Concerts, museums and theater

Classical Concerts

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts* (See ‘Venues’ on the right for more information)

Seoul Arts Center*

Nov. 11, 13

The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1951 and now led by maestro Yuri Simonov, will appear with violinist Joszef Lendvay. Lendvay, born in 1974 in Hungary and best known as a violinist mixing classical music with gypsy melodies, will perform “Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 by Mendelssohn” on Nov. 11 and “Violin Concerto in D major by Tchaikovsky” on Nov. 13. Tickets cost 60,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3463-2466.

Berliner Philharmoniker with Simon Rattle

Sejong Center for the Performing Art*

Nov. 15 and 16

Berliner Philharmoniker will again visit Korea. In 2005 when the orchestra held a concert in Korea for the first time in 20 years, the ensemble promised it would hold a triennial concert for Korean fans. “Symphony No. 9 in D major” by G. Mahler and “Symphony No. 9 in D minor” by A. Bruckner will be played under the baton of conductor Sir Simon Rattle. Tickets cost 50,000 to 450,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6303-7700 or (02) 580-1300 (Seoul Arts Center).

The Little Singers from Paris Christmas Concert

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Seoul Art Center*

Dec. 9, 20

The Little Singers of Paris (Les Petits Chanteurs a La Croix de Bois), founded in 1906 and best known as boy sopranos with perfect harmony, will hold a local tour in Korea. The chorus covers a wide range of genres from classical music to pop songs. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 597-9870.

Prague Philharmonia

Oct 22-23

Since its establishment in 1994, this young orchestra, best known as the classical musicians much loved by Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, has received much attention from world experts with official support from the city of Prague. The orchestra is planning to entertain Korean fans during Prague Day in Seoul, an event designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties from Oct. 20 to 23. Tickets cost 50,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 338-3513.

Han-Na Cello Recital

Dec. 8

World-renowned Korean cellist Chang Han-na will go on stage with her pianist and recital partner Finghin Collins, performing the pieces of Rachmaninov and Piazzolla. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1763~5.

Trio Owon

LG Arts Center*

Nov. 6

Cellist Yang Sung-won and his classical group Trio Owon will make its first official debut in Korea on Nov. 6 at the LG Art Center. The trio — Yang, pianist Emmanuel Strosser and violinist Olivier Charlier — borrowed their name from legendary Korean painter Jang Seung-up (1843-1897) best known as the character in the film “Painted Fire” (2002) by South Korean master Im Kwon-taek. The group is set to play the pieces of the greatest German Romantic musicians in the 19th century, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Brahms. Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

Murray Perahia in Recital

Oct. 29

World-famous pianist Murray Perahia, the principal guest conductor of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, will arrive in Korea after touring in the United States, Japan and East Asian countries Oct. 29. For this performance, he is expected to perform “French Suite No 5 in G Major” by Bach and “Sonata No 27 in E minor, Op. 90” by Beethoven. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1763~5.

St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra

Nov. 8-9

St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, a Russian orchestra founded in 1882 and led by conductor Yuri Temirkanov, is set to perform with violinist Sarah Chang. The performance is designed to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the establishment of Korean broadcaster SBS. “Symphony No.2 in e minor Op. 27 by Rachmaninov” on Nov. 8 and “Symphony No. 5 in e minor Op.64 by Tchaikovsky” on Nov. 9 will be played for this performance. Tickets cost 60,000 to 270,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.

Young Virtuoso Concert Series

Olympus Hall

Oct. 22 and Nov. 27

Three rising Korean artists will appear in Olympus Korea’s series of classical concerts to support young artists. The three are pianist Ben Kim, flutist Park Jee-eun and violinist Kang Ju-mi. Kim, who has gained international fame since winning First Prize in the 55th ARD Munich International Music Competition, is to hold a piano recital titled “Playing Chopin” on Oct. 22. Yamaha artist Park will be on stage with the Matador Guitar Quartet with the performance “BACH-HAUS” on Nov. 27. Tickets cost 44,000 to 55,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 6255-3270.

Big Tickets

2011 Sung Si-kyung Live Tour

Jamsil Gymnasium

Sung Si-kyung, one of the most popular male ballad singers in Korea, will meet his fans through Nov. 6, with the last stage set in Seoul. The concert series will promote his newly-released 7th album and will be a good chance for audiences to enjoy his romantic voice with an autumn flavor. Tickets cost 77,000 to 121,000 won. Located near exit 6 or 7 of Sport Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 540-4550.

