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.

Paavo Jarvi & Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Seoul Arts Center*

June 11

Germany’s traditional orchestra 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 and orchestral pieces and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. U.S. violinist Hillary Hahn will collaborate in this concert. Hahn has recorded the work for Sony Classical in a CD coupled with the Shostokovich concerto. Tickets cost 50,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Daniel Muller-Schott Cello Recital

Seoul Arts Center*

June 5

German cellist Daniel Muller-Schott will hold his first recital in Korea 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 and has earned much acclaim at a young age. Tickets cost 70,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.daniel-mueller-schott.com.

Soprano Mojca Erdmann Recital

Seoul Arts Center*

June 4

Soprano Mojca Erdmann is a German Soprano star who was dubbed the “most beautiful voice during summer” in 2010 at the Salzburg Festival. The concert program includes Mozart and Mendelssohn’s German lied and operatic arias. Piano accompaniment will be by Gerold Huber. Tickets cost 90,000 to 110,000 won. For info, call (02) 599-5743.

Big Tickets

Jason Mraz Live in Busan

Busan BEXCO

June 8

Jason Mraz, a Grammy award winning singer and songwriter, is performing in Korea. Mraz has sold over 20 million copies just in Korea, and has maintained his place as Korea’s most loved pop star for years. He released his new album “Love Is a Four Letter Word” on April 17. Tickets cost 110,000 to 126,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Centum City station on Busan subway line 2. For more information, call (051) 740-7320.

2012 b vocal Concert

Seoul Arts Center*

June 9-10

A Spanish a cappella group “b vocal” in 2010 won the “A Cappella Competition of Harmony Sweepstakes.” The following year, the group earned the “Best A Cappella Group” by New York Broadway in 2011. During this concert, “b vocal” will sing world famous hit songs and opera music such as “Dancing Queen,” “Staying Alive,” “Sir Duke,” “Yesterday,” and “Handel and Rossini’s Opera Arias.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 523-5391.

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 more information, call (02) 332-3277.

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 folk song “Arirang.” Visitors can also see how the song is used and celebrated in North Korea. 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

This is a great chance to see the arrival of ancient remains from Egypt. 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. Closed on Mondays. Located near Hwajeon Station on Gyeongui line then walk for 5 minutes. For more information, call (02) 300-0466.

Pop & Jazz

Yoon Sang Reboot Concert

COEX Auditorium

June 2-3

Yoon Sang is a notable singer and songwriter known as a “musician’s musician” in Korea. He is also one of the judges of a singing competition program, Star Audition. He was an iconic singer in the ’70s and ’80s, and still remains as a respected artist today. This concert will be his first solo concert in three years. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Patti Kim Last Global Tour Concert

Olympic Park*

June 2nd

Patti Kim began her music career on the stage of an American Army base in Korea in 1958, and she is putting a stop sign to her long music journey this coming June. Her performances, especially “Passion” in 2012, were incredibly creative and fascinating. She will be visiting her fans one last time with the theme “Farewell”. Be a part of her final performance in Seoul. Tickets cost 77,000 to 14,3000 won. For more information, call (02) 518- 8586.

Song Young-joo New York Quartet: Tale of a City Second Story

Mapo Art Center

June 9

Song Young-joo is a well known jazz pianist. After spending time collaborating with many recognized artists in New York, she is finally making her comeback to Seoul. Her album, “Tale of a City,” received the best performing musician award. For this year’s concert, she will be performing with a saxophonist Joshua Redman. Tickets cost 35,000 to 65,000 won. For more information, call 02-3274-8600.

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.

Busker Busker: Youth Bus

Yonsei University Centennial Hall

May 4-6

Having climbed to second place on “Superstar K Season 3,” the trio “Busker Busker” is holding their first concert. Their hit songs, “Cherry Blossom Ending” and “Yeosu Night Sea,” which are currently on top of the music charts, will be performed live with the theme “Youth Bus”. Tickets cost 77,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Jazz UP Your Soul

Olympic Park*

May 19-20

George Benson, Eric Benet, Al Di Meola, Lee Ssang and many more notable artists will be performing their hits live this May. The concert will be an outdoor performance without specific seating. The artists will be different on both days, for a variety of singers of many genres that fit the audience’s numerous music tastes. Tickets cost 99,000 to 17,800 won. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station subway line number 5. For more information, call (02) 563-0595.

Dance

Swan Lake

Chungmu Art Hall

May 4-6

Korea National Ballet presents “Swan Lake” to celebrate family month in May. Set to the passionate music of Russian master composer Tchaikovsky, the work has been one of the favorites for ballet fans. 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.

La Dame aux Camelias with Kang Sue-jin, Stuttgart Ballet

Sejong Arts Center*

June 16-17

The 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. 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. For more, call 1544-1555.

Plays & Musicals

Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Anderson Family

Sookmyung Art Center Theater S

Through May 13

“Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Anderson Family” earned the best musical title 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. Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 10 of Sookmyung University Station on subway line 4. For information, 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” is on stage in Korea through June 10. The musical was introduced on Broadway in 2011 and was nominated for four 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.

Lovers in Paris

D-Cube Art Center

Through May 30

A new musical “Lovers in Paris,” which is based on SBS soap opera of the same name, will go on stage amid high expectations. Kang Tae-young, a wannabe movie director, meets Yoon Su-hyuk and Han Gi-joo in Paris. After returning to Seoul, Tae-young bumps into Gi-joo again and the two fall in love but conflict ensues. Tickets cost 40,000 to 110,000 won. For information, call 1577-3363.

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.

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 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.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.