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.

‘King Jumong’

June 6-7

The Korea National Opera will hold a production of “King Jumong” at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on June 6 an 7. Written and composed by Park Young-keun and is the first piece of the New Year for the eminent opera company, “King Jumong” tells the story of the enigmatic, mystical figure of King Jumong, and his arduous path towards becoming the founder of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo as he is known today. Born from the brief yet passionate union of Yu-hwa, daughter of the river god Habaek, and Haemosu of Buyeo, Jumong grew up in the palace of King Geumwa, masquerading as a commoner to escape the resentful hatred of Geumwa’s eldest son. Once he discovers an insidious plot to murder him, Jumong flees to Jolbon to hatch a plan to establish a new kingship, leaving behind his beloved family and setting in motion the beginning of the legend of King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo. In this rendition, the role of Jumong will be played by Woo Ju-ho. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit www.nationalopera.org.

Pavel Haas Quartet

LG Arts Center

June 16

The Pavel Haas Quartet, a Czech string quartet founded in 2002, will hold a concert at the LG Arts Center on June 16. / Courtesy of the LG Arts Center

The Pavel Haas Quartet, a Czech string quartet founded in 2002, will hold a concert at the LG Arts Center on June 16. Consisting of an ever-changing lineup of violinists and cellists, the quartet derives its name from the Czech composer whose life and work was brutally cut short when he became one of the countless casualties of the Holocaust during the Second World War. While the inspiration of the group’s name may seem dour, their accomplishments nonetheless pay great homage to the renowned composers of the past. Since winning the prestigious Paolo Borciani Competition in Italy in 2005, the Pavel Haas Quartet has enjoyed more than its fair share of fame, fortune, and accolades, even garnering the most coveted award of Recording of the Year at the 2011 Gramophone Awards. For this particular performance, the quartet will play Schulhoff’s “String Quartet No.1,” Dvorak’s “String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96, American,” and end with Janacek’s “String Quartet No. 2, Intimate Letters.” Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

‘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.

‘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 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.

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. 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.

‘Paik Kun-woo & Die Dresdner Philharmonie'

June 26-27

The Dresdner Philharmonie, conducted by Michael Sanderling, a German violoncellist and the philharmonic's baton wielder since 2011, will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center featuring Korean pianist virtuoso Paik Kun-woo from June 26 to 27. Like most respected orchestras, the Dresdner Philharmonie, an ensemble based in Dresden, Germany, boasts a long and fabled history; it was established in 1870. Since its first concert in November of its founding year, the Dresdner Philharmonie has mesmerized audiences worldwide with their sonorous renditions of Brahms and Beethoven. Paik Kun-woo, for his part, has not done too shabby a job as a heavy hitter in his field. Since his electrifying debut at the tender age of ten with the Korean National Orchestra, Paik has performed worldwide with some of the most well-regarded orchestras across the globe, in addition to accumulating multiple awards along the way that attest to his brilliance. Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 240,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

Idina Menzel

Olympic Stadium*

May 30

Idina Menzel, 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.

‘Polish Art: An Enduring Spirit'

The National Museum of Korea

June 5-Aug. 30

In collaboration with the National Museum in Warsaw, the National Museum of Korea will be holding a special exhibition, "Polish Art: An Enduring Spirit," from June 5 to Aug. 30. This exhibition will be the first of its kind on Korean shores, with its primary objective being to introduce the artistic traditions and rich history of a country whose influence in shaping the European aesthetic identity is indisputable, but whose contributions have long since faded into the background. Thus, through the more than 200 pieces sourced from 17 different institutions that will be on display, visitors will have the invaluable opportunity to essentially ‘rediscover' the veiled essence of Polish art. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9483 or visit

www.museum.go.kr.

‘I Am You Are Me’

BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall

June 12-21

Singer Park Jung-hyun will hold concerts at the BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall from June 12 to 21. / Courtesy of CJ E&M

Korean-American singer Park Jung-hyun, or Lena Park will be holding concerts at the BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall from June 12 to 21 as part of her first domestic tour of the year. With her distinctively clear voice and astounding vocal range, Park has over the years rightfully earned her place among the top echelons of the Korean, and arguably global music industry. While she has maintained an active presence within her field, releasing successful and widely enjoyed singles and studio albums, it was arguably after her victorious stint on the first season of the immensely popular Korean singing competition program I am a Singer that she was able to attain her goddess-like status. Ardent fans can rest assured that they will be hearing a variety of Park’s songs, from past hits such as “In a Dream,” “P.S. I Love You” and “Thank You,” in addition to new material from her most recent album. Ticket prices range from 99,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8380 or visit www.cjenm.co.kr.

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

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.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Charlotte Theater

June 12-28

Michael Lee will star as Jesus in the coming production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul from June 12 to 28. / Courtesy of Seol & Company

The Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul will be staging a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” from June 12 to 28. Written by the prolific duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the rock opera was first performed on Broadway in 1971 to a surprisingly lukewarm response, with some religious groups censuring the production teams and writers for their interpretation of Jesus’s sacrifice. In spite of its ecclesiastical subject matter and thematic elements, “Jesus Christ Superstar” has grown to become a fan favorite to this day with its tongue-in-cheek treatment of such a loaded story, as well as pop culture references and colloquial language scattered throughout the piece. Loosely based on the Gospels’ accounts of the last week of Jesus’s life to his penultimate crucifixion, “Jesus Christ Superstar” focuses on the political, ideological, and interpersonal rivalry between Jesus and Judas Iscariot, whose name in the modern context is evocative of cold-blooded betrayal. Michael Lee and Park Eun-tae will star as Jesus, while the role of his wily opponent, Judas, will be assumed by Choi Jae-rim, Yoon Hyeong-ryeol, and Han Ji-sang, respectively. Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1577-3363 or visit www.clipservice.co.kr.

‘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.

‘Hamlet'

Yongsan Art Hall

Through 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. 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.

‘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.