By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Video-sharing Web site YouTube has long become a barometer for measuring public reception in arts and entertainment, and some may be surprised to learn that it was not Celine Dion or Sarah Brightman, but Korean-American vocalist Rose Jang who topped rankings for the best rendition of timeless Broadway numbers.
In 2008, she reached No. 1 in the Youtube charts for her silvery interpretation of ``Memory’’ from the musical ``Cats,’’ and her other crossover melodies continue to top various domestic and international music downloading sites such as Melon and Apple's iTunes.
Away from cyberspace, Jang has graced some of the most prestigious events with her solo performances, including the inaugural ceremonies of President Lee Myung-bak and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Games.
Fans will be able to hear Jang perform her signature musical numbers Wednesday evening in Seoul before before she continues on to perform in Shanghai, Beijing and New York.
In addition to ``Memory,’’ the program will include beloved musical numbers such as ``All That Jazz’’ from ``Chicago,’’ ``Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’’ from ``Evita’’ and ``I Dreamed a Dream’’ from ``Les Miserables,’’ among others.
Jang’s wide-ranging repertoire also includes classical scores such as Schubert’s ``Ave Maria’’ and operatic arias, including ``Habanera’’ from ``Carmen.’’
The crossover music feast does not end there; being the only female singer to be designated the official tourism ambassador to South Korea, she will present traditional local songs such as ``Missing Mt. Kumgang’’ and ``Dorajee’’ ― though with a twist.
Jang has rearranged the folk songs for a more contemporary crossover color and translated the lyrics into English. The Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany the diva, and the ensemble will perform ``Dr. Zivago’’ and ``Gabriel’s Oboe’’ as interludes.
Jang began training in voice, piano and violin at age four and early stage debuts included a violin performance at Carnegie Hall when she was 15.
She studied at Smith College, Columbia University and the University of London, Goldsmiths College. She has numerous recordings of crossover and classical numbers under her belt and honors include the Pop Opera Award at the Korea Entertainment and Cultural Awards and the 2009 Most Successful Artist Award at the Seoul Success Awards.
The vocalist also represents Gyeonggi Province and UNESCO’s Chindren of the Performing Arts as honorary ambassador.
Following her performance at Seoul Arts Center, Wednesday evening, Jang will tour the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Beijing Arts Center, and the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall in New York.
Tickets for the Seoul performance cost from 30,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 581-5404.