Seasonal Classics Have Arrived
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Christmas and New Year are just around the corner ― why not celebrate the merry occasion with something classic? Among a myriad of concerts and performances, here are some you should not miss this season. All ticket reservations are available at www.interpark.co.kr (1544-1555) or www.ticketlink.co.kr (1588-7890).
Little Carolers From Europe
Les Petits Chanteurs a la Croix de Bois:
These ``little angels from Paris'' will carol their way across the country, from Seoul to Busan, singing carols such as Mozart's ``Berceuse,'' religious classics such as Schubert's ``Ave Maria'' and beloved French chansons like ``La Vie en Rose'' and ``Paris Paname.''
Founded in 1907, the a capella boy's choir has built an international reputation since its overseas debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1931. The choir has toured in Asia for the past 30 years, with 15 consecutive sell-out concert tours in Korea. The boys, aged 8-15, are much loved for their vibrant voices that blend in perfect harmony with stellar boy soprano soloists.
The schedule is: Dec. 7, Pocheon Banwon Art Hall (www.bwart.net); two in Seoul on Dec. 8 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (www.sejongpac.or.kr); Dec. 9, Daejeon Art Center (www.djac.or.kr); Dec. 13, Daegu Cultural Center for Students (www.dccs.go.kr); Dec. 14, Changwon Sungsan Art Hall (www.sungsanart.or.kr); Dec. 16, Busan Cultural Center (bsculture.busan.kr); and Dec. 20, Pohang Art (phart.or.kr).
Tickets cost 30,000-150,000 won. Call (02) 523-5391 for more information.
The choir will give another performance in Seoul, Dec. 23, at the Nowon Art & Culture Center. Nowon Children's Choir will make a guest performance. Tickets cost 50,000-60,000 won. Call (02)3392-5721 or visit art.nowon.seoul.kr for more information.
Bambini di Praga:
The children's choir from Prague will celebrate Christmas with Korean audiences.
The choir boasts 60 years of bringing together the best 14 to 15-year-olds from the School of Choral Singing of the Bambini di Praga.
The girls and boys are well known for their diverse repertoire, ranging from Baroque to contemporary music, Eastern European folk songs to pop and jazz tunes. They have released over 30 albums that are famous world wide.
The schedule is: Dec. 15, Daegu Suseong Artpia (www.ssartpia.or.kr); 2:30 p.m., Dec. 22 at Seoul Art Center (www.sac.or.kr); and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21-22 at Seoul Open Theater Changdong (www.sotc.or.kr). Ticket costs vary for each venue, 20,000-80,000 won. Call (02) 548-4480.
Seasonal Favorites
Nutcracker:
Christmas wouldn't be complete without Tchaikovsky's timeless ballet ``The Nutcracker.'' Based on Hoffman's toy story, the production was a failure when it premiered in 1892, a time when the concept of a ballet for children was non-existent. Now it is loved all over the world, and revisits Korea in a variety of forms.
Korea National Ballet Company
will stage Yuri Grigorovich's version of the ballet at the Seoul Arts Center, Dec. 20-29. The upcoming production will be more dynamic, for dance moves will replace the traditional mime parts and child dancers will take the place of wooden nutcrackers.
Tickets cost 20,000-70,000 won. Call (02) 580-1301.
Seoul Ballet Company will premiere choreographer James Jeon's version of ``The Nutcracker'' at the Seongnam Art Center, Dec. 21-25. Korean traditional dance routines have been added to the second act, which originally showcases world folk dances. Two leading dancers from Monte Carlo Ballet will play the principal parts, and choreographer Jeon and his wife Kim In-hi, director of Seoul Ballet, will also join the stage.
Tickets cost 20,000-55,000 won for afternoon shows and 30,000-60,000 won for evening shows. Call (031) 783-8000.
The Universal Ballet Company
has staged ``The Nutckracker'' some 400 times during the past 22 years, and brings a classic rendition of the story in the traditional Russian Kirov-style, Dec. 23-26 at the Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Complex. They will also perform: Dec. 1 at Chuncheon Culture & Art Center (www.ccac.or.kr); Dec. 8-9 at Uijeongbu Arts Center (www.uac.or.kr); Dec. 13-15 at Daejeon Culture & Arts Center (www.djac.or.kr); and Dec. 29-30 at Gunpo Culture & Art Center (www.gunpoart.net).
Tickets cost 10,000-50,000 won. Call 1577-7766.
La Boheme:
The National Opera of Korea is determined to establish Puccini's opera as a regular end-of-the-year production like ``The Nutcracker,'' and will give an unprecedented nine-day performance, Dec. 6-14 at Seoul Arts Center. There are two performances Dec. 8 and none Dec. 10.
The opera is a staple of the standard operatic repertoire, alongside Puccini's other masterpieces such as ``Madame Butterfly.''
Set during Christmastime in 19th century Paris, the opera realistically depicts struggling young artists who nurture their passion for art and hopes for the future. Poets, singers, painters and philosophers gather together in this warm winter story.
The renowned Julian Kovatchev, who conducted ``La Boheme'' at last year's Puccini Festival, will. Ulisse Santicchi, who directed the National Opera's ``Macbeth'' and ``Turandot'' will helm the production.
Tickets cost 10,000-150,000 won. Call (02) 580-1301.
Christmas With a Twist
Yang Sung-won's Christmas Concert:
Cellist Yang Sung-won and an ensemble of top musical talent offer classical music ― and jazz ― fans a unique Christmas experience, with two consecutive concerts on Dec. 22 at Kumho Art Hall, northern Seoul.
At 4 p.m., classical music buffs will be able to fathom the true meaning of Christmas with Schumann and Kodaly. Also included in the program is Messiaen's ``Quatuor Pour la Fin du Temps,'' which the great artist wrote while imprisoned during World War II. Having premiered before prisoners of war in 1941, the tunes come back to life this season.
At 8 p.m., fun jazz pieces ride the Yule-tide, with Bach's ``Rudolph the Red Nosed Rein Deer'' and ``Jingle Bells.'' Yang and the ensemble will also stage timeless melodies by Gershwin, Piazzola and Morricone.
Clarinetist Romain Guyot, pianist Hiroaki Yamaguchi, violinist Natsumi Tamai, marimba player Kim Eun-hye, harpist Ahn Seong-hyun and double bassist Jur Yu-hee will also take the stage.
Tickets for both concerts cost 30,000 won; you can attend the two for 50,000 won. Call 6303-1919.
Lim Hyung-joo's Christmas Concert:
Lim Hyung-joo's latest album ``Eternal Memory'' is currently topping charts, and the crossover tenor will dazzle fans onstage with a Christmas concert, Dec. 24-25 at Goyang Aram Opera House.
The 21-year-old popera star will sing thoroughly classic Christmas melodies, ``Silent Night,'' ``O Holy Night'' and tunes from his latest album such as ``Scarborough Fair,'' ``Only Love,'' ``Yesterday'' and ``Without You.''
Joining Lim onstage are the 25-member Korean Post Chamber Orchestra and five-member jazz/crossover group Big Band.
Lim is has performed all over the world, from New York's Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center) to the Mirabell Palace Marble Hall in Salzburg. He is the youngest artist to sing the Korean national anthem at President Roh Moo-hyun's inauguration ceremony in 2001, and in 2005, was voted by netizens as one of the 30 Wonder Korean Artists, alongside soprano Sumi Jo and designer Andre Kim.
Tickets cost 33,000-110,000 won. Call 1577-7766.