Classical concerts

The Masters Series of the KBS Symphony Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center* (See ‘Venues’* on right for more information)
July 8

The KBS Symphony Orchestra will perform with world-famous British cellist Steven Isserlis, who is known as a philosophical artist. The program features “Cello Concerto No. 2” by Russian modern composer D. Kavalevsky. Isserlis will use his 1726 Stradivarius cello. Tickets cost 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information call (02) 781-2243.

Asia Philharmonic Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center*
July 31

Maestro Chung Myung-whun, musical director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, launched the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra in 1997 to invite musicians from different Asian countries to the symphony. He will conduct the ensemble for Beethoven’s symphony no. 7 and Brahms’ symphony no. 1. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information call (02) 547-5694.

Ha Sung-ho and Seoul Pops ‘Fun Fun Orchestra’
Seoul Arts Center*
July 20

The Seoul Pops Orchestra aims to go beyond the conventions of classical concerts under the direction of its principle conductor Ha Sung-ho. This concert will comprise of a diverse range of popular songs newly arranged for the orchestra, such as “All I Ask of You” from “The Phantom of the Opera” and numbers from the musical “Mamma Mia.” Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information call (02) 593-8760.

Opera ‘Gianni Schicchi’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Through July 10

The Seoul Metropolitan Opera will stage Gianni Schicchi, a comic opera composed in 1917-18 by Giacomo Puccini. Lee Kyung-jae, a young director known for truthful and academic interpretations, will direct the opera. This version is only 70 minutes long, and the story unfolds at a quick pace. Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 399-1783.

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Seoul Arts Center*
July 14

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, will hold a recital at the Seoul Arts Center. Stephen Cleobury will conduct the group. The program is divided into two thematic parts: the first one focuses on nature-inspired pieces such as Benjamin Britten’s “Five Flower Songs.” while the second focuses on classics such as Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information call (02) 599-5743.

Dresden Philharmonic Children’s Choir Performance in Korea
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
July 15

The Dresden Philharmonic Children’s Choir, a elite children’s choir established in 1967, will take the stage. This performance will give the audience a chance to listen to various songs, from German pieces to Korean ones. The Seoul Metropolitan Junior Chorus will join the German singers. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114~6.

Big Tickets

YB Band ‘Youth: Back to Basics’
Olympic Park*
July 22-23

YB Band, led by Yoon Do-hyun, fetes its 16th anniversary with a concert titled “Youth: Back to Basics” to show their determination to maintain youthful verve and originality. For the occasion Steranko, a British rock band which has been performing with YB in Europe since 2005, will appear on stage as a guest and introduce classic British rock songs. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information call (02) 541-7110.

Daniel Barenboim & WEDO Beethoven Symphony Cycle
Seoul Arts Center*
Aug 10, 11, 12 and 14

Maestro Daniel Barenboim will lead the West Eastern Divan Orchestra for a special four-part series of concerts featuring the full Beethoven symphony cycle. The master pianist-turned-conductor will showcase all nine symphonies by the German composer. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information call (02) 318-4301.

Korea Opera Festival
Seoul Arts Center*
Through July 24

The Korea National Opera team and other top local troupes are holding the 2nd edition of the festival, featuring select works. The lineup includes classic Italian pieces such as Bellini’s “The Puritans” and Puccini’s “Tosca,”as well as two homegrown operas gae” and “Memil-kkot-pil-muryup.” Family audiences can also see the children-friendly show “Siegfried’s Sword.” Tickets cost 20,000 to 150,000 won. For more information call (02) 586-5282, (063) 288-6807, (054) 453- 9926.

2011 Kim Yeon-woo Live Tour
Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park (Seoul)
Through Aug. 27

Ballad singer Kim Yeon-woo will kick off a concert tour in Seoul (June 24-26) before moving on to Daejeon, Busan, Suwon, Daegu and Seongnam. After his debut 16 years ago, he has been loved by many fans as well as fellow singers who recognize him as an exceptional vocalist. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02) 556-5910.

Linkin Park
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park*
Sept. 8

American rock band Linkin Park will visit Korea for the third time after sellout concerts in 2003 and 2007. The upcoming performance will feature works from the group’s fourth album “A Thousand Suns,” which was released in 2010. The Grammy Award-wining, six-member band also celebrates the 15th year since its debut this year. Tickets cost 99,000 to 110,000 won. For more information call (02) 3141-3488.

