Around Town

Classical Concerts

Munich Philharmonic

Seoul Arts Center*

April 21-22

The Munich Philharmonic, led by conductor Lorin Maazel, will perform at southern Seoul on April 21. The orchestra has performed since 1893 under prominent directors including Gustav Mahler, Oswald Kabasta, Eugen Jochum and Sergiu Celibidache. Maazel has previously conducted at world famous orchestras such as Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. The orchestra will perform Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” on the first day. Tchaikovsky’s “Overture-Fantasy on Romeo and Juliet,” Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 4” and Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” will be performed on the second day. Tickets cost 70,000 to 350,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Falstaff’

March 21-24

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Guiseppe Verdi, the Korea National Opera Company will perform “Falstaff,” the Italian composer’s final piece before his death, at the Seoul Arts Center. The plot of the opera was written by Italian poet and novelist Arrigo Boito, who borrowed heavily from William Shakespeare’s plays “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Henry IV.”In this version of the opera, Baritone Anthony Michaels-Moore and baritone Han Myung-won will alternate in the role as protagonist Sir John Falstaff. Tickets cost 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Scenes from La Traviata’

Pony Chung Hall

March 20

Soprano Lee Eun-hee and tenor Jeong Neung-hwa will perform in Guiseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Pony Chung Hall in southern Seoul, extending the performance arts center’s series of concerts that started from last year. Located near exit 7 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2008-8811 or visit www.ponychunghall.com.

Richard Yongjae O’Neill

March 31

Violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill will perform in Seoul. O’Neill is a recipient of Avery Fisher Career Grant, an award given to promising classical musicians, and has been twice nominated to the Grammy Award category of best soloist with orchestra. O’Neil’s popularity in Korea rose after his life story as a Korean War (1950-53) orphan adopted to the United States was featured in the KBS television documentary series “Human Theater.” The violist will perform Rebecca Clarke’s “Viola Sonata,” Schubert’s “Winterreise Opus 89,” Jacques Offenbach’s “Jacqueline’s Tears” and Antonio Vitali’s “Chaconne in G minor.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won.

For more information, call 1577-5256 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Big Tickets

Jason Mraz

Subsidiary Stadium, Jamsil Sports Complex

May 17

American singer and song writer Jason Mraz comes to Seoul in May. Since his 2002 debut album, “Waiting for My Rocket to Come,” Mraz has garnered immense popularity. His 2008 album “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things,” sold 140,000 copies in Korea, a surprising number in a market dictated by online downloads. This will be his sixth visit to Korea. He will be performing some of his biggest hits like “I Won’t Give Up,” “Geek in the Pink” and “I’m Yours.” Located near exit 6 and 7 of Sports

Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 332-3277 or visit www.interpark.com.

The Script

Uniqlo AX

March 27

Irish rock band The Script will meet Korean fans at last. The trio — vocalist Danny O’Donoghue, guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power — established themselves as a crowd favorite in many countries after the success of their 2001 debut album, which sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. The band released its third album, “#3,” in June last year to critical acclaim and O’Donoghue became better known to

a younger generation of music lovers after appearing on the British talent show “The Voice UK” as a vocal coach. Tickets cost 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6925-1818 or visit www.uniqlo-ax.com.

Museums

‘The Peranakan World: Cross-cultural Art from Singapore and the Straits’

National Museum of Korea

March 19-May 19

This exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to glimpse the culture and heritage of Peranakans, or the descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Southeast Asia. Clothing, tableware and accessories, made between the late-19th and early 20th century, provided by the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore, will highlight the display. Located near exit 4 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 and the Jungang Line. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

Sogyumo Acasia Band

Common Place

March 23

Indie rock duo Sogyumo will perform in downtown Seoul on March 23. Comprised of guitarist Kim Min-hong and vocalist Song Eun-gi, the band started their career with their first studio album “Sogyumo Acasia Band” in 2004. The band was awarded Rookie of the Year at the Korean Music Award in 2006, and has released four studio albums and three single albums since.Located near exit 6 of Myeongdong Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 755-9478 or visit www.interpark.com.

Rufus Wainwright

March 16

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will perform in Korea. Wainwright, son of folk singer Kate McGarrigle and Grammy Award winning singer Loudon Wainwright III, started his music career as a teenager touring with his mother. In 1990 at the age of 17, Wainwright was awarded Most Promising Male Vocalist at Juno Awards called Canadian Grammy Award, and has released seven studio albums. In Seoul, he plans to perform his hits such as “Going to A Town,” “Dinner at Eight,” “Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk,” “One Man Guy” and “Barcelona” only on the piano excluding other musical instruments. Located at exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-7110 or visit uniqlo-ax.com.

Bae Chi Gi

Hongdae V-Hall

April 12-13

Hip hop group Bae Chi Gi will hold a concert at Hongdae in their first concert after the members completed their compulsory military service. They will sing their hits like “Nice to Meet You,” “Two Guys” and “Shower of Tears,” which was released last January as the third track of their mini album “4 Part 2.”Located near exit 9 of Hongik University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 55,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-9194 or visit www.interpark.com.

