Classical Concerts; Museums; Dance; Pop and Jazz

Classical Concerts

Prades Casals Festival in Korea

Seoul Arts Center*

March 1

The renowned Pablo Casals Festival marks its 60th anniversary this year. Participants to this music festival will perform at Seoul Arts Center on March 1. Michel Lethiec, the most famous musicians in the Pablo Casals Festival in Prades will be in Korea this year. Cellist Arto Noras, violist Gerard Poulet and Hartmut Rohde, Korean musicians Violinist Baek Ju-young, Kim So-ock, cellist Song Young and pianist Park Jong-hwa will also join the concert. Tickets cost 11,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call 1544-5142.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Feb. 21-22

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO) will perform on Feb. 21-22 under the baton of 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 Leipzig 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.

Between Valses: Travellers Diary

Jan. 31

Classical guitarist Denis Sungho will hold a recital at Seoul Arts Center on Jan. 31. He will hold a national tour starting in Daegu on Jan. 31 and finishing on Feb. 18 in Ulsan. Tickets cost 30,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 749-8821.

London Symphony Orchestra

Feb. 27-28

Britain’s top orchestra will visit Korea for the first time in six years with its music director Valery Gergiev from Russia. The concert will feature American violinist Sarah Chang and Russian pianist Denis Matsuev as soloists. Tickets cost 70,000 to 350,000 won. For more information, please call (02) 599-5743.

Big Tickets

Il Divo Concert

Jamsil Stadium

March 3

The world-famous popera group that sold over 2.5 million albums will tour Korea. The four members, Davild Miller, Sebastien Izambard, Carlos Marin, and Urs Buhler, hail from the United States, France, Spain and Switzerland respectively. 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, please call (02) 407-2589.

Jammo Jammo Concert

Yoondang Art Hall

Feb. 26

Comedian Jeon Yoo-sung directs this 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, please call (02) 797-7608.

Opera ’Hansel and Gretel’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Feb. 3-12

Based on the Brothers Grimm’s famous fairy tale, 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, please call (02) 3446-9654.

Museums

‘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 information, please 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, please call (02) 724-0274.

Japanese Buddhist Art from the Lake Biwa District-Aspiring for Rebirth in the Buddhist Paradise

National Museum of Korea

Through Feb. 19

A unique Japanese Buddhism exhibition is under way at the National Museum of Korea. Biwa in Sigha City in Japan became the central place for Buddhist culture during the Heian period (794-1185). Buddhism was introduced into Japan from Korea and flourished. Sponsored by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, the exhibition shows 94 Buddhist artifacts including national treasurers. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. Free Admission. For more information, please call (02) 2077-9000.

Tutankhamen: His Tomb and His Treasures

Gwacheon National Science Museum

Through Feb. 26

A great chance to see ancient remains from Egypt has arrived. 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.

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. 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 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.

Giselle

March 1-4

Korea National Ballet (KNB) presents “Giselle” to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012 at 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 information, call (02) 587-6181.

Pop & Jazz

Green Plugged RED 2012

KINTEX Ilsan

Through 28

“Green Plugged RED 2012” is a winter indoor environmental friendly music festival. This concert will be held at KINTEX Ilsan from Jan. 27 to 28 just after Lunar New Year’s celebration. This concert is targeted for adult audiences. Korean singer Lee Seung-hwan, UV, and DJ Koo will join the concert. Also, Japanese producer and DJ Shinichi Osawa, English band Fanfarlo, and Canadian punk band Marianas Trench are to perform. Tickets cost 53,600 to 94,000 won. Located near exit 3 or 4 of Juyeop Station on subway line 3. For information, call (02) 323-1807.

Halie Loren Jazz Quartet Concert

Womenhall Yongin City

Feb. 25

American jazz singer Halie Loren a popular recording artist in the United States, 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 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 is known not only in Korea but also in Japan 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 information, call 1588-4430.

Notre Dame de Paris

“Notre Dame de Paris,” a French musical seen by over 10 million people around the world, will be staged in Korea again in an English edition. 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 information, call (02) 541-3182.

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 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 information, call (02) 766-6007.

200-Pound Beauty

Chungmu Art Hall

The Korean musical “200-Pound Beauty” is based on the 2007 movie of 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 information, 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. Call 1577-3363.

Hero

The Korean musical “Hero” is based on the life of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910). The musical was originally designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ahn’s assassination of Japan’s first Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi in Harbin, Manchuria, on Oct. 26, 1909. It was also staged at New York Lincoln Center in August 2011. A comedian-turned-actor Jung Sung-hwa and musical actor Cho Hui will play the role of Ahn. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. For information, call (02) 2250-5900.

Doctor Zhivago

Charlotte Theater

Through 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 Cho Seung-woo 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 information, call 1588-5212.