Around Town 1

‘Aida’

Seoul Arts Center*

April 10-12

The Sugi Opera Company will helm a production of preeminent composer Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 10 to 12. Giuseppe Verdi needs no separate or long-winded introduction, for he has long been considered the most influential composer since the nineteenth century. His opera "Aida," which enjoyed a thunderous opening night in Cairo, Egypt, in 1871, has also attained a spot on many opera companies' repertoires.The title role of Aida, the Ethiopian princess betrothed to the Pharaoh but in love with his guard, will be filled by Romanian and Russian sopranos Cellia Costea and Olga Romanko, respectively. Walter Fraccaro and Francesco Hong round out the cast as her doomed lover, Radames, who struggles to reconcile his affections for Aida and his fierce loyalty to the Pharaoh. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 390,000 won. For more information, call (02) 542-0355 or visit www.sugiopera.com.

‘Lucia di Lammermoor'

April 17-19

The Gloria Opera Company will stage a performance of Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," a three-act tragic opera, at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 17 to 19. Gaetano Donizetti, then considered the reigning genius of Italian opera, drew inspiration for his operatic masterpiece from Sir Walter Scott's novel, "The Bride of Lammermoor," which was published a few years earlier. The opera tells the wretched tale of Lucia, who is caught in the middle of a deadly feud between her own family and that of a neighboring family. Most notably, celebrated Italian soprano Valeria Esposito will take on the lead role of the tragic heroine Lucia. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 543-2351 or visit www.gloriaopera.co.kr.

‘Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail’

April 16-19

The National Opera Company will perform W.A. Mozart's "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 16 to 19. The light, jovial and oftentimes comic German opera, which first premiered in Vienna in 1782, revolves around the quest of Belmonte, the hero of the story, to rescue Konstanze from the clutches of an evil harem owner. Ticket prices range from 20,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit www.nationalopera.org.

‘Andrea Chenier'

March 12-15

The Korea National Opera will perform Umberto Giordano's "Andrea Chenier" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from March 12 to 15. The celebrated opera, which has remained popular with audiences since its electrifying premiere at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1898, is loosely based on the life of French poet Andrea Chenier during the Reign of Terror, a turbulent and barbarous period in French history to which Chenier fell victim. Park Sung-kyu and Yoon Byung-kil will take on the lead role of Chenier, while acclaimed Italian conductor Daniele Callegari will helm the entire production. Ticket prices range from 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Valentina Lisitsa

March 21

After performing at two other venues in Korea, Valentina Lisitsa, a Ukrainian-born pianist known for her social media prowess, will end her tour with a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on March 21. The program comprises L.V. Beethoven's "Sonata Op. 31, Listz's "Sonata B Minor," and Frederic Chopin's "Chopin 24 Etudes," for which she is well known. Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-5142 or visit www.opuscorp.org.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Apr. 20-23

The world-famous Dutch symphony orchestra "Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra" will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from Apr. 20 to 23. Led by renowned Hungarian conductor Ivan Fischer, they will perform all of Beethoven's symphonies. Tickets cost 70,000 to 330,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

New Zurich Orchestra

April 25

The New Zurich Orchestra will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on April 25. Composed mainly of young, up-and-coming musicians, the Orchestra has toured extensively around the world, from Austria and the Czech Republic to Hong Kong and China. Led by distinguished conductor Martin Studer and featuring Swiss flutist Philipp Jundt, they will perform, among other pieces, P. Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 5" and J. Rodrigo's "Flute Concerto ‘Pastorale.'" Tickets range from 30,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1661-1605 or visit www.bravocomm.co.kr.

