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Staff Reporter
The National Opera of Korea (NOK) returns to Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater with Bellini's ``Norma,'' the cream of the crop among bel canto operas, Thursday through Sunday.
After their last production in Seoul's foremost opera theater was notoriously interrupted by a fire in the winter of 2007, the NOK wanted to come back with a bang. Staging the tragic melodrama in Korea, where the opera scene is still struggling to draw more viewers, is ambitious, and pessimists might even say overreaching.
``Norma'' is associated with the greatest of divas such as Maria Callas. Norma, the high priestess of Gaul, secretly has two children with the Roman proconsul Pollione. But when Pollione falls in love with a younger woman, Norma conflicts between duty and desire, forgiveness and revenge.
The soprano role requires not only breathtaking lung power and charismatic theatricality, but also the ability to caress both the bel canto style and coloratura technique. The most pernickety of critics say that even Edita Gruberova, who is considered post-1990s' ``queen of bel canto,'' lacks that extra magic to fulfill the role.
But operagoers can look forward to something that not only captures the essence of the original Italian opera but is also ``exotic'' and thoroughly modern in spirit, as the NOK brings together top Korean talent, Italian flair and even Kazakhstani musicality.
Kim Young-mi, who emerged on the world stage opposite Luciano Pavarotti in 1981, is undoubtedly the only dramatic soprano here who can pull off the taxing role. But the press rehearsal Monday showed why Park Hyun-joo is the only Korean to sing Norma in major European halls. Kim will be Norma Thursday and Saturday while Park will perform Friday and Sunday.
``Working with the two Normas is the greatest pleasure for me,'' artistic director Paolo Baiocco told The Korea Times. ``The two singers are so different that, even though the set, movements and central idea are the same, I alter the direction to fit each," he said, adding with a joke, "I want to tell the Korean audience to watch both versions or don't watch it all."
In his first project in Korea, the Italian director reunites with Europe-based Korean tenor Lee Jeong-won, who will alternate the part of Pollione with Kim Young-hwan.
``I'm blessed with working with such wonderful singers, as well as the beautiful Korean choir (National Chorus of Korea) and orchestra,'' Baiocco said. His countryman Marco Balderi conducts the Abay Academic Opera and Ballet House orchestra from Kazakhstan.
The architect-cum-designer paid heed to every detail, from the stage sets and costumes to the lighting. The opening set features a surreally magic, Renee Magritte-esque floating tree trunk and ``star gate'' (like that from a Sci-Fi flick) set against a vast blue sky where wispy white clouds dance about, all framed by a stylized forest.
It is 50 B.C., Gaul. The high priestess Norma emerges gracefully to pray for the Druids. But looking closely, the flowing white gown is not a toga or such but a regal ``hanbok" (Korean traditional dress) from the Three Kingdoms Period (1 B.C.-A.D. 7th-century).
Baiocco said he never thought of Magritte, but was indeed trying to recreate something surreal and modern.
``The opera is set in ancient times but I wanted to showcase the modernity of the story,'' he said about his ``first time directing `Norma' on this planet.'' Koreans can easily understand that Norma is in essence like a ``mudang,'' or Korean shaman, he said.
``I hope the Korean audience will be mesmerized,'' he said with a smile.
Tickets cost from 10,000 to 100,000 won. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday to Saturday and at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Call (02) 586-5283.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
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