May, June to be rich in large-scale operas

From Beethoven`s "Fidelio" to Puccini`s "La Boheme" and "Tosca," late spring is expected to be rich in opera performances.

Beginning May 7, "Fidelio," the only opera created by Beethoven, will be staged by Muak Opera at Seoul Arts Center.



A political tale, "Fidelio" is not often staged in Korea but Muak said that by introducing the work, it hoped to expand on the opera repertoire of local stages that have had one too many performances of such works as "La Boheme," "Carmen" and "Aida."

"It took Beethoven nine years to complete "Fidelio" which shows that the composer put all his might into the work," said Kim Kwan-dong, the artistic director for Muak Opera and a professor at Yonsei University, at last week`s press conference in Seoul.

"And because of that, the opera does well to deliver his message, which is human liberation," he added.

One of the highlights of the opera will be the well-known "Prisoners` Chorus," which will be performed by a 120-member chorus, the troupe said.

The two-act opera centers around Leonore, who rescues her husband Florestan from death in a political prison by disguising herself as a prison guard named Fidelio.

Leonore will be played by sopranos Na Kyung-hae, a Yonsei University professor, and acclaimed U.S. soprano Susan Anthony. Tenors Han Yoon-suk and Steven Harrison will share the role of Florestan.

Muak Opera was founded by a number of Yonsei University graduates last year who yearned to produce original operas.

"Fidelio" will be staged through May 10. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 720-3933.

Giacomo Puccini`s "La Boheme," one of Koreans` favorite operas, will be performed by Gloria Opera May 26-30 at Seoul Arts Center.

Known as one of Puccini`s most lyrical and dramatic works, the opera tells a touching love story between poor young artists and their passion for art. Familiar arias include "Che Gerlida Manina" and "Mi Chiamano Mimi."

The cast for the opera will include not only such famed classical singers as soprano Park Mi-hye and tenor Lee Won-jun, but also Kim Tae-hee.

Kim, known as the "Korean Paul Potts," will make his opera debut through the piece, playing the toy vendor Parpignol. The aquarium engineer who has never learned classical singing recently got the media`s spotlight by showing off his vocals on local talent show, "Star King."

"La Boheme" will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, and at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 200,000 won. For details on the cast, call (02) 543-2351 or go to www.gloriaopera.co.kr

Korea Opera Group, meanwhile, will perform Puccini`s "Tosca" as a part of the 2009 Pizzi Festival, which is hosted by the troupe and is led by Pier Luigi Pizzi, a renowned Italian opera director, June 4-7 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Pizzi Festival has been taking place since 2007 introducing diverse works of the director who also leads the annual Macerata Festival in Italy.

With the costumes and stage settings from the Mazceratta performances plus the innovative direction of Pizzi, "Tosca" will wow Korean audiences, Park Ki-hyun, the artistic director for the troupe, said.

Sopranos Tiziana Caruso and Olga Perrier will play Tosca while Tenors Giancarlo Monslave and Javeir Palacios will double in the role of Cavaradossi.

Tickets are from 30,000 won to 310,000 won. For further information, call (02) 587-1950.

By Koh Young-aah



(youngaah@heraldm.com)