Pianist Lupu cancels Korea tour

By Lee Hyo-won

The Korean concert debut by Radu Lupu, one of the most talked about events of the season, has been called off due to the pianist’s ill health.

The Romanian pianist was on a concert tour in Japan when his condition deteriorated. He cancelled his remaining engagements in Japan and Korea to receive a medical checkup in Switzerland. Lupu is ``extremely unwell,’’ his agency said.

The artist was slated to give a solo recital at Seoul Arts Center on Sunday and appear as soloist with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Nov. 3. Mast Media, the local organizer of the recital, will refund all tickets by Nov. 30 and plans to initiate talks with his agency to realize his Seoul debut in the near future. Call (02) 541-3183.

Meanwhile the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is searching for a replacement for Lupu and will reimburse tickets free of charge via telephone. The second half of the performance, featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 under the conduction of Maestro Chung Myung-whun, will be staged as planned. Call 1588-1210.