Ennio Morricone 50th Anniversary
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts* (See ‘Venues’ on right for more information)
May 16-18
Ennio Morricone will kick off celebrations for the 50th anniversary of his debut as a composer with three concerts in Seoul. The prolific composer is best known for cinema music scores for “Mission” and “Cinema Paradiso.” He will conduct orchestral scores featuring solos by soprano Susanna Rigaci and pianist Gilda Butta. Tickets cost 40,000 to 220,000 won. Call (02) 332-3277 for bookings in English.
2011 Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*, Seoul Arts Center*
Through May 22
The Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music, which was launched in 2006 under the auspices of Seoul City, has become one of the region’s top classical music events. Under the theme “Pianissimo,” the festival showcases a variety of piano pieces including those featuring dance and the pianoforte, the 18th-century predecessor to the modern instrument. Tickets cost 10,000 to 40,000 won. For more information call (02) 720-3933.
Bass Youn Kwang-chul in Recital
Hoam Art Hall*
May 26, 28
Praised by The New York Times as “standing small, singing big, all sulfur and zest,” bass Youn Kwang-chul will hold two recitals. The internationally acclaimed singer will perform music by Robert Schumann as well as classical Korean songs. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For more information call (02) 751-9607~10.
Noridan Eco-music Orchestra
National Museum of Contemporary Art
May 14
The Noridan Eco-music Orchestra recycles car wheels, pipes and other objects into musical instruments, giving its concert experience a green spin. Concertgoers can look forward to seeing the Sprocket, an instrument-vehicle that can move around freely with manpower. Admission is free of charge. Located near exit 4 at Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 2188-6062.
ECO de Primavera
May 17
Centro de Cooperacion Cultural entre Espana y Corea will host a concert in celebration of the 61st anniversary of bilateral ties between Korea and Spain. The annual event will be held for the fourth time since 2008. The program will feature an eclectic mixture of Spanish classical music and Korean modern jazz. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 720-3933.
SUJI Opera ‘La Traviata’
Seoul Arts Center*
May 27-29
SUJI Opera, led by artistic director Suji Park, will stage Verdi’s opera “La Traviata.” Mariella Devia, an Italian soprano known for performing many roles in the bel canto repertoire, will play the tragic heroine Violetta. Roberto Gianola will conduct. Tickets cost 30,000 to 300,000 won. For more information call (02) 542-0350.
Beautiful Thursday Concert: Gustav Mahler’s Music
Kumho Art Hall
Through May 26
For the centennial of Gustav Mahler’s death, concerts are being held for three weeks starting from May 12 with the theme “Revival of Mahler.” The lineup includes premier local artists including TIMF Ensemble, baritone Park Heung-woo, pianist Shin Soo-jung and the Kumho Asiana Soloists. Tickets cost 8,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exits 1, 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02) 6303-7700.
DITTO Festival
Seoul Arts Center, Hoam Art Hall*
June 23-July 3
Popular all-male chamber ensemble Ditto, led by violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, will hold its annual summer festival. This year’s event will feature three programs: “Sharing Classical Music with Everybody,” “Worldwide Classical Rising Star and Various Attractive Program” and “Innovation and Inspiration, the 21st Century Interactive Classical Music Performance.” Pianist Lim Dong-hyek and violinist Shin Hyun-su will perform as special guests. Tickets cost 20,000 to 100,000 won. For more information call 1577-5266.
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
May 31-June 1
The Czech Republic’s oldest ensemble, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, will give concerts in Seoul. Petr Vronsky will conduct the orchestra opposite pianist Konstantin Scherbakov for Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Tickets cost 50,000 to 200,000 won. For more information call (02) 3463-2466.
KBS Symphony Orchestra ‘Remembering Gustav Mahler’
KBS Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
May 26-27
The KBS Symphony Orchestra will invite Hahm Shinik to conduct its Master Series concert dedicated to Mahler. The orchestra will perform “Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen” and Symphony No. 2 in C minor, ‘Resurrection.’” Tickets cost 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information call (02) 781-2237, 2241~4.
Varekai, Cirque du Soleil
Big Top Theater, Jamsil Stadium
Through May 29
The third visit of Cirque du Soleil to Korea, “Varekai,” is performed with vivid stage effects, music and stories of Icarus from Greek mythology. This exotic fusion of drama and acrobatics consist of 14 circus shows that go beyond one’s expectations. Tickets cost 60,000 to 220,000 won. Located near exit 5 and 6 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information call (02) 541-6235.
Ken Cowen’s ‘Dancing Pipes’
June 18
Every summer since 2008 the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts has been inviting world-famous musicians to play the large pipe organ. This year, reputed North American artist Ken Cowen will hold a recital with violinist Kim Nam-yoon. Ahead of the performance Cowen will give a special lecture on his music. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 399-1114~6.
Maroon 5 Concert
Seoul Olympic Gymnastic Stadium and Busan KBS Hall
May 25, 26
A pop band with an international following including many Korean fans, Maroon 5 will hold concerts in both Seoul and Busan. The band will present tracks from its third studio album “Hands All Over” in the performance, which is the 14th of Hyundai Card’s Super Concert series. Tickets cost 77,000 to 121,000 won. Seoul Olympic Gymnastic Stadium is located near exit 3 at Olympic Park Station on subway line 5 and Busan KBS Hall is located near exit 2 at Namcheon Station on subway line 2 in Busan. For more information call (02) 501-7888.
