Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Miura’s Flight as Japanese Butterfly

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The premier opera theater Trieste Verdi gave its first performance in South Korea, from March 12 to 15, with its original cast and chorus from Italy. Japanese soprano Mina Yamazaki, who appears in various European theaters, shared the role of Cio-Cio San in Puccini's ``Madame Butterfly.'' During a different time, however, casting a ``Japanese Butterfly'' would have made headlines, as was the case for the late Japanese soprano Tamaki Miura (1884-1946). ``Madame Butterfly'' was inspired by the short story by J.L. Long, and Puccini, never having traveled to Japan, composed music featuring faux Japanese tunes. Things Japanese were in vogue at the time, and the opera was a success. It remains one of the most frequently staged works to this day. In 1915, Miura, a petite Japanese soprano, stole the international spotlight by debuting as Cio-Cio San in London ― becoming the first Asian woman to play an Asian character in the West. Shortly thereafter, she made her American debut. ``The novelty of the title role being sung by a young woman from t

Mar 20, 2009

Classical Concerts, Dance, Pop & Jazz, Plays & Musicals

Classical Concerts KBS Classic FM's 30th Anniversary Concert KBS Hall April 2 KBS Classic FM, the nation's foremost classical music radio channel, is hosting a special marathon concert of Beethoven's complete piano concertos to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Pianists Han Dong-il, Shin Su-jung, Lee Kyung-sook, Huh Seung-yeun and Julius Jeong-won Kim will perform. Suh Hyun-suk will conduct the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra. KBS is accepting some 1,500 requests for admission to the concert hall through its Web site (www.kbs.co.kr). Call (02) 781-3255. Located near exit 3 of Yeouido Station on subway line 5. Don Kosaken Choir Sejong Center for the Performing Arts April 24 Don Kosaken, Russia's foremost choir, will visit Korea. Conducted by Wanja Hlinka, the 14-member male a cappella group will bring powerful renditions of ``Great Litany'' and ``Twelve Robbers,'' among other pieces. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3463-2466. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Seoul Philhar

Mar 19, 2009

Art Exhibitions, Kids, Sports Games

Art Exhibitions Individuals Youngeun Museum of Contemporary Art Through April 5 Swiss artist Christoph Rihs tackles the relationship between the outer appearance of trees and their special attributes in a series of photographs, combining a multitude of images in a new broken mirror-like style. The Youngeun Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province. Visit www.youngeunmuseum.org or call (031) 762-4189. Seogyo Sixty 2009 SangSang Madang Through May 10 Seogyo Sixty is an art festival featuring works by passionate young artists held every year at SangSang Madang meant to showcase artistic direction and youth culture in Hongdae. Visit www.seogyosixty.com or www.sangsangmadang.com. The Great Hands Gallery Hyundai Through April 5 This exhibition is a showcase of the painstaking effort of 17 Korean artists in making their art. Lee Dong-jae carefully applied thousands of crystals to create Buddha's image, while Noh Sang-kyoon placed countless blue sequins on a canvas. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com. Beyond the Dream Gallery Jant Thr

Mar 19, 2009

Binoche to Share Energy Through Dance

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Movie star and now dancer Juliette Binoche has come a long way as an artist, but she still believes in exploring the many layers and energies of art. For her, dance is simply another form of expression, and this will be offered at her performance ``in-i'' with English dancer and choreographer Akram Khan. The 45-year-old actress appeared at the press conference with Khan Wednesday in southern Seoul, dressed in an elegant black dress, smiling and posing for the cameras. It is the French actress's first visit to Korea, whereas Khan has already paid two visits here. ``It feels like a discovery. I knew (Koreans) had passion for films and so I was eager to come one day. I wanted to learn about the history so I looked up the Internet. (Korea) reminded me a little bit of Poland, as it was also divided in two in the past,'' Binoche said when asked how she felt to be in Korea. ``I did know (about my Korean fans) but I forgot, but then I remembered again when I (arrived) at the airport. I had a hat, was badly dressed, but that's life,'' she a

Mar 18, 2009

Video Art Opera Smart Despite Flaws

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Trieste Verdi's first South Korean tour came to an end Sunday, after four consecutive performances before a full, enthusiastic house. Director Giulio Ciabatti's rendition of Puccini's ``Madame Butterfly'' impressed local fans with its talented singers, tasteful video art-inspired stage set and a modern approach to the Orientalist love story. Each evening, some 3,000 people crowded the Grand Theater of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, in downtown Seoul, and the usually tame Korean audience did not refrain from shouting ``bravo'' for the original cast of the Italian theater. Sopranos Raffaella Angeletti and Mina Yamazaki alternately played heroine Cio-Cio San, depicting the character transformations with great finesse, from a blushing ― though not completely innocent ― 15-year-old that knows how to steal a man's heart to the anguish of a woman scorned. In spite of the alluring leading ladies, mezzo-soprano Cinzia De Mola shined through with her compelling performance as the faithful servant Suzuki. Tenor Roberto De Biasio, with his dashi

