Lindenbaum Music Festival
Concert Hall and Recital Hall of Seoul Arts Center*, Xi Gallery and Korea National University of Arts (* See venues for more information)
Through July 5
The Lindenbaum Music Festival is being held for the second time since it was launched in 2009 for supporting young, talented musicians. Renowned conductor Charles Dutoit and some of the world’s best musicians including pianist Paik Kun-woo will take part. The event is divided into three parts: the Orchestra Academy, Chamber Orchestra Music Concert and Orchestra Concert. Tickets cost 30,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, visit www.lbmf.or.kr or www.facebook.com/lindenbaum2010, or call (02) 720-1013.
Wiener Staatsoper Ensemble Concert
Guro Arts Valley Theater
July 5
Under art director Thomas Lang, the 20-strong world’s top opera ensemble is performing in Korea. The program includes “Libiamo” from “La Traviata”, “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot”, “Habanera” from “Carmen” and a parody “Es lebt eine Vilja” from “The Merry Widow.” Tickets cost 20,000 to 40,000 won. Call (02) 2029-1700~1 or visit www.guroartsvalley.or.kr. Located near exit 2 of Sindorim Station on subway line 1 or exit 4 of Daerim Station of subway line 2.
Lee Mi-sun Percussion Recital
Chamber Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
July 28
Lee Mi-sun, a graduate of the master’s course at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, is holding a concert. Lee has actively participated as a member of international orchestras and ensembles and there is no doubt in her ability as a soloist. “Funny Walk” by Wohrlin, “Escape for Percussion Trio” by Cox, “Schwaezer Marsch” by Schmeider and “Rhapsody for Solo Percussion and Orchestra” by Rosauro will be played. Tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-0945.
Summer Classics
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
July 30, 31
MC Oh Sang-jin will give explanations on the musical instruments used, as well as the special features of each movement, and listeners’ etiquette. The program is divided into two parts including Tchaikovsky’s “Valse des Fleurs” from “The Nutcracker,” Verdi’s “Libiamo ne’lieti calici” from “La Traviata,” and Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra Op.34.” Tickets cost from 5,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1145.
1st Summer Lecture Concert for Youth
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*; Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex*
July 24, 31
Flutist Kim Mi-hi, the first foreigner to become a national professor in France, and powerful female conductor Abe Kanako will deliver beautiful pieces such as “Piccolo Concerto in C major, RV.443” by A.L. Vivaldi, “Flute Concerto No.2 in D major, K.314” by W.A. Mozart, “Airs Valaques for Flute and Orchestra, Op.10 ” by F. Doppler, and “Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92.” Tickets cost from 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, call (02)580-1300 or 1577-7766.
Sejong Nanum Ensemble The 2nd Regular Concert
July 3
Seoul Arts Center is holding a concert to fund its orchestra composed of unprivileged children and teenagers. Sejong Nanum Ensemble was created in 2008 for the purpose of supporting the community. The program includes Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37,” Grieg’s “Holberg Suite,” and the song “You Raise Me Up.” All seats cost 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114.
Pavlo’s Band from Toronto
Grand Theater, Sejong Arts Center*
July 29
“The Greek god of guitar,” Pavlo is performing in Korea with his band members ― George Vasilakos on bouzouki and guitar, Gino Mirizio on percussion, and Randy Rodrigues on bass guitar. Pavlo has won “Greek Man of the Year” two years running in 2006 and 2007, awarded by Top Choice Awards and his has sold half-a-million records. Tickets cost 30,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.bravocomm.co.kr.
Carissa Kim Piano Recital
Chamber Hall, Sejong Arts Center*
July 10
Rising young pianist Carissa Kim is holding her first recital in Korea. The winner of many prizes including the Mu Phi Epsilon competition, Spotlight Award Competition, and LA Korea Times Piano competition, Kim is currently attending New York’s Julliard School of Music for her master’s degree. The program includes Mozart’s “Piano Sonata No.13 in B-flat major K.333,” Chopin’s “Ballade No.4 Op.52 f-moll,” and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Tickets cost 5,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1887.
