World Orchestra Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* (See venues for more information)
July 27
For the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War (1950-53), musicians from U.N. member nations that helped South Korea will come together in concert. Christoph Poppen will conduct the group of musicians from Korea, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Greece and Italyamong others for Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Prokofiev’s “Ode to the End of the War,” Mahler’s “Symphony No.5” and Brahms’ “Symphony No.2.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.
2010 SAC Youth Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
July 17
Start an exciting music journey with conductor Sung Ki-sun, pianist/commentator Julius Jeongwon Kim and the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra. They will deliver scores by Schumann including “Piano Concerto in A minor” and “Symphony No.3 ‘Rhein’” (1st, 2nd and 5th mov.). Tickets cost 10,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
Lee Mi-sun Percussion Recital
Chamber Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
July 28
Lee Mi-sun has actively participated as a member of international orchestras and ensembles and there is no doubt in her ability as a soloist. She will play “Funny Walk” by Wohrlin, “Escape for Percussion Trio” by Cox, “Schwaezer Marsch” by Schmeider and “Rhapsody for Solo Percussion and Orchestra” by Rosauro with marimba and others. Tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-0945.
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 charismatic female conductor Abe Kanako will deliver beautiful pieces such as “Piccolo Concerto in C major, RV.443” by Vivaldi, “Flute Concerto No.2 in D major, K.314” by Mozart, “Airs Valaques for Flute and Orchestra, Op.10 ” by Doppler and “Symophony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92” by Beethoven. Tickets cost from 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, call (02)580-1300 or 1577-7766.
Solist Bridge Ensemble’s Korean Song Festival
Concert Hall, Seongnam Arts Center*
July 20
Solist Bridge Ensemble, a professional singers’ group for supporting local cultural development, presents the Korean Song Festival featuring well-known local tunes music “Kyung Bok Kung Taryeong” and “Namchon.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 581-5404 or visit www.jyoungeum.com. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station of the Bundang Line.
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, and the special features of each movement as well as listeners’ etiquette. The program is divided into two parts including Tchaikovsky’s “Valse des Fleurs” from “The Nutcracker,” Verdi“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.
Carissa Kim Piano Recital
Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
July 10
Rising young pianist Carissa Kim is holding her first recital in Korea. She is the winner of many prizes including the Mu Phi Epsilon competition, Spotlight Award Competition and The Los Angeles Korea Times Piano competition. The program includes Mozart’s “Piano Sonata No.13 in B-flat major, K.333,” Chopin’s “Ballad No.4 in F minor, Op.52” 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
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
The world-class choir from Belgium 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
Cellist 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.
A Night at the Opera
July 16
Soprano Hong Hei-kyung and tenor Kim Woo-kyung, the first Asian singers to play lead roles at the New York Metropolitan Opera, will perform operatic jewels including Mozart’s “Deh vieni, non tardar” from “Le Nozze Di Figaro,” Gounod’s “Je veux vivre” from “Romeo and Juliette,” Puccini’s “Mi chaiamano Mimi” from “La Boheme” and Verdi’s “Ah, la paterna mano” from “Macbeth.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit wenetwork.net or call (02) 516-1555.
Calligraphy and History
Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum
July 20-Aug. 31
To mark the 100th anniversary of the forced annexation of Korea by Japan, Seoul Arts Center presents a historical exhibition through calligraphy. Tickets cost 2,000 to 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
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 Kingdom (1392-1910) 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.
Danny Jung, 11 a.m.
July 29
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.
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.
Hoyoung 2 Ocean
KT&G Sangsang Art Hall
Through July 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.
A Night with Roland Petit
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center*
July 15-18
The Korea National Ballet will present “A Night with Roland Petit” featuring three works by the French master dancer-choreographer. The performance includes “L’Arlesienne (The Woman of Arles)” which evokes Vincent van Gogh paintings and two femme fatale romances “Le jeune home et la mort (The Young Mand and Death)” and “Carmen,” the latter of which is based on the Bizet opera. Tickets cost 5,000 to 120,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300.
This is Modern
Universal Arts Center
July 16-18
The Universal Ballet Company will bring captivating modern ballet performances including 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.
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.
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.
Menopause
“Menopause” the musical, originally written by Jeanie Linders, is coming to local theaters. The local rendition will feature 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. For more information, call (02) 3446-9630.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
M Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
July 17-Aug. 28
Shakespeare’s play “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” will be staged as a musical. The love comedy deals portrays a conflict between friendship and love as two friends, Valentine and Proteus, fall in love with the same woman. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114.
Jack the Ripper
Seongnam Arts Center*
July 22-Aug. 22
A reproduction of “Jack the Ripper” will be offered for Korean fans. It is based on a true series of cruel muder cases in 1888 London. Though the actual case remains unsolved, the musical unveils the truth behind the mystery. 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
The Korean rendition of the award-winning Broadway musical, produced in collaboration with the original creative team, is now showing. It is directed and choreographed by Baayork Lee. 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.