Opera Troupes From Afar to Perform in Seoul
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Opera lovers need not travel far for a taste of original European opera. Germany's Dortmund Theater will stage Mozart's "The Magic Flute" from Thursday through Sunday at Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater. The next week, from Oct. 15 to 18 at the same venue, the San Carlo Theater from Naples, Italy will bring Puccini's "Turandot."
The Magic Flute
The local Beseto Opera is credited with establishing Mozart's ``The Magic Flute'' as a seasonal, sellout program from 2003 to 2005. This time the company invites the rendition by the Dortmund Theater from Germany.
``The Magic Flute'' is the first German opera to be taken seriously, and is noted for showcasing the dramatic power of music rather than simply presenting beautiful melodies.
The Dortmund Theater is reputed for its offbeat quality in featuring bold, daring new shows.
Director Patrick Bialdyga will showcase fantastic sets that include sculpture pieces by Hongik University professor Yu Geung-sang.
Sopranos Esthe Hilsberg and Kristina Schaum will share the role of Pamina while tenors Andreas Scheidegger and Kim Seok-chul will alternate the part of Prince Tamino.
Fans can also look forward to the famous Queen of the Night aria "Hell's Vegeance Boileth in Mine Heart" by either one of the talented sopranos, Anja Maria Kaftan or Park Min-ja. Ekhart Wycik, principal conductor of the Dortmund Theater will wield the baton.
Tickets cost 30,000-310,000 won. Call (02) 3476-6224.
Turandot
``Turandot'' is one of the most frequently staged operas in South Korea, but the timeless love theme and arias such as "Nessun Dorma" never grow old. Moreover, the upcoming rendition is expected to be like a slice of living history straight from Italy.
Inaugurated in 1737, the San Carlo Theater in Naples is the oldest continuously active opera house in Europe. Puccini himself staged his work at the opera house, which is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
Celebrated French novelist Stendhal was quoted as saying in 1817, "There is nothing in all Europe to compare with the theater or give the slightest idea of what it is like… It dazzles the eyes, enraptures the soul."
As part of a Korea-Italy cultural exchange project, Korea's Sol'Opera invites the San Carlo's production of ``Turandot'' to Seoul, including its original star-studded cast and beautiful set by artistic director Gianni Tangucci.
Featured in the lead role of Turandot are sopranos Lucia Mazzaria, who appears regularly at La Scala, and Paola Romano, who rose to stardom in roles opposite the late Luciano Pavarotti. Also visiting Korea for the first time are star tenors including Nicola Martinucci, who, as the suave Calaf, attempts to melt the heart of the icy princess. Marcello Mottadelli will conduct the New Prime Orchestra.
The singers, joined by Korea's Lee Jung-won and Kim Se-a, will give a gala concert featuring various operatic arias Saturday afternoon before the evening performance.
Tickets for the opera cost 30,000 to 340,000 won and those for the gala concert cost 30,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 1544-9373.