2010 Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo in Seoul
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
July 15
Two young artists from Korea and Japan, pianist Kim Tae-hyung and conductor Kentaro Kawase, will perform pieces by Beethoven. The program features “Coriolan Overture, Op.62,” “Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op.58,” and “Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op.92.”Tickets cost 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino
Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex*
July 14
Tune into a boys’ choir from Belgium, Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino. The world-class choir was appointed as a culture ambassador of Europe and the choir has toured 46 countries for the past 50 years. This will be its fifth concert in Korea since 2005, and the repertoire features “Zadok the Priest,” “Gloria” in D major, “Qui tolllis peccata mundi” and “Cum Sancto Spiritu.” Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766.
Chang Han-na’s ‘Absolute Classic’
Seongnam Arts Center *
Aug. 14-28
Cello virtuoso and debutant conductor Chang Han-na will hold the 2010 season of “Absolute Classic,” an international music festival for youths. This year, her teacher, world famous Maestro Lorin Maazel, will participate in the event. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 70,000 won. Call (02) 2232-1148.
Opera ‘Carmen’
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center *
July 3-7
The Beseto Opera will stage Bizet’s popular opera “Carmen” as part of the 1st Korea Opera Festival. Mezzo-sopranos Choi Seung-hyeon from Korea and Galia Ibragimova from the Czech Republic will play Carmen. Co-produced with the Prague State Opera, this rendition was shown in the Czech Republic. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 3476-6224.
Rodin: Retrospective
Seoul Museum of Art
Through Aug. 22
More than 180 sculptures and watercolor sketches are on show at Korea’s largest ever Auguste Rodin exhibition. Admission is 12,000 won, for more information visit www.rodinseoul.com. Located behind Deoksugung Palace near City Hall Station on subway lines 1 and 2.
The Pulitzer Prize Picture Exhibition
Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through Aug. 29
Over 100 pictures that won the Pulitzer Prize, the Nobel Prize of the media world, are on display. The photographs tell stories in history and everyday life reflecting happiness, anger, sadness and joy by capturing critical moments. Tickets cost from 6,000 won to 10,000. Visit pulitzerkorea.com.
White Porcelain Jars: Embracing Joseon Ideals and Rituals
Fine Arts Gallery II, National Museum of Korea
Through Nov. 14
The exhibition is designed to show off the unique features of the Joseon ceramics through its jars. Such jars as the placenta jar, burial ware and jar with dragon motif were created for specific purposes with the unique culture and the aesthetic of the Joseon royal family at work only within the court. Located at Ichon Station on subway line 4, exit 2.
A Night with Roland Petit
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center*
July 15-18
Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC) presents “A Night with Roland Petit.” Petit is one of the most famous dancers and choreographers and has shown his works at main theaters in Europe and Hollywood. The performance includes “L’Arlesienne,” “Le jeune home et la mort,” and “Carmen.” Tickets cost 5,000 to 120,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300.
Baby: Battle B-boy
Hongdae B-boy Theater
Open run
This energetic break dance show is a spectacle with a great story. An unskilled B-boy, Han, is an outcast. But one day, his life changes when he learns Korean traditional dance from a lovely young girl. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 323-5233. Located near exit 5 of Hongik University station on line 2.
This Is Modern
Universal Arts Center
July 16-18
Universal Ballet will bring a captivating performance of Heinz Spoerli’s “All Shall Be,” William Forsythe’s “In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated” and Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 7.” The troupe will entertain for 100 minutes with a dance battle and a wild dance party. Tickets cost 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7124-1740 or visit www.uac.co.kr. Located near exit 4 of Achasan Station on line 5.
