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.
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.
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
July 14
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, will hold a recital at the Seoul Arts Center. Stephen Cleobury will conduct the group. The program is divided into two thematic parts: the first one focuses on nature-inspired pieces such as Benjamin Britten’s “Five Flower Songs.” while the second focuses on classics such as Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information call (02)-599-5743.
Ditto Festival
Seoul Arts Center*, Hoam Art Hall*
Through July 3
Popular all-male chamber ensemble Ditto, led by violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, holds its annual summer festival. This year’s event features 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 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.
Paik Kun-woo and Liszt
June 25
Maestro Paik Kun-woo will hold the second of his two-part recital in celebration of the bicentennial of Franz Liszt. The thematic program features select works from his 1982 “All-Liszt” series in Paris, including the epic B minor Sonata. Tickets cost 50,000 to 120,000 won. For more information call (02)-741-1763~5.
Daniel Barenboim & WEDO Beethoven Symphony Cycle
Aug 10, 11, 12 and 14
Maestro Daniel Barenboim will lead the West Eastern Divan Orchestra for a special four-part series of concerts featuring the full Beethoven Symphony Cycle. The master pianist-turned-conductor will showcase all nine symphonies by the German composer. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information call (02)-318-4301.
Korea Opera Festival
Through July 24
The Korea National Opera team and other top local troupes are holding 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 see 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.
2011 Kim Yeon-woo Live Tour
Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park (Seoul)
June 24 to Aug. 27
Ballad singer Kim Yeon-woo will kick off a concert tour in Seoul (June 24-26) before moving on to Daejeon, Busan, Suwon, Daegu and Seongnam. After his debut 16 years ago, he has been loved by many fans as well as fellow singers who recognize him as an exceptional vocalist. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5. For more information call (02)-556-5910.
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.
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.
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
Chungmu Art Hall
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.
So Cool Jazz Concert
Guro Arts Valley Theater
July 22-23
Nam Moo-sung, a prolific music critic, author of comic “Jazz It Up” and producer of Korea’s first documentary on the genre, “Bravo! Jazz Life,” oversees the direction of a special summer showcase, “So Cool Jazz.” On the first day of the event, two different jazz groups will take the stage together to mix things up. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Daerim Station on subway lines 2 and 7. For more information call (02)-2029-1700~1.
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
Through June 28
The inaugural edition of the Ballet Festival Korea, the first government-backed event of its kind, is being held in Seoul. Top ensembles 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.
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.
Hwasun, Kim Hong-do
The National Theater of Korea
July 8-16
This fusion musical showcases traditional-style dance, music and theater with a contemporary twist. The piece was inspired by “Hwasun,” a famous painting by iconic 18th-century Joseon artist Kim Hong-do. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. Located near exit 6 at Dongguk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information call (02)-2280-4115~6.
Audition
Art-one Theater
Korea’s first homegrown concert musical “Audition” 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.