Around Town 1

Andrei Gavrilov Piano Recital

Seoul Arts Center*

May 22

Russian pianist Andrei Gavrilov will hold a solo piano recital in southern Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center on May 22. Hailing from a multinational family of established artists, Andrei Gavrilov was propelled to superstardom in his late teens after becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. His performance will include a selection of F. Chopin's "Ballades No. 2, 4," A. Scriabin's "Sonata No. 4 in F sharp Major, Op. 30" and "Etude No. 5 in C sharp Minor, Op. 42," S. Rachmaninoff's "Preludes" and "Moment Musical No. 4 in E minor, Op. 16," and S. Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet 10 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75." Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3463-2466 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘MoiseetPharaon'

May 22-24

The Seoul Opera Ensemble Company will stage a production of "MoiseetPharaon" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from May 22 to 24 as part of the official lineup for the 6th Korea Opera Festival. The French-language epic, written by famed Italian composer Gioachino Rossini in 1818 first as a three-act opera and later revised to a four-act libretto, was inspired partly by the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. In line with the aforementioned familiar tale, Moses restores light to Egypt after the Pharaoh grants the Israelites freedom and safe passage. Unfortunately, Amenophis, the Pharaoh's son and heir to the throne, who has fallen in love with Anais, an Israelite, successfully persuades his father to revoke his decree, igniting a series of tumultuous events that ultimately results in Moses' and the Pharaoh's final confrontation. The title role of Moses will be shared by Kim Yo-han, Nam Wan, and Kim Young-bok, while Jang Cheol, Park Kyung-jun, and Jang Young-kun will take on the role of Moses' nemesis. Ticket prices range from 10,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-7389 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Victor Tretyakov and the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra

May 13

The Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by and featuring preeminent Russian violinist Viktor Tretyakov, will be holding a concert at the Seoul Arts Center on May 13. Founded in 1990, the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra is a regular fixture at some of the most renowned classical music festivals around the globe. Viktor Tretyakov, for his part, has galvanized audiences worldwide since the late 1960s with his unique style and proclivity for the resounding, sweeping concertos such as those by Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky. The orchestra will be performing Mozart's "Concertone in C Major for 2 Violins and Orchestra, K. 190," Bruch's "Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26," and conclude with Tchaikovsky's haunting "Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64." Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 581-5404 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Piano Battle: Paul Cibis vs. Andreas Kern'

May 2

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.

‘Adriana Lecouvreur'

May 29-31

The Nuova Opera Company will stage a production of “Adriana Lecouvreur,” a four-act opera by Italian composer Francesco Cilea at the Seoul Arts Center from May 29 to 31. / Courtesy of The Seoul Arts Center

The Nuova Opera Company will stage a production of "Adriana Lecouvreur," a four-act opera by Italian composer Francesco Cilea, at the Seoul Arts Center from May 29 to 31 as part of the official lineup in the 6th Korea Opera Festival. Ticket prices range from 10,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 581-5404 or visit www.sac.or.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. 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 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 will 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.

‘Le Nozze di Figaro'

May 8-10

The Muak Opera Company will present a production of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from May 8 to 10 as part of the official lineup in the 6th Korea Opera Festival. Having premiered in Vienna in 1786 to a raucously enthusiastic and thunderous reception - which resulted in an impressive record of five numbers being encored on the very first night, much to the amused dismay of Emperor Joseph II - "Le Nozze di Figaro" is now counted among the select few cornerstones of standard operatic fare for any respectable opera house. Part of a trilogy, the piece picks up the story after "The Barber of Seville," wherein Count Almaviva successfully woos Rosina thanks to the resourceful and comic machinations of Figaro, the titular barber. Fast forward a few years, Count Almaviva has degenerated from a romantic youth to a callous, boorish philanderer. In gratitude of his services, the count had appointed Figaro as his personal valet. In spite of his indebtedness, however, Almaviva soon fixes his skirt-chasing, leering eye on Susanna, his servant and confidant's betrothed. To put a stop to Almaviva's habits once and for all, Figaro and Susanna concoct a series of merry plots to reignite the Count's marriage. In the role of Almaviva will be Ryan McKinny, an acclaimed American bass baritone, with Korea's very own Hong Hei-kyung and rising star Yoon Jung-nan both as the Count's long-suffering wife. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 720-3933 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Hamlet’

Yongsan Art Hall

April 24-May 24

A production of “Hamlet,” one of William Shakespeare’s great works, will be staged at the Yongsan Art Hall from April 24 to May 24. / Courtesy of Inno Company

A production of “Hamlet,” one of William Shakespeare’s great works, will be staged at the Yongsan Art Hall from April 24 to May 24. Since its unveiling, “Hamlet,” the story of an emotionally wounded and tortured Danish prince, ensnared in a court rife with lies and deception has skyrocketed to acclaim and popularity. For this particular rendition, Jo Byeong-joo, Jo Hyun-il, and Jung Byung-ik will share the titular role, while the rest of the principal cast will be filled in by Lee Hyeon-joo and Kim Ji-young as the tragic female heroine Ophelia, Lee Jae-pyo and Lee Se-young as the devious and opportunistic Claudius, and Yoon Hyun-jeong, Sora, and Yoon Na-ree as Gertrude, the long-suffering mother of the protagonist. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 714-2001 or visit www.inocompany.co.kr.

