The Four Cellists
Busan Citizen’s Hall, Keimyung Art Center, Seoul Arts Center*
June 24-26
Four cellists, Korea’s Young Song (Song Young-hoon), China’s Li-Wei, Switzerland’s Joel Marosi and Sweden’s Claes Gunnarsson, will tour Busan (June 24), Daegu (June 25) and Seoul (June 26). The virtuosos will perform not only standard classics but also tango and contemporary pieces featured on film soundtracks. Tickets cost 33,000 to 100,000 won. For more information call (02) 2658-3546.
Bolshoi Theatre Soloists Gala Concert
Seoul Arts Center*
July 1
An opera gala will be held featuring soloists of Moscow’s famed Bolshoi Theatre; soprano Lolitta Semenina, mezzo-soprano Svetlana Shilova, tenor Oleg Dolgov and bass Mikhail Kazakov. The Russian theater’s conductor-in-residence Pavel Sorokin will conduct the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra in staple operatic arias as well as Korean and Russian folk songs. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information call (02)-2650-7481.
Arts Meet Opera
Chungmu Art Hall
June 21
A special opera gala will bring artists with different vocal styles. Soprano Kim Soo-yeon, a judge on the talent show “Operastar 2011,” award-winning tenor Ha Man-taek and musical actress Kim So-hyun will come together onstage. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information call (02) 2658-3546.
Opera ‘Madame Butterfly’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
A Korea-Japan co-production of Puccini’s tragic melodrama will hit the stage. Korean soprano Lee Hyun-sook and Japanese vocalist Ando Fumiko will share the lead role of Cio-Cio San. Maurizo di Mattia, known for his work in Rome and Verona, will direct while Giovanni Battista Rigon, also from Italy, will conduct the Insieme Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets cost 30,000 to 270,000 won. For more information call (02) 597-1950~2.
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.
George Winston Solo Piano Concert
June 30
New age pianist-composer George Winston will hold a concert in Seoul. Many of the musician’s melodic pieces are self-described as rural folk piano or folk piano, which is a style he developed in 1971 in order to complement the uptempo stride piano. Tickets cost 30,000 to 120,000 won. For more information call (02)-548-4480.
2011 Classical Frontier Series
Kumho Art Hall
Through June 23
Korean wind instrumentalists take the stage once a week from June 9 to 23 as part of Kumho Art Hall’s “Beautiful Thursday” series. It is a rare opportunity for fans to hear chamber performances comprising of wind instruments including the oboe (Lee Yoon-jung), bassoon (Kwak Jung-sun) and horn (Lee Seok-joon). Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02) 6303-7700.
Paik Kun-woo and Liszt
June 19-25
Maestro Paik Kun-woo will hold a two-part concert in celebration of the bicentennial of Franz Liszt. The thematic program will feature select works from his 1982 “All-Liszt” series in Paris, including works inspired by literature such as the “Dante Sonata,” the meditative “Sursum Corda” and the epic B minor Sonata. Tickets cost 50,000 to 120,000 won. For more information call (02)-741-1763~5.
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 its 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.
Korea Opera Festival
June 23-July 24
The Korea National Opera team and other top local troupes will hold the 2nd edition of the festival, featuring select works. The lineup includes classic Italian pieces such as Bellini’s “The Puritans” and Puccini’s “Tosca,”as well as two homegrown operas gae” and “Memil-kkot-pil-muryup.” Family audiences can also tune into the children-friendly show “Siegfried’s Sword.” Tickets cost 20,000 to 150,000 won. For more information call (02) 586-5282, (063) 288-6807, (054) 453- 9926.
Yim Jae-bum
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park*
June 25-26
Rocker Yim Jae-bum will kick off a cross-country tour beginning with concerts in Seoul. The veteran artist made a big comeback through the MBC talent show “I Am a Singer” and has touched viewers with his charismatic energy and voice. He will sing his signature tracks including “Neoreulwihae” (For You) and “Besang” as well as songs he recently presented on the TV program. Tickets cost 88,000 to 121,000 won. For more information call 1544-1555.
