Classical concerts

Classical Concerts

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra New Year’s Concert

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Jan. 15

Renowned Violinist Chung Kyung-wha, who recently completed a four-city tour on Dec. 26, 2011, is returning to the stage on Jan. 15 with her brother Chung Myung-whun and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. She will play Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy.” The SPO will also perform Mahler’s 1st symphony “Titan” in the second half of the program, a piece that appeared on the orchestra’s second Deutsche Grammophon recording in November 2011. Tickets range from 20,000 to 70,000 won. Call (02) 399-1114.

Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra New Year’s Concert

Seoul Arts Center*

Jan. 18

The Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra, founded in 1978, will perform with soprano Im Sun-hae in its fourth performance in Korea. The orchestra has been touring throughout Europe, Asia and America with a wide repertoire. Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. Call (02) 599-5743.

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra & Thomaner Choir

Feb. 23s

The Gewandhaus Orchestra and Thomaner Choir will visit Korea for the third time to perform Bach’s “St. Matthew’s Passion.” The choir members are composed of students aged 8 to 18 years old and the choir is over 800 years old. The orchestra will be conducted by Georg Christoph Biller. Tickets cost 30,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

London Symphony Orchestra

Feb. 27-28

Britain’s top orchestra will visit Korea for the first time in six years. Conducted by Valery Gergiev, the concert will feature Korean-American violinist Sarah Chang and Russian pianist Denis Matsuev. Tickets cost 70,000 to 350,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Big Tickets

Notre Dame de Paris

Jan. 19-Feb. 5

“Notre Dame de Paris,” a French musical seen by over 10 million people around the world, will be staged in Korea again. Three men fall in love with a gypsy woman, Esmeralda. A hunchback, Quasimodo, overcomes his physical disability through Esmeralda and tries to see the positive side of himself. Archdeacon Frollo is torn between his religious belief and love. An Army captain, Phebus, is the only one whose affection is returned. Directed by Gilles Maheu, the show features Matt Laurent as Quasimodo and Candice Parise as Esmeralda. Tickets cost 60,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3182.

Jammo Jammo Concert

Yoondang Art Hall

Jan. 7-Feb. 26

Comedian Jeon Yoo-sung directs this “funny” concert, in which family audience are encouraged to clap and laugh throughout the show. Concertgoers will also be able to participate in a waltz. The program includes the gospel classic “Oh Happy Day” and a medley of animation film scores. Tickets cost 25,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 797-7608.

Seoul Electronic Music Festival — SEMF 2012

KINTEX (Ilsan)

Jan. 14

Crystal Castles, best known as an electro-funk duo who composed the soundtrack for the British teen drama, “Above & Beyond,” IDIOTAPE, Telepathy, Mongoose, ASTRO VOIZE, KINGmck and Bagagee Viphex13 will hit the stage on Jan 14. Tickets cost 121,000 won. Located near exit 1 and 2 of Daehwa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call 070-4010-7845.

Opera ‘Hansel and Gretel’

Feb. 3-12

Based on Brother Grimm’s famous fable, the opera “Hansel and Gretel” is designed to appeal to audiences of all ages. Hansel and Gretel get lost in the forest. They find a house decorated with chocolates and snacks belonging to an evil witch. Will the young siblings find their way back home? Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3446-9654.

Il Divo Concert

Jamsil Stadium

March 3

The world-famous popera group that sold over 2.5 million albums will tour Korea. There are four members in this group: Davild Miller, Sebastien Izambard, Carlos Marin, and Urs Buhler. Members were born in different countries; the U.S., France, Spain, and Switzerland. Tickets cost 99,000 to 220,000 won. Located near exit 6 or 7 of Jamsil Integrated Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 407-2589.

Museums

Joseon Painters as Envoys to China

National Museum of Korea

Through Jan. 15

This exhibition aims to introduce 33 works produced by envoys to China during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The exhibition sheds light on historical pieces created by Joseon painters who participated in about 500 diplomatic missions to China held in that period and attempts to explore cultural exchange activities between two countries. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9497.

‘Have an Auspicious Dream in the Year of the Dragon’

National Folk Museum of Korea

Through Feb. 27

A special exhibition celebrates the “Year of the Dragon” in the Oriental zodiac. The National Folk Museum of Korea presents relics related to the mythical creature, which was believed to have special abilities and power and has also been a symbol of kings in Korea. Admission is free. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 3704-3114.

Botanical Art in Cheonggyecheon

Seoul Museum of History

Through Feb. 5

The Seoul Museum of History presents flowers drawn from Cheonggye Stream, Seoul’s restored waterway in the heart of the capital. The museum provides an opportunity to see different types of flowers from the stream. Admission is free. Closed on Mondays. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 724-0274.