Janacek String Quartet ‘Prague Spring’

Apr. 25

The Janacek String Quartet will hold a concert to feature Romanian pianist Emanuela Geamanu at the Seoul Arts Center on April 25. / Courtesy of Pro-Art

The Janacek String Quartet, the representative chamber ensemble from the Czech Republic, will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center on April 25, featuring Romanian-born pianist Emanuela Geamanu. Founded in 1947, the Janacek String Quartet has delighted audiences worldwide for their precise interpretation of a composer’s work. The group, whose name derives from the famed Czech composer Leos Janacek, most familiar to modern readers as the composer whose music served as the main motif in Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s novel “1Q84,” will perform B. Smetana’s “String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor,” L. Janacek’s “String Quartet No. 2,” and A. Dvorak’s “Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81.” Ticket prices range from 33,000 to 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 585-2934 or visit www.pro-art.co.kr.

The Script

Olympic Park*

April 4

The Script, a popular pop-rock band hailing from Ireland, will hold a concert at Olympic Park in southern Seoul on April 4. They will perform tracks including hit singles "Superheroes" and "No Good in Goodbye" from their latest album released in July 2014, "No Sound Without Silence." Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6295-1818 or visit www.livenation.com.

‘2015 Theatre Lee Moon-sae'

LG Arts Center*

April 15-23

Immensely venerated Korean singer-songwriter Lee Moon-sae will hold a solo concert at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 15 to 23 as part of his nationwide tour to promote his new album, which will be released sometime between March and April. In addition to tracks from his newest album, his astonishing fifteenth since his last one, "Red Undies," swept the charts, Lee will also perform his most representative songs, including but not limited to "The Farewell Story" and "A Love Song." For more information, call (02) 3272-3133 or visit www.lgart.com.

Paul McCartney

Jamsil Stadium

May 2

Paul McCartney, one of the most renowned musicians in the world, will hold a solo concert at Jamsil Stadium. While primarily known to music lovers of all generations as a member of The Beatles, McCartney has also had the most commercially successful solo career among the four members as frontsman of his own band Wings. Ticket prices range from 55,000 to 300,000 won. For more information, call (02) 332-3277 or visit www.livenation.kr.

‘Splendid Light: The Story of Bohemian Glass'

The National Museum of Korea

Through Apr. 26

The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition, "Splendid Light: The Story of Bohemian Glass" from Feb. 10 to April 26 to honor the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Czech Republic. More than 340 pieces showcasing the rich history and culture of Bohemia will be on display, ranging from ancient artifacts, such as royal crowns and religious garments dating back to the Medieval period, to contemporary glass and crystal ware made possible through modern technological advances. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9276 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Zion. T and Crush

BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall

Through March 8

Popular hip-hop artist and record producer Zion. T and hip-hop wunderkind Crush will hold a joint concert at BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall in Yongsan from March 6 to 8. The two singers will perform their song "Just," the title track from their collaboration album project, "Young." Tickets cost 77,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555 or visit www.amoebaculture.com.

Kim Tae-woo ‘T-Road'

Hanjeon KEPCO Arts Center

Apr. 2-5

Kim Tae-woo will be holding a solo concert at Hanjeon KEPCO Arts Center from Apr. 2 to 5 as part of his first nationwide tour in 2015. At the turn of the millennium, Kim Tae-woo gained near-instantaneous fame as lead singer of g.o.d., but it wasn't until 2006 that he launched his own solo career with his debut album, "What I Want to Say." This event is sure to mark an exciting return for Kim, whose reunion with his former boy band members thrilled fans last year. Ticket prices range from 99,000 to 110,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Yangjae Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 1566-5490 or visit www.wsmi.co.kr.

Pink Martini

Olympic Park Stadium

April 8

Eclectic music group Pink Martini will hold a concert at the Olympic Park Stadium in Seoul on April 8. Formed in Portland, Oregon, Pink Martini has successfully carved a niche for their deft ability to cross multiple and seemingly disparate musical genres, such as classical, Latin, classic pop and jazz. They will perform a selection of tracks from their latest album, "Dream a Little Dream," released in early 2014. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

Jo Kwan-woo

Baekam Art Hall*

April 11

Jo Kwan-woo will be holding a solo concert at the Baekam Art Hall on April 11. Since his debut in 1994, he has captivated audiences with his soothing yet powerful vocals in a career that has spanned over twenty illustrious years. While he has no plans for a new album, his last having been released in 2003, fans will have the incredible opportunity to listen and watch as he performs his older hits. Tickets cost 99,000 won. For more information, please call (010) 2383-5216 or visit www.bluesky.co.kr.

