Seoul Opera Ensemble to premiere contemporary opera 'Chi Hwa Seon'
A scene from the contemporary opera, "Chi Hwa Seon" / Courtesy of Seoul Opera Ensemble
The Seoul Opera Ensemble (SOE) is set to debut "Chi Hwa Seon," a contemporary opera composed by Lee Keun-hyoung, this October. Following a successful showcase in November 2022, this production delves into traditional Korean themes while integrating elements from global operas, aiming to expand the horizons of Korean opera.
"Chi Hwa Seon" offers an insight into the life of artist Jang Seung-eop (1843-97), renowned for his unconventional artistic pursuits during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), a tumultuous period in Korean history.
While the 2002 film of the same title gained recognition for its portrayal of Jang's unique artistry and the beautiful landscapes of the Korean Peninsula, Lee's opera provides a more intricate exploration of the painter's life.
This includes his romantic relationship with a tightrope walker, his encounters with King Gojong during the Imo Incident of 1882 and Gapsin Coup of 1884 and his transformative journey as an artist.
The SOE, overseeing the production, has been dedicated to the globalization of Korean operas since its establishment in 1994. Significant milestones include the staging of the 2015 original opera "Woon Young," inspired by the ancient Korean novel "Woon Young-Jeon," also from the late Joseon era, and another homegrown opera "Self-portrait with Red Eyes," which portrayed the tumultuous life of painter Yun Du-seo (1668-1715) against the backdrop of the Nogudang House of the Haenam Yun Clan, in 2017.
Additionally, the SOE collaborated on the 2018 opera "The Butterfly Dream," an exploration of the life of Yun I-sang (1917-1995), a Korean composer who created the opera, "Die Witwe des Schmetterlings" (Butterfly Widow), while imprisoned after being kidnapped by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency in East Berlin. Their latest original production is "The Trigger," a narrative that delves into the story of a tree aspiring to become a musical instrument but ultimately embodying a symbol of conflict as a gun, in 2022.
"With the vision of creative opera paving the way for the globalization of Korean opera, we take great pride in presenting 'Chi Hwa Seon,' a creative opera that captures the artistic essence of street painter Jang Seung-eop during the late Joseon Dynasty. We anticipate that this performance will catalyze the diversification of Korean operatic productions," Chang Soo-dong, director of SOE, said.
"Chi Hwa Seon" will feature the company's orchestra and the Maesta Opera Choir. Performances are scheduled to be held at the Art Hall Mac, a venue of the Mapo Art Center, on Oct. 20 and 21.