach Suite No. 2 in D minor, Britten ‘s Suite No. 3, and Bach Suite No. 3 in C major. Muller-Schott was born in 1976, in Munich. Tickets cost 70,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.daniel-mueller-schott.com.

Big Tickets

Dream Theater concert tour ’A Dramatic Tour of Events’
Olympic Park*
April 19

Heavy metal band Dream Theater are holding their 2012 Asian concert tour to promote their 11th album “A Dramatic Turn of Events” released in September last year. One of the songs from their album was nominated at 2011 Grammy Awards. For the concert’s opener the group will perform “The Dream Is Collapsing,” which was featured in the movie “Inception.” Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information and reservations, please call (02) 3141-3488.

LMFAO Live in Seoul
Olympic Park*
April 7

LMFAO, the world famous electro pop duo, will visit Korea for the first time this year at Olympic Park on April 7. They were nominated at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in the “best dance and electronic album” category. The band also developed new music genre called “party rock.” Tickets cost 88,000 to 121,000 won. For more information and reservations, call (02) 323-2838. For English booking, send an e-mail to info@vuent.co.kr.

Morrissey Live in Seoul
AX Korea
May 6

British rock star Morrissey will perform in Seoul. Morrissey fronted legendary band “The Smiths” with Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce. After recovering from a throat illness, in 2004, Morrissey released a solo album “You Are the Quarry.” Since then, he has been enjoying his second era of “golden days.” Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 332-3277.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Live in Seoul
AX Korea
May 28

British rock star Noel Gallagher will perform in Korea. Until 2009, Gallagher was a member of English rock band “Oasis.” Producer George Martin praised him as “one of the finest songwriters of his generation.” Last October, he released his first solo album, “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.” Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For information, call (02) 332-3277.

Lady Gaga: The Born This Way Ball
Olympic Park*
April 27
Lady Gaga is one of the most popular pop stars in the world. Her songs “Poker face,” “Papparazzi” and “Born This Way” are especially popular among local fans. Tickets cost 44,000 to 125,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Museums

Arirang
The National Folk Museum of Korea
Through May 21

The National Folk Museum of Korea presents “Arirang.” The exhibition showcases various regional versions of the song “Arirang.” Free Admission. Located near exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station or exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 3704-3114.

Tutankhamen: His Tomb and His Treasures
Gwacheon National Science Museum
Through May 31

A great chance to see ancient remains from Egypt has arrived. Excavated by English archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter, King Tut’s mummy will be on display in Korea. Over 1,300 relics have been restored. Visitors can see Tutankhamen’s tomb and many treasures. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Closed on Mondays. Located near exit 5 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 3677-1435.

Toward the Sky
Korea Aerospace Museum
Open Run

The exhibition includes “Experience Zone,” “Aerospace Historical Zone,” and “Future Aerospace Zone.” Visitors have an opportunity to feel and watch aerospace industry. Tickets cost 2,500 won. Group discounts are also available. Closed on Mondays. Located near Hwajeon Station on Gyeongui line then walk for 5 minutes. For more information, call (02) 300-0466.

Pop & Jazz

Lenny Kravitz: Audi Live 2012
Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium
April 13

Invited by Audi Korea, Lenny Kravitz will hold his first concert in Korea. He is one of the iconic figures in rock with over 35 million in album sales worldwide. He has earned four Grammy Awards in the rock section. Kravitz’s songs “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way” are popular in Korea. For this year’s concert, eight band members will collaborate with Kravitz. Tickets cost 88,000 to 165,000 won. For information, call 1544-1555.

Musiq Soulchild Live in Seoul ’Musiq in the Magiq’
AX Korea
May 11

A new music genre called “neo soul” has been emerging since 2000. Musiq Soulchild is a leader of neo soul which has found fans worldwide. Soulchild’s hits include “For the Night,” “LOVE,” “If U Leave,” “ Buddy,” “Half Crazy,” and “Who Knows.” Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 3143-5156.

