Shin Young-ok launches nationwide tour

Korean soprano Shin Young-ok, marking the 20th anniversary of her international debut this year, will give a nationwide tour of concerts starting tomorrow.

Shin starts the series of concerts at Goyang Aramnuri Concert Hall in Gyeonggi Province.

Shin made her name known in the international classical music scene in 1990, when she won the Metropolitan Competition. Since then, the coloratura has been credited for her "angelic" voice which enables her to manage opera roles with high, soft notes.

Now in her 40s, Shin is still a leading singer at the renowned Metropolitan Opera in New York. She is especially known for her excellent performances as Gilda in "Rigoletto" and Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor."

The soprano`s tour here is not her first, but its program will be different from those of previous tours.



Alongside opera arias, Shin will sing various traditional Korean tunes including folk songs and "gagok," a type of Korean song composed of poetry set to music.

"Shin has been participating in various overseas concerts for Koreans and saw audience members become very moved by traditional Korean songs. But she felt bad about such tunes losing popularity with Korean concert-goers these days," said an Hola Company official.

The soprano recently released an gagok album titled "Nae Maeumeui Norae" (Songs From My Heart) expressing her yearning for her homeland.

Tunes from her latest album including "Baetnorae" and "Saetaryeong" will be included in her tour program.

Shin will also perform arias such as "Je Veux Vivre" from "Romeo and Juliet" and "Signor ne Principe ... Addio, Addio, Speranza ed Anima" from "Rigoletto."

Tenor Na Seung-seo collaborates with Shin in duets for the concerts while local orchestra the Prime Philharmonic, led by female conductor Year Ja-kyung, accompanies them.

Following her Goyang concert, Shin will continue touring other cities including Gunpo, Busan and Daegu. The Seoul concert will be on Jan. 29 at Seoul Arts Center.

Tickets run from 77,000 won 150,000 won. For details, call (02) 529-1923.

(youngaah@heraldm.com)



By Koh Young-aah