2011 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
Incheon Dream Park
Aug. 5-7

World-renowned rockers from The Ting Tings to Korn will visit Korea to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the local rock festival, which started in 2006 in Incheon. Festival goers will have a chance to meet Korea’s top rock bands such as Boohwal, which has been performing since 1986, and No Brain, known for their rough and provocative sounds. Tickets cost 88,000 to 165,000 won. Located near Geoman Station on the Airport Railroad (Incheon International Airport bound). For more information call (032) 400-2114.

Museums

Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum
National Museum of Korea
Through Aug. 28

The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the collection of luxurious treasures enjoyed by the ruling class of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection is from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which is renowned for holding world-class decorative Baroque and Rococo artworks. The items range from painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, metals, furniture and textiles, as well as garments and accessories to prints and drawings. A total of 101 articles which were carefully selected for the exhibition were mostly made by top-class artisans of the time at the request of powerful and wealthy nobles. For more information call (02) 2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.

The Return of the Oegyujanggak Uigwe from France
National Museum of Korea.
July 19-Sept. 18

The National Museum of Korea will host a special exhibition celebrating the return of ancient royal books that were plundered by the French army in 1866. The event is aimed at bringing the public’s attention to the historical value of the books from the Oegyujanggak Archive from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 2077-9686.

Pop & Jazz

So Cool Jazz Concert
Guro Arts Valley Theater
July 22-23

Nam Moo-sung, a prolific music critic, author of comic “Jazz It Up” and producer of Korea’s first documentary on the genre, “Bravo! Jazz Life,” oversees the direction of a special summer showcase, “So Cool Jazz.” On the first day of the event, two different jazz groups will take the stage together to mix things up. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Daerim Station on subway lines 2 and 7. For more information call (02) 2029-1700~1.

Play with Us Concert
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Aug. 5-6
Following enthusiastic support from audiences last year, pianist Kim Kwang-min, guitarist-composer Lee Byung-woo and singer-songwriter Yoon Sang will come together onstage. The three artists are determined to “play” with concertgoers onstage, offering diverse songs regardless of genre from classical music to K-pop. Pop singer IU and Ha Rim will star as special guests. Tickets cost 60,000 to 120,000 won. For more information call (02) 3485-8700.

JK Kim Dong-wook
Chungmu Art Hall
Aug. 19-20

R&B singer JK Kim Dong-wook will kick off his nationwide tour in Seoul. The singer, known for his distinctive masculine voice, has become renowned through talent shows including MBC’s “I Am a Singer” and tvN’s “Opera Star.” He hopes to reach out to the audience with just his vocal skills by singing songs in a quiet setting without visual embellishments. Located near exit 9 of Sindang station on subway line 6. Tickets cost 77,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information call (02) 2230-6601.

Dance

Mid-time Fantasy Dance Performance
The National Theater of Korea
July 12-Dec. 13

The National Theater of Korea is offering a weekly noon program introducing traditional dance performances every Tuesday. Eight different performances featured by the National Theater Company will be staged along with detailed explanations for audiences. Tickets cost 5,000 to 10,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Dong-guk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information call (02) 2280-4114.

Ballet ‘Nutcracker’
Seoul Arts Center*
July 31-Aug. 7

The Oregon Ballet Theater, which gave sellout performances of “The Nutcracker” in Seoul last year, will return. The American company will restage the original version of the piece by George Balanchine. The legendary choreographer is credited with turning Nutcracker” into a staple Christmas Day extravaganza, which focuses on the beauty of bodily expression and scenic sets and props. Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information call 070-7814-7330.

Plays & Musicals

Hedwig
KT&G SangSang Art Hall
Through Aug. 21

The rock musical is about a failed transgender rock singer from East Germany. 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 of Samseong Station on subway line 2. For more information call 1544-1555.

Asian Sweets
Daehangno Art Theater
Through July 14

“Asian Sweets,” a play written by Chong Wishing, is a story that spotlights the lives of social minorities and outcasts. Humanist concerns paradoxically criticize the meaning of love and show how family and social structures are becoming increasingly disjointed. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 3668-0029.

Hwasun, Kim Hong-do
The National Theater of Korea
Through July 16

This fusion musical showcases traditional-style dance, music and theater with a contemporary twist. The piece was inspired by “Hwasun,” a famous painting by iconic 18th-century Joseon artist Kim Hong-do. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. Located near exit 6 at Dongguk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information call (02) 2280-4115~6.

Audition
Art-one Theater
Through July 24

Korea’s first homegrown concert musical “Audition” is restaged featuring a new cast, including Moon Hee-jun, former member of K-pop group H.O.T., and setting. 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.