‘Cats’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

April 10-May 10

A production of ‘Cats’ will be staged at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul from April 10 to May 10. Based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, a set of whimsical poems that deal with feline psychology, “Cats” is one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, in the West End, and many other respected and renowned theatre houses around the world. It tells the story of a band of cats named the Jellicles and the night they make the “Jellicle Choice,” a decision that will ultimately decide which of the cats would be fortunate enough to ascend to the Heaviside layer and come back to a new Jellicle life. Ticket prices range from 70,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1577-3363 or visit www.clipservice.co.kr.

The Voca People

Blue Square Samsung Card Hall

April 29-May 3

The Voca People, an Israel-based musical ensemble, will be performing at BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall from April 29 to May 3. / Courtesy of Geni Contents

The Voca People, an Israel-based musical ensemble and international smash hit, will be performing in Seoul from April 29 to May 3 as their very first show in Korea. Widely hailed as the most intriguing show on Off-Broadway and a YouTube sensation to boot, the comic group deftly mixes a capella and beat box vocals to great effect, forgoing musical instruments to reproduce the rich sounds of a massive, traditional orchestra. Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 568-8831 or visit blog.naver/genicontents.

‘Agatha’

Hongik University Arts Center

Through May 10

The Hongik University Arts Center will stage a production of “Agatha” through May 10. “Agatha” is a fantastical reimagining of the ten-day disappearance of crime novelist Agatha Christie, often referred to as the “duchess of death” and “queen of crime.” Agatha Christie has always maintained that she had no memories of her kidnapping in December 1926; Korean composer and writer duo Huh Su-hyun and Han Ji-ahn’s musical adaptation of the aforementioned events is an entertaining way to retell the riveting tale. Choi Jeong-won and Lee Hye-kyoung will take on the lead role of Agatha Christie. Ticket prices range from 44,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 548-0597 or visit www.abccontents.com.

‘Robin Hood’

D Cube Arts Center

Through March 29

A Korean rendition of German musical “Robin Hood” will be staged at the D Cube Arts Center through March 29. Based on the beloved legend of heroic outlaw Robin Hood and his merry band of men out to set right the wrongs of wicked and tyrannical Prince John, this adaptation sees the titular protagonist from an idealistic of the poor and marginalized to Robin of Loxley, a man in the service of the king who, betrayed by those closest to him, seeks to topple the despotic regime and build a better world of justice. Musical theater veterans Yu Jung-sang, Lee Gun-myung, and Um Ki-joon will take turns in the lead role as Robin Hood. Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Sindorim Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 764-7857 or visit www.mmusicalart.co.kr.

New Creations by LDP

April 4-5

Laboratory Dance Project (LDP) will stage a double-bill performance at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 4 to 5. Founded in 2001, LDP is regarded a pioneer in Korean contemporary dance, rendering the genre more accessible to the general public. Many of the troupe's dancers have also successfully crossed over to the lay world through lauded performances on popular television shows, such as "Dancing 9." LDP's performance will consist of two parts, each choreographed by two choreographers boasting distinct styles, but which nonetheless showcase the dancers' incredible versatility and range: "12Mhz" by Kim Pansun and "Graying" by Shin Chang-ho. Ticket prices will go from 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

‘Swan Lake'

June 24-28

The Korean National Ballet led by renowned director Kang Sue-jin will stage Tchaikovsky's classical ballet ‘Swan Lake' at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from June 24 to 28. The story, spanning four acts, tells the story of a princess, Odette, who turns into a swan following a devil's curse. Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.