Weekender Opera with a cinematic touch

By Lee Hyo-won

Physical distance is less critical in this digital age, as cultural content ― including even live stage work ― can easily reach fans on the other side of the globe through the screen.

In 2003, rocker David Bowie’s live London concert attracted full-house audiences in Sydney via a satellite transmission, while fans across Japan will be able to tune into K-pop band Kara’s Seoul fan meeting in real time on June 11 through a similar channel.

Opera buffs no longer need to be seated at the New York Lincoln Center to enjoy the latest Metropolitan Opera productions. The troupe’s award-winning series “The Met: Live in HD” broadcasts specially produced transmissions for some 2.2 million international viewers in over 40 countries including Korea.

“The program was developed as a way to reach existing audiences and to introduce new audiences to opera through new technology,” said the Met Opera on its website.

The screenings are designed to recreate the experience of attending a live performance. Some 10 cameras are employed in the production to offer multiple points of view including close-ups. Minimal lighting adjustments are made in the process, providing thus the closest thing you can get to the real-life experience. The high-definition visuals are processed at 4K resolution, producing some four times the number of pixels featured in an average movie.

The audio is engineered and delivered in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound ― “It is the next best audio experience to be in the opera house itself,” said the Met.

One of the perks of the program is that it features interviews with artists and other behind-the-scenes footages.

The program was inspired by Bowie’s abovementioned concert but is now the subject of benchmarking. Other theaters such as the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, which is particularly famous for its ballet productions, announced plans last October to launch a similar broadcasting program.

CGV Theater, one of the country’s largest cinema chains, is among 800-plus theaters around the world screening the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning transmissions, and the service is also available at a state-of-the-art concert hall and also as part of a hotel brunch program.

All three venues offer works from the Met’s 2010-2011 season but at different times.

CGV offers screenings three times a week at its Apgujeong branch in southern Seoul. At 25,000 won, it’s relatively expensive than watching a movie (around 8,000 won) but a pretty good deal compared to the cost of flying to New York to attend one of the $200 performances.

“Watching stage work on the movie screen is a big topic and trend in the international performing arts scene,” said Kang Gyeong-ho, head of programming at CGV.

“CGV took the opportunity to offer the chance to watch top tier productions for both opera fans. It’s also a great alternative for those who are hesitant about watching such performances due to the high cost since admission is about one tenth of an original Met Opera ticket.”

Screenings are offered at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit www.cgv.co.kr (Event section) for more information.

This month, fans can check out something modern, John Adams’ “Nixon in China,” which premiered in London in 1987. Korean-American soprano Kathleen Kim pushes the limits of her coloratura voice as Mao Zedong’s wife, Jiang Ching.

These screenings allow viewers for much on popcorn and other cinema treats during the show, which usually last for at least three hours. But sitting in an actual concert hall also provides for a unique opera-going experience.

Hoam Art Hall, a small theater with stellar acoustics that usually caters to chamber performances, offers screenings about four times a month. The program changes monthly.

This month, Donizetti’s “Luci di Lammermoor” will be shown this Saturday, Sunday and June 6. There will be no screenings after this until September. The program will resume with Rossini’s “Le Comte Ory.”

Tickets for the two-storey hall also cost 25,000 won. Free coffee and tea are served during intermission. Visit www.hoamarthall.org for more information.

The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill offers a special program that enables fans to learn about featured works over a tasty brunch.

Music critics join the session to offer commentaries about the work in between screenings of highlight scenes _ thus those wanting to enjoy the full production should head to CGV or Hoam Art Hall.

But the brunch program allows fans to learn background information more in-depth, such as the historical context of the opera and tidbits about the featured artists.

Jang Il-bum, who hosts the popular radio show KBS Classic FM, Yoo Jung-woo, who has lectured at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Academy, and Lee Yong-sook, a music columnist who has penned books on opera, provide the commentaries.

Running two-and-a-half hours, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and weekends, it also allows a more relaxing opera-viewing experience complete with champagne.

The latest menu features mini club sandwiches and mozzarella finger sandwiches with salad at the side. Tiramisu with pear comfit and chocolate are served as dessert along with coffee. The portions are rather small and admission is on the higher side (60,000 won), but the program adds special to the typical hotel brunch.

This month, fans can enjoy Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” this Sunday, June 21 and June 28, and Verdi’s “Don Carlos” on June 7 and 14. Call (02) 455-4880 for more information.