Dance

Legend of Flower 2

Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel Theater

Open Run

A combination of traditional and modern Korean dance, “Legend of Flower 2” presents its second season. The performance follows the romance between Ara and Mir. However, the evil “Mamawang” gets in the way of the couple. “Legend of Flower 2” features four acts with the themes of “rendezvous,” “love,” “adversity” and “wedding.” The production features creations by Park Dong-woo, who designed costumes for famous musicals such as “The Last Empress” and “Hero.” A dinner show is also available. Tickets cost 60,000 to 300,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 455-5000.

Jeong Yeon-hee’s ‘Our Dance’

Theater Sungkyun

Through March 28

Dancer-choreographer Jeong Yeon-hee will introduce various traditional Korean dances at Theater Sunkyun until Mar. 28. Tickets cost 6,800 to 20,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Haehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information, please call (02) 747-5035.

Pop & Jazz

Brown Eyed Soul Live Concert ‘Soul Live’

Olympic Park*

Jan. 28-29

Popular vocal group Brown Eyed Soul will hold a live concert featuring tracks from its recent album “Soul Fever.” The recording includes 19 pieces such as “For Your Love” and “Can’t Stop Loving You.” Tickets cost 66,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 410-1114.

Damian Rice

Jan. 11

The concert is the fifth of Hyundai Card’s “Culture Project” series. Irish singer-songwriter Damian Rice will hit the Korean stage to perform for local fans for the first time. The singer has become well-known around the world for his folk-rock pieces filled with a dark and gloomy atmosphere such as “The Bower’s Daughter,” “Cannonball,” “9 Crimes,” “Elephant” and “Rootless Tree.” Tickets cost 132,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

The Last SG Wanna Be

COEX Hall D

Jan. 27-28

Popular ballad and R&B singing group SG Wanna Be will perform for fans in Seoul as part of a national tour that began in October 2011. This will be the last encore concert which is expected to run for 150 minutes. Located near exit 5 or 6 of Samsung Station on subway line 2, 9, or Bundang line. Tickets cost 77,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, please call 1566-1360.

Woongsan and Jazz Orchestra

Feb. 15

Jazz vocalist Woongsan will hold a concert to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The beloved artist not only in Korea but also in Japan, Woongsan is known for having a unique voice that earned her the best jazz album award at the 2008 Korean Music Awards. She was also invited to sing at “Bluenote,” a hall of fame for jazz in Japan. Tickets cost 44,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1588-4430.

Halie Loren Jazz Quartet Concert

Womenhall Yongin City

Feb. 25

Jazz vocalist Halie Loren is one of the noticeable singers in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. Halie Loren’s concert will be held at Womenhall in Yongin City on Feb. 25. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Jukjeon Station on the Bundang line. For more information, call (031) 324-8994~5.

Plays & Musicals

200-Pound Beauty

Chungmu Art Hall

The Korean musical “200-Pound Beauty” is based on ta 2007 movie bythe same name. The musical premiered in 2008 and now returns with a revamped music score and set. Actor-turned-director Lim Chul-hyung will direct the show that tells the story of an overweight backup singer whose life totally changes after a makeover through plastic surgery. Tickets cost 50,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information, please call (02) 3485-8700.

Evita

LG Arts Center*

Through Jan. 29

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, “Evita” comes to Korea for a second time. The musical portrays the dramatic life of Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentinean President Juan Peron. Musical divas Jeong Seon-a and Lisa Chung will share the role of Evita. Tickets cost 30,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, please call 1577-3363.

Zorro, the Musical

Blue Square

A musical spinoff of the Hollywood film “The Mask of Zorro.” In 19th-century California, Zorro carries both the good and bad sides of men, acting like an absurd flatterer during the day and a masked hero by night. Tickets cost 13,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 548-1141.

The Old Man and the Sea

Mapo Art Center

Through Jan. 21

Theater group Ensemble reinterprets Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel “The Old Man and the Sea” for the stage. Actors Lee Gye-yeong, Jeong Jae-jin and Min Gyeong-jin share the role of the old man struggling with a giant marlin. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exit 5 or 6 of Ewha Womans University station on subway line number 2. For more information, call (02) 3274-8600.

Pinocchio

Mokdong Broad Hall

Through Jan. 22

This family musical invites children to think about the meaning of family. Childless Geppetto makes a wooden doll, Pinocchio, that miraculously comes to life. However, Pinocchio does not listen to his father and behaves badly. One day Geppetto is eaten by a whale and Pinocchio tries to save him. Located near exit 2 of Omokgyo Station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2647-8175.