Concerts, museums and theater

Classical Concerts

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.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Feb. 21-22

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO) will perform on Feb. 21-22 under the baton of renowned Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun at Seoul Arts Center. The Korean maestro will be leading a program of Kodaly’s “Dances of Galanta,” Mendelssohn’s violin concerto and “Concerto for Orchestra” by Bartok. This will be followed by another concert on Feb. 22 with a program of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 with London-based pianist Kim Sun-wook and the Brahms Symphony No. 2. Tickets cost 70,000 to 400,000 won. Call 1577-5266.

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra & Thomaner Choir

Feb. 23

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 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

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

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. 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

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.

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. 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

Tutankhamen: His Tomb and His Treasures

Gwacheon National Science Museum

Through Feb. 26

A great chance to see ancient remains from Egypt is here. Excavated by English archaeologist and Egyptologist, Howard Carter, King Tut’s mummy will be on display in Korea. Over 1,300 relics have been restored. Visitors can see Tutankhamen’s tomb and many treasures. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Closed on Mondays. Located near exit 5 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. For information, call (02) 3677-1435.

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

Giselle

March 1-4

Korea National Ballet (KNB) presents “Giselle” to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012 at the Seoul Arts Center. Choreographed by Patrice Bart, “Giselle” will show French-style ballet. The story begins in a village where Giselle falls in love with Albrecht, a prince of Silesia. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181.

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. 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

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.

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.

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.

Plays & musicals

Doctor Zhivago

Charlotte Theater

Jan. 27-June 3

A new musical “Doctor Zhivago” will be staged in Korea for the first time. Based on Boris Pasternak’s novel, the story revolves around Zhivago’s life and love during the 1917 Russian Revolution. Produced by Shin Chun-soo, the Korean production presents musical actor Hong Kwang-ho and model-turned-actor Ju Ji-hun alternating in the role of Yuri Zhivago. Tickets cost 70,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2 or 8. For more information, please call 1588-5212.

Elisabeth

Blue Square

Feb. 9-May 13

Viennese musical “Elisabeth” will be presented at the Blue Square. With music by Sylvester Levay and plot and lyrics by Michael Kunze, the story revolves around famous Austrian Empress Elisabeth Sissi. The empress will be played by musical actress Kim Sun-yong and singer-turned-actress Ock Joo-hyun. Tickets cost 30,000 to 150,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 6391-6333.

Return to Hamlet

Dongsoong Art Center

Through April 8

Directed by Korea’s popular movie director Jang Jin, the play “Return to Hamlet” is staged at Dongsoong Art Center through Apr. 8. The play is not Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Director Jang created a comical story of actors who are about to play “Hamlet.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Haehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 766-6007.

200-Pound Beauty

Chungmu Art Hall

The Korean musical “200-Pound Beauty” is based on the 2007 movie on the same name. The musical premiered in 2008 and now returns with a revamped music score and set. 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.

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, please call (02) 2647-8175.

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.