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.

‘Piano Battle: Paul Cibis vs. Andreas Kern'

May 2

German pianists Paul Cibis and Andreas Kern will hold a joint concert in the format of an exhilarating piano battle at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on May 2. / Courtesy of Stomp Music

Internationally recognized German pianists Paul Cibis and Andreas Kern will hold a joint concert with an exhilarating piano battle at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on May 2. First conceptualized in 2009 for the Hong Kong City Festival, Cibis and Kern have since toured the world together in various venues to widespread, raving reviews. While both remarkably different in terms of their performance and playing style, by marrying the classical sounds of Debussy and Chopin with more contemporary pieces, Cibis and Kern overturn the stifling confines of classical piano, a genre that can often seem dated and come across as stuffy and humdrum. An additional twist thrown into the mix comes at the very end of the performance, when members of the audience are bequeathed the honor of crowning the winner of the gripping night. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2658-3546 or visit stompmusic.com.

Benjamin Grosvenor Piano Recital

April 22

Benjamin Grosvenor, the British poster child for classical piano for the Millennial Generation, will be holding a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on April 22. Despite his youth, Grosvenor has achieved incredible milestones, such as becoming the youngest-ever winner of four competitions at the tender age of ten, that many in such a competitive field merely dream of realizing. He will begin his performance with J.P. Rameau's "Gavotte and Variations in A Minor," then proceed with Bach-Busoni's "Chaconne in D Minor," and C. Franck's "Prelude, Choral et Fugue." Grosvenor will also dedicate a sizable amount of his concert to Chopin's pieces, including "Mazurka Op. 63 No. 2," "Mazurka in C Sharp Minor, Op. 30 No. 4," and "Barcarolle Op. 60." He will end the night with a rendition of E. Granados' "ValsesPoeticos" and "Goyescas." Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2106-2019 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

April 20-23

The world-famous Dutch symphony orchestra "Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra" will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 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'

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.

‘Mahlermania’

Uijeongbu Arts Center

May 8-9

A production of the pseudo-operatic piece “Mahlermania” will be staged at the Uijeongbu Arts Center from May 8-9. / Courtesy of The Uijeongbu Arts Center

A production of the pseudo-operatic piece “Mahlermania” will be staged at the Uijeongbu Arts Center from May 8-9. Produced by both the Deutsch Oper Berlin and Nico and the Navigators, the original creative force behind the sweeping composition, “Mahlermania” serves to explore dominant late-Romantic composer Gustav Mahler’s complex and tempestuous relationship with his wife, Alma, who felt perpetually slighted and belittled throughout their marriage due to Mahler’s uncompromising rule that there should only be only one musically inclined person in their relationship. The actors portraying the characters will be accompanied by the Tongyeong International Music Festival Ensemble directly onstage, which should make for a much more intimate auditory experience. Ticket prices range from 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (031) 828-5841 or visit www.uac.or.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

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 April 26

The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition, "Splendid Light: The Story of Bohemian Glass" through 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.

‘The Queen's Love Letter'

May 4-5

Korean veteran musical actress Kim Sun-young will hold a solo concert at the LG Arts Center from May 4 to 5. Through prestigious roles in "Wicked," "Man of La Mancha" and "Jekyll and Hyde," Kim has enjoyed an explosive, prolific career in addition to becoming a household name among musical theater aficionados. She will be covering a few select songs from her musical theater background, and inject her own style in renditions of other popular contemporary songs of artists such as Cho Young-pil, Rain, and Se7en. Ticket prices range from 55,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 542-1897.

‘Fall in Memory’

Ewha Womans University Samsung Hall

May 1-2

Korean singing extraordinaire Gummy will hold a solo concert at Ewha Womans University Samsung Hall from May 1-2. In a sea of homogenous, vanilla idol singers, indistinguishable from one surgically altered face to the next, Gummy stands out for what she delivers best: her intoxicatingly soulful voice. It is no wonder, then, that she is often bequeathed the title of Korea’s R&B “queen.” Continuing on a similar theme from her last concert, which marked her thunderous comeback, four years since last releasing an album, “Fall in Memory,” offers fans and new listeners alike a poignant opportunity for retrospection through Gummy’s current and past hits. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 511-1459 or visit www.c-jes.com.

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.

The Piano Guys Live in Seoul

April 20

The Piano Guys, an American musical group, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Olympic Park Stadium on April 20. / Courtesy of Sena Korea

The Piano Guys, an American musical group combining both traditional piano and cello plus a millennial technological savvy, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Olympic Park Stadium on April 20. Similar to numerous musical acts that have sprung up in the age of booming virtual connectivity, The Piano Guys first gained considerable popularity on YouTube, where they posted piano and cello renditions of popular contemporary songs. Unlike the aforementioned musical acts colonizing the video-sharing site, however, The Piano Guys have managed to set themselves apart with their professional quality videos and superb editing. Lest one might dismiss the group for its lack of powerful vocals or auto-tune, ubiquitous qualities that nowadays seem to be a given in garnering public attention, The Piano Guys’ latest album, “Wonders,” is their latest to earn the top spot on the Billboard New Age and Classical Albums charts. Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 552-2505 or visit senakorea.com.

‘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 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.

‘Hero'

BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall

April 14-May 31

A production of "Hero," a musical inspired by the patriotic struggle for Korean independence by Ahn Jung-geun from the oppressive Japanese colonial regime will be staged at the BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall from April 14 to May 31. Since its premiere in 2009, "Hero" has been hailed as an exemplar of Korean musical theater, not only for its stirring plot, but also the invigorating accompanying arrangement. While "Hero" may initially seem applicable solely to a Korean historical narrative, there lies a universal element to Ahn's tragic suffering that has the ability to strike a chord with audiences worldwide; one need look no further than the tremendous success "Hero" has enjoyed on Broadway and in Harbin, China, to realize that Ahn's story is, above all else, a poignant tale of the human spirit. Jung Sung-hwa, Min Young-ki, and Kang Tai-eul, three of Korea's top-billed musical actors, will take on the lead role of Ahn opposite Kim Do-hyung and Jo Seung-ryung, who will portray Ahn's nemesis, Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi of Japan. Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555 or visit www.iacom.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.

‘Rosas danst Rosas'

May 7

Rosas, the modern dance ensemble formed by prominent contemporary dance choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, will stage a production of De Keersmaeker's runaway hit, "Rosas danst Rosas." Having debuted in Brussels in 1983 as the company's very first piece, "Rosas danst Rosas" has grown to become one of De Keersmaeker's trademark choreographic accomplishments, characterized by her pared-down and minimalistic approach. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 80,000 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.