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
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 and 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, call (02) 599-5743.
Daniel Muller-Schott Cello Recital
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
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.
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
Lady Gaga: The Born This Way Ball
Olympic Park*
April 27
Lady Gaga is one of the most popular pop stars in the world and equally influential as the person with the highest number of followers on Twitter at 20 million. Her songs “Poker face,” “Papparazzi” and “Born This Way” were very successful and she has a legion of local fans. Tickets cost 44,000 to 125,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.
2012 b vocal Concert
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
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.
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. Closed on Mondays. Located near Hwajeon Station on Gyeongui line then walk for 5 minutes. For more information, call (02) 300-0466.
Boney M Live Concert
Sejong Arts Center*
April 21
With a history that spans 35 years on the stage, Boney M, a popular music group will perform in Seoul. Liz Mitchelle, an original member and lead vocal has prepared to meet Korean fans. Boney M’s hit songs include “Sunny,” “Rivers to Babylon,” and “Happy Song.” Live concerts will also be held in Busan, Daegu and Daejeon. Tickets cost 60,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 522-1790.
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 was an iconic singer in the ’70s and ’80s, but 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.
Song Young-joo New York Quartet: Tale of a city 2nd 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’
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
Local 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 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.
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.
La Dame aux Camelias with Kang Sue-jin, Stuttgart Ballet
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.
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. As soon as Holmes begins trying to solve the 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 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. Located near exit 2 of Sindorim Station on subway line 2. For information, call 1577-3363.
Elisabeth
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
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.