Around Town

Classical Concerts

Munich Philharmonic

Seoul Arts Center*

April 21-22

Led by conductor Lorin Maazel, the orchestra has performed since 1893 under prominent directors including Gustav Mahler, Oswald Kabasta, Eugen Jochum and Sergiu Celibidache. Maazel has previously conducted world famous orchestras such as the 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’

Through March 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. The plot 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.

Richard Yongjae O’Neill

March 31

O’Neill is a violist and 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. His 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.” He 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

Psy

Seoul World Cup Stadium

April 13

Rapping sensation Psy is expected to perform his follow-up song to the global hit, ``Gangnam Style.’’ The concert, titled“Happening,” will be broadcast live around the world on YouTube. Located near exit 2 of World Cup Stadium Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 55,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.

Jason Mraz

Subsidiary Stadium, Jamsil Sports Complex

May 17

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

Through May 19

This exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to glimpse the culture and heritage of Peranakans, 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

Nah Yoon-sun

LG Arts Center

April 17

Nah Yoon-sun is a jazz singer who debuted as a musical actress in 1994 before studying at the CIM Jazz School in France the following year. Nah released her first album, ``Reflect,’’ in 2001 and has since garnered a significant following in Korea and abroad. Her 2010 album “Same Girl” topped the French jazz chart for four weeks and earned her best international female singer honors in Germany’s ECHO Jazz Award that year. She recently appeared on stage at President Park Geun-hye’s inauguration ceremony in Seoul last month. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

Sogyumo Acasia Band

Common Place

March 23

Comprised of guitarist Kim Min-hong and vocalist Song Eun-gi, indie rock band Sogyumo 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.

Bae Chi Gi

Hongdae V-Hall

April 12-13

Hip hop group Bae Chi Gi will give their first concert since its members completed their compulsory military service. They will perform hits such as “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.

E Z Hyoung

Mapo Arts Center, Seoul

April 6

Singer songwriter 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 became popular in his home country in 2001 after his song “Blue Sky” from his second album “Love Strings” became the theme song for 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.

Julio Iglesias

Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Olympic Park*

April 9

This legendary Spanish singer and song writer has sold over 300 million albums throughout his career. He has performed in Korea numerous times since first appearing during the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988. In his upcoming concert, he will sing his biggest hits including: “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

`History Boys’

Yonkang Hall, Doosan Art Center

Through March 31

This Korean version of a British play will continue at the Yonkang Hall until the end of this month. It is the story of eight high school students preparing to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities and their three history teachers at a school in Sheffield, England. The play raises questions regarding the purpose of education and life. The original version, written by English playwright Alan Bennett, premiered in England in 2004. It won six Tony Awards, including best play of the year, in 2006 after it debuted on Broadway. The Korean version is directed by Kim Tae-hyung. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4334 or visit www.doosanartcenter.com.

‘Arsene Lupin’

Blue Square

Through May 5

Arsene Lupin is a fictional character who appears in serialized novel by French novelist Maurice Leblanc. He is a gentleman thief and detective, and has captured the affection of readers for more than 100 years since the work 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’

“Sweet, Come to Me Stealthily,” which is 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,” it revolves around the story of Aerang, a female entertainer who attempts to seduce a regional officer, who is trying to remain 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 this 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’

This is based on Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel of the same name. It 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 because 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.

‘La Bayader’

April 9-14

The Korean National Ballet Company are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the opening of this performance hall. The company will present historic piece “La Bayader,” which was made by French choreographer Marius Petipa in 1877. Tickets cost 5,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.