Around Town 1
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Classical Concerts
Paul Mauriat Tribute Concert
Grand Peace Palace, Kyung Hee University
May 5
This concert is dedicated to the memory and works of late French musician Paul Mauriat. Mauriat, who led the Le Grand Orchestra de Paul Mauriat as conductor, was known for his efforts to make classical music more accessible to and better understood by the general public. His album ``Love is Blue,’’ released in 1968, remains as his most famous work, topping the Billboard classical charts for five weeks that year. He has written more than 1,100 songs and tunes that were frequently used in movies and broadcasting commercials. Conductor Jean-Jacques Justanfre will perform some of Mauriat’s most notable works with his own orchestra, Grand Orchestra Jean Jacques Justafre. Tickets cost 50,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3676-2352 or visit www.interpark.com.
Don Carlo
Seoul Arts Center*
April 25-28
The Korea National Opera Company will perform Verdi’s “Don Carlo” later this month at the Seoul Arts Center. Set in the royal court of Spain in the 16th century, the opera was first staged in Paris in 1867 and revolves around the conflict between the Spanish king and his prince that is peppered by political conspiracies and complex love relations. Tickets cost 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Lim Hyun-jeong
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*
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
Cho Yong-pil
Olympic Gymnastic Arena, Olympic Park
May 31-June 2
Singer Cho Yong-pil will perform in southern Seoul to celebrate his upcoming album. Cho, who’s been an iconic figure in Korean music community for 45 years, will release his 19th studio album on April 23, his first new work in 10 years. At the concert, Cho will sing his new songs and old hits, including “Let’s Go on a Trip,” “Come Back to Busan Port,” “A Leopard of Mt. Kilimanjaro” and “Short Hair.” The Seoul performance will kick off a nationwide tour that will stop off at Daejoen, Uijeongbu, Jinju and Daegu. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 77,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-7110 or visit
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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
Kim Kyung-ho
Yonsei University Auditorium
April 27
Rock singer Kim Kyung-ho will hold a concert in Seoul on April 27. Since his debut in 1994, Kim has garnered a strong following from his power ballads and is loosely described as the Korean version of Michael Bolton. To get the venue, take the mini bus no. 3 or 4 from the exit 2 or 3 of Sinchon Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 88,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (070) 8967-0901 or visit
Teen Top
Hwajung Gymnasium, Korea University
May 11-12
K-pop boy band Teen Top will hold a concert in tour that will kick off their Asian tour. It will perform its hits including “Crazy,” “Be Ma girl” and “To You.”. Located near exit 3 of Korea University Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit
Anzenchitai
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*
June 1
Veteran Japanese band Anzenchitai will perform in southern Seoul in June. Along with other bands of the time such as X-Japan, Anzenchitai garnered large popularity here in the 1990s, despite the government strictly restricting the import of Japanese cultural products during the time. Comprised of Koji Tamaki on vocals, Yutaka Takezawa and Wataru Yahagi on guitars, Haruyoshi Rokudo on bass and keyboards, and Yuji Tanaka on drums, Anzenchitai released 13 albums through a career that spans close to three decades and have sold more than 5 million copies. Korea’s Generation Xers who listened to Anzenchitai through illegally copied CDs finally have the opportunity to see them live. Tickets cost 99,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3143-5156 or visit www.interpark.com.
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.
Museums
‘Opulence: Treasures of Korean Traditional Craft’
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Through June 2
The museum in central Seoul shows some of the treasures of traditional Korean craftwork. A total of 65 items, on loan from Korean museums and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are on display, including a 7th century pure-gold Buddha Statue is designated a national treasure. Tickets cost 6,000 to 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.
‘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
Through 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
Through 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’
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 featuring 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.
‘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.
Dance
‘Giselle’
May 2-5
The Korean National Ballet company will perform “Giselle’’ in downtown Seoul. First staged in Paris in 1841, the ballet revolves around the story of a woman who is betrayed from his lover. Kim Ji-young, Park Seul-ki and Lee Eun-won will star as the pitiful Giselle. Lee Dong-hoon, Jung Young-jae, Kim Ki-wan and Lee Young-cheol will also perform. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 20,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6613 or visit
‘Shim Chung’
National Theater of Korea
May 9-12
The Universal Ballet Company will perform “Shim Chung,” a ballet rendition of a Korean folk tale, at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul. Comprised of three acts, the ballet-musical depicts a daughter and her devotion to her blind father. To get the venue, take a shuttle bus provided from the theater at exit 6 of Dongguk University Station. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit