Classical Concerts

Legendary I Musici 60th

Seoul Arts Center*

June 15

I Musici is an Italian chamber orchestra first formed in Rome in 1952. To mark its 60th anniversary, I Musici will tour the world, highlighting their best for the audience. The chamber consists of 6 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, and one double bass. They mainly perform works from the Baroque period, particularly Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni. Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

Gidon Kremer & Kremerata Baltica

Seoul Arts Center*

Oct. 16

Gidon Kremer, a Latvian violinist and conductor, will perform with Kremerata Baltica, a chamber orchestra he founded that consists of young musicians from Baltic countries. The chamber orchestra won a Grammy Award in 2002 in Classical Music for recording Mozart.” They are returning to Korea after three years for a performance that will be a mixture of contemporary musical melodies and classical repertoire. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

Dancing Through the Centuries

Alpensia Concert Hall

July 26 - Aug. 5

“Dancing Through the Centuries” is a show to be held in the midst of nature. Two renowned sisters of classical music, cellist Chung Myung-hwa and violinist Chung Kyung-hwa, explore the relationship between human nature and music to foster the best performance. It is assessed to be one of the greatest Korean music festivals held in Gangwon Province. Tickets cost 40,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 725-3394.

Big Tickets

The Fantasia: 2012 Insooni Concert

Uijeongbu Sports Stadium

June 23

Insooni is one of the most recognized singers in Korea. After debuting nearly 30 years ago the diva has released a total of 19 albums and has even performed at Carnegie Hall. Known for her rich and distinguished voice, Insooni won first place with her inspirational and extraordinary performance of the song “Father” on the program “I Am a Singer.” Tickets cost 66,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1688-5246.

Ocean of White

Ilsan KINTEX

July 21

A Heineken-sponsored concert, “Sensation” began in Amsterdam in 2000 and has finally made its way to Korea. The concert will fill 8 hours with stage shows, laser beams and dance performances. DJs include Mr. White, Funkagenda and many more to light up the night until dawn. Standing room only. Tickets cost 125,000 to 180,000. For more information call 1544-1555 or visit www.heinekein.com/kr.

2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival

Jisan Forest Resort

July 27-29

The best of the best rock bands, Radiohead, Owl City, The Stone Roses, Bread Eye, and many more will be performing at Jisan Forest Resort. In impressive line-ups, the most renowned artists from Korea and the world will play their most popular hit songs. Tickets cost 225,000 won. For more information, call 1577- 3363, or visit www.valleyrockfestival.com.

UMF Korea

Olympic Stadium*

Aug. 3-4

The biggest party on earth, the world’s premiere electronic music festival, is coming to Asia for the first time. The festival will be held with musicians who are topping the charts, like Steve Aoki, Clazziquai, Tokyo Big Boy, Tiesto, and many more. Tickets cost 110,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3471-8957 or visit www.umfkorea.com.

Museums

Seoul in Rossetti’s Eyes

Seoul Museum of History

Through July 1

Carlo Rossetti was an Italian diplomat who came to Korea 110 years ago at the age of twenty six. Despite his short stay of only 200 days, he left a number of footprints in Seoul. The exhibition displays numerous photographs Rossetti took in Korea and with Koreans. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 724-0274 or visit www.museum.seoul.kr.

The Civilization of Turkey: Emperors in Istanbul

National Museum of Korea

Through Sept. 2

Turkey is a nation where traditions of the East and the West coexist, as a religions and cultures from both sides have settled and flourished there. The exhibition will display relics from the 3000 B.C. Anatolian civilization to the 19th century Ottoman Empire. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Located near exit 2, Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information (02)2077-9000 or visit www.istanbul2012.co.kr.