Johannes Moser and William Youn Duo Concert

June 5

German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser and Korean pianist William Youn will hold a joint concert at the Seoul Arts Center on June 5. / Courtesy of Opus Corp

German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser and Korean pianist William Youn will hold a joint concert at the Seoul Arts Center on June 5. Johannes Moser has performed with the world's leading orchestras, delighting audiences across the globe with his deft ability to expand the reach of the classical genre, often languishing within the stuffy confines of tradition. As a young and relatively established artist, Moser is also heavily involved in various outreach programs geared towards young classical enthusiasts, from kindergarten onwards. For his part, William Youn has also been featured extensively in concertos with preeminent world orchestras, and frequently performs on the fortepiano at classical festivals. The two will collaborate on J. Brahms' "Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 38" and D. Shostakovich's "Cello and Piano Sonata in D minor, Op. 40." Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-5142 or visit www.opuscorp.org.

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 front man 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.

IdinaMenzel

Olympic Stadium*

May 30

IdinaMenzel, the American Broadway superstar, will be holding her first concert in Korea at the Olympic Stadium on May 30. Menzel, or Adele Dazeem, as she has forever become consecrated in popular culture, first rose to prominence with the role of Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist with a penchant for complicating her love life, in "Rent," then became more widely known to mainstream audiences with a spectacular turn as Elphaba, the misunderstood witch who later becomes notoriously known as the Wicked Witch of the West, in "Wicked." Of course, one would be remiss in neglecting to mention "Frozen" when talking about Menzel's renewed popularity, given that "Let it Go," the runaway hit of the aforementioned animated film, has catapulted her name to new heights. Fans can rest assured that among the songs Menzel will perform will be many of her Broadway and Disney hits. Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 552-2505 or visit senakorea.com.

‘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'

LG Arts Center*

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 Woman's University Samsung Hall

May 1-2

Korean singing extraordinaire Gummy will hold a solo concert at Ewha Woman's 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.

Pentatonix

Olympic Park

May 28

Pentatonix, an American Grammy Award-winning a capella group consisting of five vocalists, will be making their Korean debut at Olympic Park on May 28. Ticket prices range from 99,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.allaccess.co.kr.

Lee Eun-mee

BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall

May 23-24

Lee Eun-mee, widely known by Koreans as the "Barefoot Diva," will be holding a solo concert at BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall from May 23 to 24. In addition to her well-deserved renown for her powerful and resonant voice, Lee is also famous and hailed for her unwavering disdain for lip-synching and adamant belief in live performance. Having delighted fans with her most recent mini album "SperoSpere," released in 2014, Lee will perform both a selection of recent tracks as well as some of her past hits. Ticket prices range from 88,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1644-2729 or visit www.sjticket.com.

‘Huh Gak's Fairytale in May'

Yes24 Muv Hall

May 1-5

Huh Gak, prominent Korean crooner and an alumnus of the second series of Korea's wildly popular "Superstar K," will be holding solo concerts at Yes24 Muv Hall from May 1 to 5. Huh shot from obscurity to fame with a triumphant turn on the music talent television series, with his dulcet voice and inspirational underdog story. He will be performing several of his hit songs, such as "Hello," "Monodrama" and "Break Up to Make Up." As the venue of the concert is small, fans can be prepared for a cozy and intimate night of music. Located near exit 3 of Hapjeong Station on subway line 2. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555 or visit www.a-cube.co.kr.

‘Cats'

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Through 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 cappella 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

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 Jung-won and Lee Hye-kyeong 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'

Through 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 Hirobumi Ito 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.

‘Pericles'

May 12-31

A production of "Pericles" will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center from May 12 to 31. While the authorship of "Pericles" may forever remain a mystery, the play, which is most commonly attributed to William Shakespeare, continues to be an ever-present fixture in many theatre companies. "Pericles," which is divided into five acts, revolves chiefly around the adventures and occasional misfortunes of the eponymous protagonist, the young Prince of Tyre, in present-day Lebanon. The play opens with a riddle proposed by Antiochus, who has offered his daughter's hand in marriage to anyone who can solve the confounding puzzle, and a painful death to those who answer incorrectly. While Pericles instantaneously understands the meaning behind the seemingly unsolvable question, he flees in fear for his life, which inevitably sets off a chain of events that will see him on the shores of various faraway kingdoms and aboard ships caught in howling tempests. Esteemed actor and former Minister of Culture and Tourism Yu In-chon will take on the leading role of Pericles. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘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.