Legend of Flower
Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, Walkerhill Theatre
Open Run
Experience both traditional and modern music through this dance production. The performance will feature four acts under the themes “Flower,” “Water and Fire,” “Wind” and “Golden Earth.” Tickets cost from 60,000 to 300,000 won, including dinner. Visit www.legendofflower.com or call (02)455-5000. Take the free shuttle bus at Gangbyeon Station, line 2, or Gwangnaru Station, line 5.
Danny Jung, 11 am
The first Korean saxophonist to be listed on the Billboard chart, Danny Jung will cool down the summer heat with various offerings including pop songs that Koreans love. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Lee has worked with many Korean celebrities such as soprano Sumi Jo and a legendary rock star Seo Tai-ji. Tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766.
2010 Bobby Kim Tour Concert
Incheon Culture & Arts Center
July 11
Bobby Kim is holding a nationwide tour with a stopover in Incheon. The rapper/singer will perform songs from his three solo albums as well as tracks by other artists. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 88,000 won. Call (032) 322-1544. To get there, transfer to Incheon Metro at Bupyeong Station on line 1, and get off at Incheon Culture & Arts Center Station Gate, exits 6 and 7.
Hoyoung 2 Ocean
KT&G Sangsang Art Hall
July 8-25
Under the theme of “vacation,” pop star Son Ho-young is holding a concert. This is his second time to perform in a small theater, and various themes such as mountains and oceans will add more variety and fun to the show. Tickets cost 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3404-4314 or visit www.sangsangarthall.com. Located near exit number 2 of Samseong Station on line 2.
Summer IS+land
Amphitheater, Yonsei Culture and Art Center
July 24
Korea’s top pop artists SG Wannabe, MC Mong, Min Kyung-hoon, Shin Jung-hwan and Maybee will hold a joint concert. Each singer will not only have his/her own stage, but also work with other participating artists to add more excitement to the show. Tickets cost 55,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555. Located near exits 3 and 4 of Sinchon Station on line 2.
Menopause
“Menopause the Musical” originally written by Jeanie Linders is now in Korea featuring famous comedian Lee Young-Ja and musical stars Hong Ji-min, Kim Sook and Hye Eun-yee. Four women with seemingly nothing in common meet by chance in a department store and they talk about the symptoms of menopause in a witty manner. Tickets cost 10,000 to 35,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766.
The Phantom of the Opera
Charlotte Theater
Through Aug. 8
This Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is one of the world’s best-selling Broadway hits and has prompted huge growth in the Korean musical industry. The show, featuring a dark love triangle, has returned to Seoul after eight years. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 130,000 won. Call (02) 501-7888. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway lines 2 and 8.
Billy Elliot
LG Arts Center*
Aug. 13- Open Run
The musical “Billy Elliot” will be staged in Korea as the first non-English production in Asia. In England during the historic 1984-85 miners’ strike, a young boy Billy pursues his dream to become a ballerino in secret. Tickets cost from 50,000 to 130,000 won. Call (02) 3446-9630.
The Mission
Through July 6
Based on the original screenplay by Robert Bolt and music by Andrea and Ennio Morricone, “The Mission” is set in South America and depicts the journey of Catholic Jesuit priests in converting the indigenous Guarani population in Paraguay. Tickets cost from 60,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 525-1621.
Jack the Ripper
Seongnam Arts Center*
July 22- August 22
Reproduced by the Musical Company, “Jack the Ripper,” originally created by musical author Vaso Patejdl and libretto by Ivan Hejna, will be performed in Korea. Based on a true story from London, 1888, the case of a cruel serial killer remains unsolved and the show unveils the truth behind the case through the investigation. Tickets cost 30,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, visit www.jacktheripper.co.kr or call (031) 783-8000.
A Chorus Line
COEX Artium
A Korean rendition of the award-winning Broadway musical “A Chorus Line” has been produced in collaboration with the original creative team. It is directed and choreographed by Baayork Lee with a cast of local musical actors. Tickets cost from 60,000 won to 100,000 won. Visit www.achorusline.co.kr or call (02) 747-5811. Located near exit 6 of Samseong Station on subway line 2.