KNO to open new season with 'Pearl Fishers'
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Director Jean-Louis Grinda, who helmed the Korea National Opera’s production of “The Pearl Fishers,” speaks during a press conference at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of the KNO
By Kwon Ji-youn
Bizet’s “Carmen” was one of Paul Gong’s favorite operas, featuring the baritone in a small role with a big impact. But the French composer’s “The Pearl Fishers (Les pecheurs de perles)” is a whole new ball game.
“This is my first time working with ‘The Pearl Fishers,’ and I’ve never seen it staged in the 11 years I’ve performed in France,” the Korean baritone said at a press event, Thursday. “Now that I’ve tried it, I know why. The tenor and soprano parts are very difficult. They require power when hitting high notes, but need to make sure the piano can be heard.”
“The Pearl Fishers” is the opening act for the Korea National Opera’s (KNO) 2015/16 season. The opera company has decided to introduce repertoires by season, mapping out its performance schedule at once and sharing it with audiences early. This system will likely help the KNO work more efficiently with foreign producers and cast.
“If we adopt this system, we will be able to better promote our productions,” said KNO Director Kim Hak-min, who joined the cast at the press event. “This is how opera companies abroad operate.”
“The Pearl Fishers,” Bizet’s opera in three acts of a libretto by Eugene Cormon and Michel Carre, was first performed in 1863 at the Theatre Lyrique in Paris. Set in ancient times on the island of Ceylon, the opera tells the story of how the friendship of two men is jeopardized when they fall for the same woman, whose predicament is an inner conflict between love and her sacred oath as a priestess.
The cast includes tenor Jesus Leon, sopranos Nathalie Manfrino, Hong Ju-young, baritones Paul Gong, Je Sang-chul and bass Park Jun-hyuk.
“It was Bizet’s first opera, but it is grand with a full melody,” said Jean-Louis Grinda, who led the production.
“Because the opera covers so many themes and is powerful in so many ways, I tried to break it down as much as I could,” Grinda said. “Instead, I tried to make sure the costumes, lighting and staging were impressive.”
At the same press event, KNO Director Kim, who took office in July after a lengthy vacancy following former artistic director Han Ye-jin’s resignation, took time to define his goals for the KNO.
“As you all know, the KNO was without a leader for quite some time, and so under my leadership, I want to make sure that it embraces all its members the singers, conductors, producers, designers and the public,” Kim said. “The KNO is financed by state coffers, so it is important that people of all walks of life can enjoy the productions.”
He added, “I also want to create opportunities for our productions to go abroad, perhaps with festival invites and co-productions.”
He refused to comment on earlier controversies surrounding how qualified he was for the director job and said he will address any questions directed to him at a later date.
“The Pearl Fishers” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from Oct. 15 to 18. For more information, visit www.nationalopera.org or call 1588-2514.