Linkin Park
Sept. 8
American rock band Linkin Park will visit Korea for the third time after sellout concerts in 2003 and 2007. The upcoming performance will feature works from the group’s fourth album “A Thousand Suns,” which was released in 2010. The Grammy Award-wining, six-member band also celebrates the 15th year since its debut this year. Tickets cost 99,000 to 110,000 won. For more information call (02) 3141-3488.
Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum
National Museum of Korea
Through Aug. 28
The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the collection of luxurious treasures enjoyed by the ruling class of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection is from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which is renowned for holding world-class decorative Baroque and Rococo artworks. The items range from painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, metals, furniture and textiles, as well as garments and accessories to prints and drawings. A total of 101 articles which were carefully selected for the exhibition were mostly made by top-class artisans of the time at the request of powerful and wealthy nobles. For more information call (02) 2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.
Tea, Incense, and Carrying the Soul: Longquan Ware from the Sinan Wreck
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 traditional Korean “gugak” music. The exhibition displays precious sheet music, books, pictures, and instruments on loan from 28 museums. Located near exit 2 of Ichon station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 2077-9459.
Golden Striker Trio Live in Seoul
Yonsei University
Top jazz group Golden Striker Trio will tour Korea for the first time. The famous drum-less ensemble comprises of bassist Ron Carter, guitarist Russell Malone and pianist Mulgrew Miller, who have collaborated with jazz legends such as Chet Baker and Bob James. Tickets cost 88,000 to 132,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Sinchon station on subway line 2. For more information call (02) 3143-5155.
Reader’s Poll Concert
LIG Art Hall
June 24-25
The Reader’s Poll Concert is a special showcase featuring top musicians selected by 3,000 jazz fans. Pianist Lee Ji-young, bassist Lee Soon-yong, drummer Seo Deok-won, guitarist Park Joo-won, saxophonist Kim Ji-seok and vocalist Hye-won are slated to perform their signature work. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For more information call 1544-3922.
Son Ho-young
June 29-July 3
Son Ho-young, a former member of the K-pop group g.o.d., will hold a concert, “Hoyoung 2 Ocean season 2.” He will showcase new musical styles he has developed with vocal trainer Park Sun-joo, including singing to a piano performance. All tickets cost 77,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information call (02)-3485-8700.
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 of Dongguk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information call 070-8613-5903.
1st Ballet Festival Korea
June 18-28
The inaugural edition of the Ballet Festival Korea, the first government-backed event of its kind, will be held in Seoul. Top ensembles will stage their staple repertoires, including “Swan Lake” by the Korea National Ballet, “Giselle” by the Universal Ballet Company, “Empress Myeongseong” by the Gwangju City Ballet and “Life Is” by Seoul Ballet Theatre. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information call (02)-587-6183.
Sensual Difference & Origin
Wonderspace Nemo Theater
July 3-4
The 6th Physical Theatre Festival in Seoul 2011 features two special dance performances. “Sensual Difference” produced by the Y Movement Factory and “Origin” by the Strange Dance Company. Both concentrate on sensitive and powerful physical movements by their dancers. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information call (02)-6711-1400, (02)-764-7462 or search https://www.wonderspace.co.kr.
Please Look After Mom
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 family members realize the importance of their mother after losing her. Tickets cost 30,000 to 90,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information call (02) 577-1987 or (02) 2230-6601.
Hedwig
KT&G SangSang Art Hall
Through 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 of Samseong Station on subway line 2. For more information call 1544-1555.
Asian Sweets
Daehangno Art Theater
June 30-July 14
“Asian Sweets,” a play written by Chong Wishing, is a story that spotlights the lives of social minorities and outcasts. Humanist concerns paradoxically criticize the meaning of love and show how family and social structures are becoming increasingly disjointed. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 3668-0029.
Audition
Art-one Theater
Through July 24
Korea’s first homegrown concert musical “Audition” is a steady seller in Daehangno, and is restaged featuring a new cast, including Moon Hee-jun, former member of K-pop group H.O.T., and setting. 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.