Brian Crain

Naru Culture & Arts Center

March 15

American composer and pianist Brian Crain will hold a concert in Seoul. Koreans are familiar with his work, which is frequently used in television dramas, documentaries and commercials. At the concert, entitled “Love, the Story of Spring,” he will perform his familiar pieces such as “Butterfly Waltz,” “Song for Sienna” and “A

Walk in the Forest,” and new pieces from the latest album “Piano and Violin Duet.” Located near exit 5 of Konkuk University Station, subway lines 2 and 7. Tickets cost 20,000 to 40,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2049-4711 or visit www.naruart.or.kr.

E Z Hyoung

Mapo Arts Center

April 6

Singer songwriter E Z Hyoung will hold a concert in Seoul. E Z Hyoung made his debut in 2001 with the band Weeper, and released his first solo album, “Radio Dayz,” in 2006. He received the Best Male Solo Artist Award at the Korean Music Awards in 2007. His song “A Passionate Goodbye,” became a belated hit after rapper Psy rerecorded it for his recent album, which included the global hit “Gangnam Style.” Located near exit 2 of Daeheung Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 44,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.

Kotaro Oshio

LG Arts Center*

April 14

Japanese guitarist Kotaro Oshio performs in southern Seoul. Oshio became popular in Japan in 2001 after his song “Blue Sky” from his second album “Love Strings” was

used as the theme song of a talk show broadcast on Tokyo television. In Korea, his song “Twilight” from his first album“Starting Point” is particularly popular. Tickets cost 55,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 522-1886 or visit

www.lgart.com.

‘2013 Amoebahood Concert’

Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*

March 16-17

Hip hop artists under the Amoeba Culture label, which includes Dynamic Duo, will hold a concert at the southern Seoul sporting venue. The label was established in 2006 by Gaeko and Choiza of Dynamic Duo. Supreme Team, Yankie, Zion. T, Planet Shiver, Rhythm Power and Dynamic Duo will perform in this concert. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8567 or visit www.interpark.com.

Julio Iglesias

Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Olympic Park*

April 9

Legendary Spanish singer and song writer Julio Iglesias will perform in Seoul. Iglesias, who sold over 300 million albums throughout his career, has performed in Korea numerous times since first performing around the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988. In his upcoming concert, he will sing his biggest hits like “Hey,” “Crazy,”

“All of You,” “Nathalie” and “Amor.” Tickets cost 90,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 407 2589 or visit www.interpark.com.

Plays & Musicals

‘Arsene Lupin’

Blue Square

Through May 5

Arsene Lupin is a fictional character who appears in the book series by French novelist Maurice Leblanc. He is a gentleman thief and detective, and has captured readers’ affection for more than 100 years since the novel was first published in the magazine Je Sais Tout in 1905. Kim Da-hyun and Yang Jun-mo will perform as the phantom thief Lupin in this musical production. The work, produced over 2 years, is set in Paris in 1910 and starts with the jewels of Marie Antoinette disappearing one by one. Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hanganjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 60,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 544-1591 or visit www.bluesquare.kr.

‘Sweet, Come to Me Stealthily’

Through March 31

“Sweet, Come to Me Stealthily,” which is known as the first Korean contemporary musical that debuted in 1966, will once again be staged at the Seoul Arts Center. Based on the traditional folk lore of “Baebijangjeon,” the musical revolves around the story of Aerang, a female entertainer who looks to seduce a regional officer, who tries to stay faithful to his deceased wife. Tickets cost 44,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3496-8820 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Three Musketeers’

Chungmu Art Hall

Through April 21

Veteran actor Um Ki-joon will join some of the leading stars in K-pop, including Super Junior’s Kyu Hyun, 2PM’s Jun.K and 2AM’s Lee Chang-min in the musical adaptation of the “Three Musketeers,” based on the eponymous novel by Alexandre

Dumas. Lee will play D’Artagnan. The concert venue is located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway lines 2 and 6. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 764-7857 or visit www.musicalthreemusketeers.com.

‘Rebecca’

Based on Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel of the same title, the musical “Rebecca” is on stage in Seoul. The novel was also made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940 as his first American project, and won two Academy Awards. Yoo Jun-sang, Ryu Jung-han and Oh Man-seok perform as wealthy widower Maxim DeWinter who cannot forget his late wife Rebecca. Im Hye-young and Kim Bo-kyung will perform as “I” who falls in love with DeWinter while traveling to Monte Carlo. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

‘The Days’

Daehangno Musical Center

April 4-June 30

“The Days”, a musical made with songs of late folk rock singer Kim Gwang-seok, will debut at the Daehangno Musical Center in Seoul. However, the story has no particular relation to Kim’s lyrics as it revolves around the adventures of bodyguards stationed at Cheong Wa Dae. Yu Joon-sang, Oh Man-seok and Kang Tae-eul lead a cast heavy with star power. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.musicalthedays.co.kr.

Dance

‘Marguerite & Armand’

April 5-7

Prominent ballerina Kim Joo-won will perform at southern Seoul in April. Kim, a guest principal dancer of the Korean National Ballet Company, is the recipient of the 2002 Prima Ballerina Award presented by the Korean Dance Association and bronze medalist in the 2001 Moscow International Ballet Competition. The artist will perform “Marguerite & Armand,” created by famous choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton in 1963. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 517-0248 or visit www.lgart.com.