Kim Gun-mo - 20th Anniversary Tour

Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*

Nov. 4-5

The father of K-pop, Kim Gun-mo, will go on a grand concert tour in over 20 cities (including Japan and the United States) for two years, starting in Seoul on Nov. 4 and 5 at the Olympic Park. Since he made his first debut in 1992, Kim himself has become a living history of K-pop as almost all of his songs have been a hit. Kim has recently released his 13th album with newly-written songs designed to celebrate his 20th anniversary. Tickets cost 66,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 542-4145.

Rush Hour Concert

Nov. 3

The LG Arts Center has been holding a series of concerts at 7 p.m. for office workers that usually suffer from heavy traffic jams during that time. In November, indie band Kingston Rudieska will perform ska music, which is rooted in Jamaican culture and considered the origin of reggae music. The concerts will last an hour, and tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

Museums

Paintings of Rabindranath Tagore — The Last Harvest

National Museum of Korea

Through Nov. 27

Commemorating “The Year of the Korea-India Friendship,” the museum exhibits 49 paintings by Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) and his related books. Tagore, best known through his poem “A Light of the East,” is the first Asian who received the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913 with his poetry series titled “Gitanjali.” Though many people remember him only as a poet, this exhibition is designed to break this stereotype and show a wide range of his achievements in novel, theatre, music, dance and painting. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more, call (02) 2077-9496.

Ancient Writings and Thereafter

The museum will feature about 400 artifacts related to ancient Asian writings and letter. For this exhibition, “A Rubbed Copy of the Inscription on King Gwanggaeto’s Monument” will be displayed for the first time. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9461.

Pop & Jazz

Pudditorium Concert “TRILOGIE, Play 1”

Nov. 6, 7

After Kim Jung-bum, leader of jazz band “Pudding,” put out a solo project “Pudditorium,” he broadened his artistic realms as film music director, producer, artist and even performance director. He is planning to hold a trilogy concert after celebrating the release of his second album. Tickets cost 45,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2658-3546.

Lasse Lindh — The Tiger With No Stripes Live 2011 in Korea

KT&G Sangsangmadang Live Hall

Nov. 4

Swedish singer songwriter Lasse Lindh is set to hold a concert, celebrating the recent release of his special edition album “The Tiger with No Stripes.” He has become well-known to Korean fans through his two pieces “C’mon Through” and “The Stuff,” featured in the hit Korean melodrama “Soulmate.” Lindh, who first met Korean fans at his first concert in 2006, has become more famous here as he moved to live in Seoul for a year to learn about Korean culture and music. Tickets cost 50,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 324-3814.

Dance

Korea National Ballet ’Romeo & Juliet’

Oct. 27-30

The Korea National Ballet will collaborate with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time. Fans can thus expect to enjoy a performance that is not only visually pleasing but also aurally enticing — just like a movie. Maestro Chung Myung-whun, the prolific music director of the Seoul Philharmonic (who recently made headlines by visiting Pyongyang) will conduct the original music by Prokofiev. Tickets cost 5,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or (02) 587-6181.

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.

Plays & Musicals

The Last Empress

Grand Theater, Chumgmu Art Hall

Oct. 29-Nov. 20

“The Last Empress” is a portrayal of the fascinating life of Korea’s beloved Queen Min and her struggle to steer the hermit kingdom toward modernization. The musical portrays her close ties with Western nations to keep Japan at bay as it strives to take over her country, and her eventual demise at the sword of Japanese assassins. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 2250-5900.

Looking for Family

Through Nov. 6

Theater Blue in Chungmu Art Hall

A new musical “Looking for Family” brings the story of two old ladies and three animals living in a rural area to the stage. The homegrown play portrays how they grow into a real family, sharing their sorrows and secrets. “Looking for Family” awakens the true sense of family. Tickets cost 30,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 2230-6601.

Mamma Mia!

D-Cube Arts Center

Through Feb. 26

Broadway hit musical “Mamma Mia!,” based on the songs of ABBA, is currently on stage as a Korean production. “Mamma Mia!” premiered in Korea in 2004 and has held more than 800 local performances, attracting more than a million viewers. Tickets cost 40,000 to 110,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Sindorim Station on subway line 1 or 2. For more information, call (02) 2211-3000.

Cats

Charlotte Theater

Through Dec. 31

Based on T. S. Eliot’s poems, the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber portrays the feline world in an affectionate way. This year’s production cast three divas, singer Insooni, actresses Park Hae-mi and Hong Ji-min, as Grizabella the former Glamour Cat. Tickets cost 50,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2 or 8. For more, call 1577-3363.