Concerts, museusm and theater

Classical Concerts

Ensemble Berlin Live in Seoul

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

Nov. 30

Virtuoso ensemble “Ensemble Berlin,” consisting of members from the Berliner Philharmoniker, is set to hold its first national tour starting in Seoul Nov. 30, followed by Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center in Jinju Dec. 1 and Geoje Art Center in Geoje Dec. 4.

The ensemble includes violinists Philipp Bohnen, Hwang Sun-young, Martin von der Nahmer, cellist Clemens Weigel, contrabassist Ulrich Wolff, oboist Christoph Hartmann, and bassoonist Mor Biron. Hwang will take part in this tour as the second violinist. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3461-0976.

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

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 Nov. 11 and “Violin Concerto in D major” by Tchaikovsky Nov. 13. Tickets cost 60,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3463-2466.

Stefan Pi Jackiw Recital

Nov. 26

After debuting with his first recital in Korea in 2009 and releasing his first recorded album of Brahms’ violin sonatas, violinist Stefan Pi Jackiw is to hold his second recital with four composer of the 20th century.

He has had a series of engagements with the Chicago Symphony, Toronto Symphony and Rochester Philharmonic. Starting in Busan Nov. 25, the violinist is going on a national tour, followed by Seoul Nov. 26 and Daejeon Nov. 27. The masterpieces of Stravinsky, Copland, Lutoslawski and Richard Strauss will be performed. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1521.

Berliner Philharmoniker with Simon Rattle

Sejong Center for the Performing Art*

Nov. 15 and 16

The Berliner Philharmoniker will visit Korea again. In 2005 when the orchestra held a concert in Korea for the first time in 20 years, the ensemble promised it would return for a triennial concert for Korean fans. “Symphony No. 9 in D major” by Mahler and “Symphony No. 9 in D minor” by Bruckner will be played under the baton of British 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

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. 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.

Chang 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 pieces of Rachmaninov and Piazzolla. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1763~5.

Young Virtuoso Concert Series

Olympus Hall

Nov. 27, Dec. 22

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. Yamaha artist Park will be on stage with the Matador Guitar Quartet with the performance “BACH-HAUS” Nov. 27. In December, rising violinist Kang Ju-mi is scheduled to hold her recital and perform Milstein’s “Paganiniana.” 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.

Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci

Through Nov. 13

Two Italian operas, “Cavalleria Rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni and “Pagliacci” by Ruggiero Leoncavallo will be on stage. “Cavalleria Rusticana,” premiered in Rome in 1890, describes a tragic love story of a soldier based in Sicily. “Pagliacci,” premiered in Milan in 1892, means “the clowns” and is a dramatic piece based on a true story of villagers and a clown troupe in Calabria, Italy. Tickets cost 30,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 518-0154.

Big Tickets

Kim Bum-soo & Lee So-ra 2011 Live Concert

Jamsil Gymnasium

Dec. 23-25

Two famous ballad singers Kim Bum-soo and Lee So-ra, who became well-known by appearing on the popular television show “I Am a Singer” this year, are set to hold a national concert tour during the Christmas season. The duo starts in Daegu (Daegu Indoor Gymnasium) on Dec. 17 followed by Seoul from Dec. 23 to 25 and Busan (BEXCO) on Dec. 31. Tickets cost 66,000 to 132,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information, call 1566-5490.

Park Jung-hyun + Sung Si-kyung ’Love Concerto’

Dec. 29-31

Male and female ballad singers Sung Si-kyung and Lena Park, known as Park Jung-hyun, will go on a joint concert tour throughout December, starting in Busan on Dec. 4 (BEXCO) and on to Seoul at the end of the year. Tickets cost 88,000 to 132,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 540-4550

Museums

Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life

Yongsan War Memorial (Museum)

Through end of December

Since its first opening in 1995, this exhibition has been held throughout the world in over 60 cities and has drawn over 30 million visitors. With the “Plastination” technique which is a biologically-advanced way to preserve bodies invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, this exhibition is now prepared to meet Korean audiences and display the body preserved in a perfect state. The exhibition was designed to make audiences rethink the meaning of life, death and health. Tickets cost 15,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Samgakji Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 541-6236.

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, theater, music, dance and painting. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, 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

The King‘s Singers

Dec. 4

British a cappella vocal ensemble “The King’s Singers” will offer a repertoire prepared especially for the Christmas season. Covering a wide range of genres from classical pieces to pop songs, this ensemble has been achieving international fame and captivating audiences with a series of concert tours throughout the world. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.

Rubato Jazz Festa ‘Swing, Swing, Swing’

Muse Live, Olympic Hall

Nov. 19

Jazz record label Rubato Natural is set to hold its second jazz festival titled “Swing, Swing, Swing.” For this performance, four different jazz groups are scheduled to hit the stage — the Neo Traditional Jazz Trio, Lee Sun-ji Group, KC Bridge and vocalist Lee Bu-young. Tickets cost 25,000 won (online reservation only). Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 3452-2018.

Deli Spice — Goodbye Sorrow, 2011

AX-KOREA

Dec. 17

As a first generation independent music band, Deli Spice has been loved by so many fans ever since debuting with lyrical music in 1997 and captivating audiences with touching melodies. Making a comeback from a long break with its new album titled “Open Your Eyes,” this band successfully finished its showcase celebrating the album’s release last September and is now set to hold a performance in December. Audiences are expected to enjoy the warm and romantic mood that the band will present at the end of the year. Tickets cost 77,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 3445-9650.

Ronn Branton Group ’Jazz Christmas’

Dec. 24-25

Pianist Ronn Branton has invited Brazilian percussionist Valtinho Anastacio to present exciting rhythms and grooves. Branton’s partner saxophonist Klae will also be on stage. Tickets cost 44,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, call (02) 888-2698.

Plays & Musicals

The Last Empress

Grand Theater, Chumgmu Art Hall

Through 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.

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 information, call 1577-3363.

Hamlet

Universal Art Center in Seoul

Through Dec. 17

Janek Ledecky, one of the most popular musicians in the Czech Republic, is better known as composer and writer of the rock opera “Hamlet.” The classic tale of revenge by William Shakespeare was reinterpreted through Ledecky’s composition. It is Ledecky’s third visit to Korea. He first came in 2007 when “Hamlet” premiered here and spent about a month in Korea in 2008, working with another local production of the musical. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Achasan Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 6391-6333.

Dance

The Nutcracker

Dec. 16-25

The Korean National Ballet Company will offer one of the season’s best-known children’s tales “The Nutcracker.” Under the guidance of artistic director Choi Tae-ji, the piece designed by choreographer Yury Grigorovich will be accompanied by the Korean Symphony Orchestra. Tickets cost 5,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

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.