Classical Concerts
Classical concerts
2011 Premiere Philharmonic Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center* (See ‘Venues’ on the right for more information)
July 27
The symphonic works by Franz Liszt, a Hungarian composer and pianist known for the invention of symphonic poems, will be performed by the Premiere Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth. Liszt’s “Symphonic Poem No. 3 ‘Les Preludes’ S.97” and “Symphonic Poem No. 6 ‘Mazeppa’ S.100” will be played. Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 585-5964.
The Sonata Series of the Beethoven Association of Korea _ Heroic Beethoven
Seoul Arts Center*
Aug. 29
In order to celebrate the 5th anniversary of its establishment, this association has been promoting Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas with 32 pianists, and dividing the performance into six sections. Its 4th performance is this August with "Sonata No.3 in C Major, Op.2-3" and "Sonata No.7 in D Major, Op.10 -3" planned. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3436-5929.
2011 Symphony Journey for Youth
July 30
Korea W Philharmonic Orchestra, which won The Korea Times' sister paper Hankook Ilbo's Grand Prize for customer satisfaction in the arts and culture section less than a year after its foundation, will perform the pieces of Mendelssohn and Beethoven for the youth. The orchestra has become one of the most active musical ensembles, giving as many as 90 concerts last year, including five at Seoul Arts Center and numerous charity events. Tickets cost 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3442-4285.
Asia Philharmonic Orchestra
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.
Summer Classics
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Aug. 12-13
For the summer vacation, the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is preparing an educational performance targeting youths in order to help students easily access the world of classical music and give a lesson in etiquette required in a concert hall. The orchestra will play “Arirang” and “Peter and the Wolf” by Prokofiev with easy and interesting narration. Tickets cost 5,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1790 or (02) 399-1114.
Big Tickets
YB Band ‘Youth: Back to Basics’
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*
Through July 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
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
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 “Nongae” 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*
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.
Through 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
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
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
Through 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’
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 ” 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
Spring Awakening
Doosan Art Center
Through Sept. 4
“Spring Awakening,” a Broadway musical which was first put on stage in 2006 and took eight prizes at the 61st Tony Awards in the following year, is remade again. The musical deals with the conflict between youths fascinated with sexual anxiety and adults sticking to the authoritative mindset. Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 744-4334 or (02) 708-5001~3.
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.
Saltbush
July 29-Aug. 2
Unlike other general plays focusing on visual effects limited to the stage, this piece aims for audience participation by using moving images, music and dance performed by actors on a “magic” carpet. The performance is for children. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Dong-guk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 2280-4115~6.
Audition
Art-one Theater
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 an updated 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.