By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Chung Myung-whun, offers fans timeless classics at an affordable price this week through an opera concertante and a charity concert.
The ensemble will perform Verdi's opera ``La Traviata'' in concertante form at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Friday. Singers and the orchestra will present the essential music and story but forgo the fancy stage sets, giving fans thus an opportunity to enjoy the opera live but more within your means (tickets cost from 10,000 to 70,000 won).
The focus is naturally on the music. Chung, a former music director of Paris' famed Bastille Opera, will exhibit his interpretation of the melodrama, while top singers will showcase their talent. Particularly notable is the appearance of soprano Marina Poplavskaya in the lead role as Violetta. A Los Angeles Times critic praised the Russian singer in the role, saying ``It won't be long before her fees hit the ceiling; she is a major sensation.''
Fans can also look forward to performances by two rising male singers, tenor Daniil Shtoda as Alredo and baritone Vassily Gerello as Germont. The Seoul Metropolitan Chorus will join the main cast.
At 10:30 a.m. the same day, Maestro Chung will give a master class about opera for elementary school children as part of Seoul City's outreach program. Top Korean opera singers will join the conductor for the 70-minute session. In addition to talks about Mozart's beloved comic opera ``The Magic Flute,'' young participants will be able to hear live, narrated renditions of music from the piece.
On Sunday, the Seoul Philharmonic will give the second of its four-part charity concert ``Heemang (Hope) Dream.'' Chung does not receive a performance fee, and all proceeds from the first event in March, some 34 million won, went to the Seoul Welfare Foundation.
Proceeds from the upcoming concert will be donated to NOW Start 2009, an education program for needy children. To attract more participants, ticket prices have been lowered to cost between 5,000 and 20,000 won. At the Sejong Center, CDs, piggy banks and other items will be sold to raise additional funds.
The program features the Overture of Verdi's ``La Forza del Destino'' and Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68.
The Sejong Center is located in Jongno, near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information about the concerts and lecture, call (02) 3700-6300.