Korean Art from the United States

National Museum of Korea

Through Aug. 5

The National Museum of Korea brings some major Korean artwork from museums in the United States such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The exhibition will feature artwork, including paintings from the Goryeo Kingdom that have never been seen by the Korean public. The exhibition will explore how Korean culture was introduced overseas. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

Busker Busker

Olympic Park*

June 22-23

The runner-up winner on “Superstar K Season 3,” celebrated trio band Busker Busker is holding their second concert. Their hit songs, “Cherry Blossom Ending” and “Yeosu Night Sea,” which are currently at the top on music charts, will be performed live under the theme “Youth Bus.” Tickets cost 77,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Fourplay

June 28- 29

Blue Square

Fourplay, a contemporary jazz quartet from the United States, will perform for Korean fans. The Grammy-nominated group received the Congressional Record from the U.S. congress, distinguishing it in the music industry. Fourplay seeks to limitlessly touch all dimensions of musical appreciation through jazz. Tickets cost 88,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 830-6106.

LeeSsang Season 2

Olympic Park*

July 14-15

LeeSsang, a popular Korean hip-hop duo will collaborate with many recognized artists including rapper-singer Yoon Mi-rae, and singers Big Mama and Hwayobi. The duo has released a total of seven albums to date. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Wouter Hamel - The Best of Concert

Hongdae V-Hall

June 20

Wouter Hamel, a pop jazz artist from the Netherlands, will be performing in Hongdae. After winning the Dutch Jazz Vocal Competition, Hamel received significant attention from the music industry and after releasing “Breezy” in Japan, he took over top charts in East Asia. It wasn’t long before he had legions of loyal Korean fans for his catchy tunes and handsome features. All seats are standing. Tickets cost 66,000. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Dance

Romeo and Juliet

Seoul Arts Center*

July 7-14

Local ballet fans can soon watch Kenneth MacMillan’s most dramatic and thought-out ballet performance in Romeo and Juliet. Universal Ballet, which is the most recognized ballet group in Korea, will stage the heartbreaking love story. The audience will be inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic romance in dance form. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

La Dame aux Camelias with Kang Sue-jin and the 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. La Dame, premiered in 1978 with the company in its hometown. Set to the music by Frederic Chopin and based on the 1848 novel of Alexandre Dumas, this famed story also 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

Mozart!

Sejong Center

July 10-28

Originally written in German,“Mozart!”the musical was premiered in Austria in October 1999. The Korean rendition, first held in 2010, also portrays the struggles and hardships of the world famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Korean production was chosen as the best musical work in 2011. Tickets cost 30,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

La Cage aux Folles

LG Arts Center

July 4-Sept. 4

The musical based on Harvey Fierstein’s award-winning novel revolves around a gay couple with complicated circumstances. Georges is a nightclub manager and his partner is Albin and the comedy unfolds when Georges’ son, Jean-Michel visits them. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

Wicked

Blue Square Musical Hall

Through June 30

Broadway blockbuster “Wicked”debuted in 2003 and is based on “The Wizard of Oz.” It is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and details the relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North, and showing unexpected new sides to both characters. It is being staged for the first time in Korea with the original cast. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call 1577-3363.

Musical Hairspray

Chungmu Art Hall

Through Aug. 5

Based on the 1988 film “Hairspray,” the plot of the musical revolves around a teenager who dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.” When she wins the opportunity to do so, she becomes a celebrity overnight. The successful musical won a total of 11 awards, including Best New Musical. Tickets cost 20,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02)2230-6601.

Man of La Mancha

Charlotte Lotte Theater

Through Oct. 7

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century masterpiece, “Don Quixote,” this memorable musical is based on Dale Wasserman’s book “Man of La Mancha.” It is a well known Broadway musical that won 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Award. The Classic song “The Impossible Dream” is the theme song. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Poongwallju

Culture Space NU

Through July 29

“Poongwallju,” means master of wind and the moon, and it is a homegrown musical about two men and a woman during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.). Instead of traditional costumes, actors wear simple, modern black clothes to portray a love triangle involving Yeol, a charismatic male “gisaeng,” or Korean courtesan, his dearest friend Sa-dam and Queen Jinseong, who has everything except for the man she loves. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.