Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

Lim Hyun-jeong

Seoul Arts Center*

May 23

Lim Hyun-jeong, who left a stunning impression by performing Beethoven’s entire piano sonatas in Paris in 2010, will play in front of Korean fans next month. The France-based 26-year-old is also known for her recorded collection of Beethoven piano sonatas, released for EMI Classics, which reached first place in the Billboard Classical Overall Chart. She will play Maurice Ravel’s “Les Valses nobles et sentimentales, Op. 51,” Chopin’s four Ballades and Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 29, Op. 106 (best known as Hammerklavier).” Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3184 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Aida’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

April 25-28

Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Aida” will be staged in downtown Seoul. Soprano Lim Se-kyung, Son Hyun-kyung and Son Hyun-hee were cast in the role of Ethiopian princess Aida, who is sent to Egypt as a slave and falls in love with Egyptian General Radames, played by tenor Shin Dong-won, Yoon Byung-kil and Lee Won-Jong. Mezzo soprano Lee Ah-kyung, Yang Song-mi and Kim Jung-mi will perform as Egyptian princess Amneris, the axial character of a love triangle. Tickets cost 20,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1111 or visit sejongpac.or.kr.

Munich Philharmonic

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.

Sumi Jo

April 30

Soprano Sumi Jo will perform Verdi’s arias in Seoul. This is the fourth and last stage of the “Korean World Star Series” being held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the center’s opening. Jo, who made her debut in Europe in 1986 with Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” in Italy, will sing arias from Verdi operas including “La Forza Del Destino,” “I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata,” “Rigoletto,” “Aida” and “La Traviata.” Italian tenor Stefano La Colla, baritone Gerard Kim, and mezzo soprano Lee A-kyeong will also perform with the Western Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Marco Zambelli. Tickets cost 30,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Big Tickets

Psy

Seoul World Cup Stadium

April 13

Rap 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 including “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.

Pop & Jazz

Naomi & Goro

Mapo Art Center

April 26

Comprised of vocalist Naomi Fuse and guitarist Ito Goro, Japan’s bossa nova duo Naomi & Goro released its first studio album in 2002 and has gained popularity with their elegant, harmonized sound. The band was introduced to Korea in 2006 with its album “Home,” which included songs such as “Will You Dance?” and “Goodbye.” With the accompaniment of cellist Choi Jung-wook, the duo will perform songs from its albums as well as the music of legendary Brazilian artist Carlos Jobim. Korean indie band Joyful Island will also perform. Located near exit 2 of Daeheung Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3274-8600 or visit www.mapoartcenter.or.kr.

Lucid Fall

Banjul

Through April 28

Lucid Fall, whose real name is Jo Yun-suk, will hold a concert at a cafe in downtown Seoul from April 2 to April 28. Jo, who won bronze prize at the 5th Ryu Jae Ha Music Contest in 1993, was a member of modern rock band Misoni. After the band disbanded, he released five solo albums under the name Lucid Fall. He was also a prominent engineer, receiving best thesis award in the high molecular science division from the Swiss Society of Chemistry, but he is now a full-time musician. In this concert, he will perform his hits such as “Oh, Love” and “Can You See It?” Located near exit 10 of Jonggak Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 44,000 won. For more information, call (02) 735-5437 or visit www.banjul.co.kr.

Keith Jarrett Trio

May 19

American pianist Keith Jarrett and his two musical partners will perform in Seoul in May to celebrate 30th anniversary of the trio’s creation. Also a collaborator with legendary jazz artists Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis, Jarrett has been reputed for his experimental performance from jazz to classical music. Comprised of drummer Jack Dejohnette, bassist Gary Peacock and Jarrett, the trio has released some 20 recordings and has held about 360 concerts since it was formed in 1983. Tickets cost 60,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2187-6225 or visit sejongpac.or.kr.

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 in February. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.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.

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.

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.

Plays & Musicals

‘Next to Normal’

Yonkang Hall, Doosan Art Center

April 6-May 5

The hit Broadway musical dealing with the issues of a modern family is returning to Seoul. The story chronicles the life of a mother struggling with bipolar disorder and the effect it has on her family. Kolleen Park, better known as a musical director, will play the mother. Nam Kyoung-joo and Lee Jung-yeol will play her husband and father, respectively. After opening on Broadway in 2009, the musical won three Tony Awards including Best Original Score. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4033 or visit www.doosanartcenter.com.

‘Les Miserables’

Blue Square

April 6-May 26

The legendary musical comes to Seoul with Korean actors. Comedian-turned-musical actor Jung Sung-hwa will perform as Jean Valjean, who is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread; Cho Jung-eun will perform as Fantine, a tragic woman who leads a difficult life working as a factory worker, and Javert, a policeman who chases Valjean, will be played by Moon Jong-won. The venue is connected to Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 547-5694 or visit www.lesmis.co.kr.

‘Arsene Lupin’

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 two 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.

‘The Days’

Daehangno Musical Center

Through 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

‘Disabled Theater’

Daejeon Culture & Arts Center

April 11-12

Zurich-based Theater HORA will perform the dance piece “Disabled Theater” under the direction of French choreographer Jerome Bel in Daejeon. The theater, which consists of actors with learning disabilities, was established in 1993 to support their creativity. 12 actors will give short solo performances that express their unique way of communicating with society. Located near exit 3 of Government Complex Station. Tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, call (042) 610-2222 or visit www.djac.or.kr.