K.Will: I Need You
Olympic Park*
April 21

Vocalist K.Will will hold a national tour from March 24 to April 21. This is his first national tour and the singer will promote his recently released third mini album, after having proved his vocal ability and popularity on TV programs. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

NELL Comeback Concert ’The Lines’
Olympic Park*
April 14-15

After a four year break, popular local vocal group NELL will take the stage again coinciding with the release of a new album. The concert is an opportunity to hear their hit songs such as “Stay.” Tickets cost 88,000 to 99,000 won. For info, call (02) 3472-9321.

Dance

Swan Lake
Chungmu Art Hall
May 4-6

Korea National Ballet presents “Swan Lake” to celebrate family month in May. Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette promise to marry. However, an evil genius attempts to destroy their love. Tickets cost 20,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 9 or 10 of Sindang Station on subway line 2 or 6. For more informaton, call (02) 2230-6613 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.

La Dame aux Camelias with Kang Sue-jin, Stuttgart Ballet
Sejong Arts Center*
June 16-17

Stuttgart Ballet, Germany’s first and one of the world’s premier companies, will bring the iconic ballet by John Neumeier “La Dame aux Camelias,” with famed Korean ballerina Kang Sue-jin in the lead and Marguerite Gautier and its Dutch principal Marijn Rademaker as Armand Duval. “Dame,” premiered in 1978 with the company in its hometown and has since become one of the dance world’s beloved standards. Set to the music from Frederic Chopin and based on the 1848 novel of Alexandre Dumas that gave birth to the Giuseppe Verdi opera “La Traviata,” it follows the love arc between a courtesan and a provincial bourgeois. Tickets cost 50,000 to 250,000 won. Call 1544-1555.

Universal Ballet’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Through April 8

Presented by Universal Ballet, “Sleeping Beauty” is a classic fairy tale brought to life with all the aspects of romance and graceful dance. Princess Aurora falls asleep due to a curse. Prince Desire kisses Aurora and eventually they get married. “Sleeping Beauty” is based on Charles Perrault’s “La Belle au Bois Dormant” and the music was composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Anderson Family
Sookmyung Art Center Theater S
Through May 13

“Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Anderson Family” earned best musical at the 17th Korean Musical Awards. In late 19th-century London, a woman named Lucy Johnson disappears on Christmas Eve. Fifteen days later, the Anderson family visits the office of Sherlock Holmes to ask him to find Lucy Johnson. As soon as Holmes tries to solve case, the Anderson family members die one by one. Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 10 of Sookmyung University Station on subway line 4. For info, call (02) 715-8358.

Catch Me If You Can
Blue Square
Through June 10

Based on Steven Spielberg’s movie, the musical “Catch Me If You Can” will be on stage in Korea from March 28 to June 10. The musical was introduced on Broadway in 2011 and has been nominated at the Tony Awards. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hanganjin Station on subway line 6. For information, call 1544-159.

Elisabeth
Blue Square
Through May 13

Viennese musical “Elisabeth” will be presented at the Blue Square Theater. With music by Sylvester Levay and script and lyrics by Michael Kunze, the story revolves around famous Austrian Empress Elisabeth Sissi. Tickets cost 30,000 to 150,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For info, call (02) 6391-6333.

Return to Hamlet
Dongsoong Art Center
Through April 8

Directed by Korean movie director Jang Jin, the play “Return to Hamlet” is being staged at Dongsoong Art Center through April 8. The play is not Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” but director Jang’s own version with characters in the Shakespearean play. Tickets range from 30,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 766-6007.

Doctor Zhivago
Charlotte Theater
Through June 3

New musical “Doctor Zhivago” will be staged in Korea for the first time. Based on Boris Pasternak’s novel, the story revolves around Yuri Zhivago’s life and love during the 1917 Russian Revolution. The Korean production presents musical actor Hong Kwang-ho and Cho Seung-woo alternating in the lead role of Zhivago. For more information, call 1588-5212.

Wicked
Blue Square
May 31-June 30

Popular blockbuster Broadway musical “Wicked” will be staged in Korea for the first time. Since making its debut on Broadway in 2003, the musical has topped the box office for nine years. The musical deals with untold stories before “The Wizard of Oz.” Elphaba, a green witch of the Western sky, and Glenda, a nice witch, used to be best friends. However, their friendship sours as they struggle through love, friendships and conspiracies. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hanganjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call 1577-3363.