Classic Operas to Sweep Seoul

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff Reporter

With the autumn leaves painting hills yellow and orange, it's no time for a Spanish siesta. Yet operagoers in Seoul can taste two slightly different flavors of Spain through opera this fall ― Spain's Teatro Real version of Verdi's ``La Traviata'' and Bizet's Spanish love story ``Carmen'' brought to life by top domestic talent.

Pier Luigi Pizzi's `La Traviata'

The Korea Opera has invited celebrated Italian director Pier Luigi Pizzi, 77, to stage ``La Traviata,'' at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Nov. 15-18. Pizzi has taken the helm for over 500 operas all over the world for the past 30 years, and will present his fifth production of the Giuseppe Verdi classic here, staged just as it was in Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain.

``Korea and Spain are two countries that are very from one another in both distance and in culture, but in this cultural field it is fascinating that the opera fans in both countries coincide in their love for the work of the great Italian composer,'' wrote Antonio Moral, artistic director of Teatro Real, in a letter to Korea Opera Group.

``Like Verdi's other works, `La Traviata' speaks of love and jealousy, death and salvation, revenge and passion along with other melodramatic elements,'' said Pizzi during a press conference at a Seoul hotel, Tuesday. ``That is why `La Traviata' is staged time over time all over the world.''

Indeed, ``La Traviata'' was the first ever opera Korea saw in 1948. The beautiful but ill-fated Violetta and the young, handsome Alfredo fall madly in love, but are separated by poverty, misunderstanding and maddening jealousy ― and finally death.

Audiences can look forward to a novel experience, for the original 19th century setting has been transferred to 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris. Pizzi is renowned for employing bold primary colors and minute attention to detail, designing everything from costumes to minor props.

``A few years ago when I was designing `La Traviata,' the traditional costumes suddenly felt fabricated. I changed it to a modern setting in order to eliminate the puffy skirts,'' he said.

In addition to the visually striking stage design, each and every one of the opera singers boasts beautiful appearances. This is part of the director's attention to the visuals.

``It was during a `La Traviata' performance in Venice. The audience thought it was ridiculous that an overweight singer was playing the role of a fragile woman dying of tuberculosis,'' he said.

Rising star soprano Irina Lungu will play the role of Violetta. Lungu had been double cast alongside world star Angela Gheorghiu for the production of ``La Traviata'' in Madrid's La Scala, and this time she will share the part with Elena Rossi, a popular singer who is frequently cast in Pizzi's work.

``I'd like to invite Koreans to the world of Italian melodrama,'' said Pizzi. He added that he has a habit of observing the facial expressions of the audience after the curtains close, so operagoers may be able to spot a watchful Pizzi at the Sejong Center.

Tickets cost 30,000-310,000 won. Various discounts are available: 10 percent off for Seoul Arts Center members; 50 percent off for the physically disabled and one guest; 20 percent off for groups of 20 or more and 15 percent off for 15 or more people. For tickets, call (02) 587-1950~2, 1588-7890, 1544-1555. Or visit www.ticketlink.co.kr, ticket.interpark.com.