Tea, Incense, and Carrying the Soul: Longquan Ware from the Sinan Wreck
National Museum of Korea
Through June 19
The exhibition showcases the time-honored beauty of Longquan wares recovered from the Sinan shipwreck from March 22 to June 19 at the Sinan Shipwreck Collection Room in the Asia Gallery. It features approximately 90 pieces of Longquan ware, including 20 that have never before been shown to the public. The museum focuses on not only its rare collection of Chinese artifacts but also various offshoot cultures. For more information call (02) 2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.
The Origin and Development of the Korean Traditional Musical Instrument
Through June 26.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the National Gugak Center is holding a special exhibition on Korean traditional “gugak” music. The exhibition displays precious sheet music, books, pictures, and instruments on loan from 28 museums. Located near exit 2 at Ichon station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 2077-9459.
Venice Glass Fantasia
The exhibition is among events featured in the Sejong Center’s Creative Visual Art Festival. Works by world-famous Italian glassmakers from Murano Island, Venice, are on display. Visitors can admire contemporary works by Pino Signorett as well as traditional ones by artists of the Schiavon family. Italian glass art is different from that of northern Europe, since it features blowing techniques rather than carvings. Tickets cost 4,000 to 8,000 won. For more information call (02) 2289-5401.
Wednesday Jazz
Puccini Bar, Seoul Arts Center*
Through July 6
Seoul Arts Center is hosting free concerts every Wednesday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. through July 6. Innovative pianist Kim Ga-on and his friends will showcase jazzy tunes on the orange grand piano at the Opera Theater’s Puccini Bar, providing a sweet lunch break to Seoulites. Performances are free of charge. For more information call (02) 580-1300.
Mongdang-Pencil with Kwon Hae-hyo
Welcomm Theater
Open run
The charity concert series narrated by Kwon Hae-hyo will continue for a yearlong run at the Welcomm Theater. The performances will feature popular actors and musicians such as Winter-play, the Kang San-ae band, Kang Huh-dal-lim, Kim Min-jong, Ahn Chi-hwan and Lee Ji-sang, among others. Proceeds will go to ethnic Korean students in Japan suffering in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 1 at Dongguk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information call 070-8613-5903.
RocKorea Midan City Concert
Midan City
June 4
A wide range of local and foreign bands will gather for an indie rock tribute concert. Korea-based foreign bands such as Lance Reegan-Diehl Band and Mirrorhouse as well as Korean bands, The Rocktigers and Minha Band will play. Tribute bands are also slated to reenact performances of rock legends Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and Guns N’Roses. Tickets cost 20,000 to 40,000 won. For more information call 010-8682-0803.
Keith Jarrett
June 2
Jazz pianist Keith Jarrett will hold a solo concert. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, he has surprised fans and musicians alike with an ever-evolving approach to music, and is expected to delight the local audience with an evening of eclectic improvisations on the keyboard. Tickets cost 50,000 to 180,000 won. Call (02) 399-1114 for more information.
Carmina Burana & B-boy
B-boy team Gambler Crew, which won the 2003 and 2009 editions of Battle of the Year, will give Carl Orff’s classic German cantata “Carmina Burana” a contemporary cross-genre spin. O Se-jong will conduct while soprano Kim Soo-yeon, tenor Kim Dal-jin and baritone Han Myeong-won will perform the cantata. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 399-1779.
Blue Lady
LG Arts Center*
June 9-10
“Blue Lady,”which featured in the 2008 Lyon Dance Biennale, makes its way to Seoul. Famous French art director Carolyn Carlson of CCN Roubaix choreographed the work featuring the Finish dancer Tero Saarinen. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information call (02) 2005-0114.
Audition
Art-one Theater
Through July 24
Korea’s first homegrown concert musical “Audition” has been a steady seller in Daehangno, and is restaged featuring a new cast and setting. Moon Hee-jun, former member of K-pop group H.O.T. stars in this story about youths pursuing their dreams. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2. For more information call (02) 762-0010.
Please Look After Mom
Chungmu Art Hall
The musical is based on celebrated author Shin Kyung-sook’s novel of the same name, which has become a bestseller not only in Korea but also in the United States. The story is dedicated to all the mothers in the world, as it portrays how a family’s members realize the importance of their mother after losing her. Tickets cost 30,000 to 90,000 won. Located near exit 9 at Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information call (02) 577- 1987 or (02) 2230-6601.
Hedwig
KT&G SangSang Art Hall
May 14-Aug. 21
The rock musical is about a failed transgender rock singer from East Germany. The main cast features musical actors Choi Jae-woong and Jo Jung-seok as well as pop group Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan and screen star Kim Jae-wook. Tickets cost 50,000 to 65,000 won. Located near exit 2 at Samsung Station on subway line 2. For more information call 1544-1555.
I’m You
May 17-June 6
“I’m You” draws inspiration from the life of Korean freedom fighter Ahn Jung-geun. But unlike other stories depicting Ahn, this play portrays his more personal side as the father of a family. The piece focuses on Ahn’s relationship with his son, Joon-saeng, to whom he passed on his life philosophies by saying “I’m you.” Popular actor Song-Il-gook will play both Ahn Joong-geun and Joon-saeng. Tickets cost 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information call (02) 580-1300.
Midsummer
Through June 12
The play portrays 35-year-olds who hit an early mid-life crisis, as they realize their limitations and are worried about where their lives are headed. The poignant psychological drama addresses universal themes concerning human conditions and the meaning of hope. Tickets cost 25,000 to 50,000 won. For more information call (02) 580-1300.