Mar 17, 2009

Karsh Portraits on Display in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Yousuf Karsh, a master of portrait photography, is widely known for his iconic portraits of some of the most famous men and women of the 20th century, such as Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Ernest Hemingway, Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. Seventy of Karsh's portraits from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston are currently part of the ``Karsh 100'' exhibition at the Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul. The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of Karsh's birth, who died in 2002 at the age of 93. Throughout his career, the Armenian-Canadian photographer took portraits of 15,312 of the most notable people around the world. Karsh had once written about his ``fascination for the inner power of his subjects.'' His goal was ``to photograph the great in spirit, whether they be famous or humble.'' Karsh was born Dec. 23, 1908, in Mardin, a city in what is now southeastern Turkey and grew up during the Armenian Genocide. To escape the hardship, his family moved to Syria when h

Mar 16, 2009

Artistic Discoveries at Samcheong-dong

Passersby observe “Manjineun Samcheong-dong jido” which was created by the students of Seoul National School for the Blind.By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Wedged between Gyeongbokgung and Changdukgung Palaces, Samcheong-dong harbors traditions of the past and modernity of the present. This unique venue is a haven for those seeking a momentary, eccentric escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Old-fashioned restaurants and houses line both sides of the road while modern cafes and boutiques are peppered on the streets to attract hip and stylish strollers. Already featuring a vast variety of museums and galleries, Samcheong-dong has made yet another addition to its list of artsy attractions: the Seoul City Gallery Project ``Inside Outside.'' ``Inside Outside'' is an artistic approach to introduce Samcheong-dong as a neighborhood that is rightfully co-owned by its residents and visitors. The vibrant venue, constantly flooded with tourists, is also an area of residence. Interestingly enough, the residential area and the sightseeing area are located side by sid

Mar 16, 2009

Korean Modern Art Goes to London

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The best of contemporary Korean art will finally be in the spotlight in London in June. Korean Eye, Standard Chartered and Phillips de Pury & Company are organizing the ``Moon Generation'' exhibition and auction featuring 30 rising Korean artists such as Kwon Ki-soo, Debbi Han, Hong Kyoung-tack and Yi Hwan-kwon. ``Moon Generation'' is touted by the organizers as ``a world first in bringing together a group of leading Korean contemporary artists and galleries to create the first-ever international exhibition and sale of Korean contemporary art.'' Korean Eye founder and Parallel Media Group chairman David Ciclitira started the initiative to promote the best of Korean contemporary art, which remains relatively unknown compared to its Japanese and Chinese counterparts. ``I came back to Korea two years ago, and I was amazed by the rich contemporary art in Korea. It was fascinating and exciting, but not many know about it. London is the center of the art scene, and the idea was to bring Korean art there. I want to make sure Korean art

Mar 13, 2009

Art Exhibitions, Kids and Sports

Art Exhibitions The Still: Logical Conversation Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space Through March 29 Twenty-two Korean artists have gathered to offer an exhibition presenting a modern re-interpretation of still life, including sculptures, photographs, and video installations by Han S:I, Bae Joon-sung, Bahk Seon-ghi and Kim Si-yeon, among others. For more information, call (02) 519-0800 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com. VS Gana Art Gangnam Through April 5 Artists with visually similar styles are paired together for this exhibition. Works by noted artists Damien Hirst and Ron Arad, as well as Korean artists Ko Young-hoon and Kim Kang-yong, are on display at Gana Art Gangnam. Call (02) 512-1650. For more information, call (02) 512-1650. A Daydream Art Space Hue Through March 27 Lee Jeong-woong deals with themes of love, memory, rapture and solitude in his oil and digital paintings. Art Space Hue is located in Seogyo, Mapo. Call (02) 333-0955 or email artspacehue@hotmail.com. A House of 2.6 Square Meters Gallery Space A Through April 26 Sculptor Ahn Kyu-chul

Mar 12, 2009

Classiical Concerts, Big Tickets, Dance, Pop and Jazz

Classical Concerts KBS Symphony Orchestra Concert Seoul Arts Center March 13 Conductor Claus Peter Flor will lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74. Pianist Alexander Kobrin will appear as a soloist. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 781-2243. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's Great Concerto Series I Seoul Arts Center March 15 In the first of its Great Concerto Series, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by conductor Rossen Milanov and Sol Gabetta, a young, talented cellist who recently released a solo album for Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85. Tickets cost from 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 3700-6300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Salta Cello Concert Mapo Arts Center March 27-29 German jazz ensemble Salta Cello will hold