True opera fans would probably know this name ― Jonas Kaufmann. With his dashingly handsome looks, exceptional vocal powers and impressive acting skills, Kaufmann is the undoubtable superstar of opera right now.

The German tenor, with a track record of selling out prestigious opera and recital halls in the U.S. and Europe, is coming to Korea next month, leading a pack of international classical music artists who are making their long-anticipated Korean debut.

Kaufmann will perform at Seoul Arts Center’s 2,500-seat Concert Hall on June 7. The program consists of opera arias, which according to him “best reflects his past work as an opera singer.” Operas to be featured at this one-night-only recital include Korean favorites ― Puccini’s “Tosca” and Bizet’s “Carmen” ― as well as other masterpieces such as Verdi’s “Luisa Miller,” Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Massenet’s “Werther.” 

Korean soprano and Metropolitan Opera principal singer Hong Hei-kyung will make a guest appearance, singing two arias.

“I very much look forward to the Seoul concert,” the tenor said, adding that he took a personal interest in Korea’s classical music scene and music education “after meeting many great opera singers and musicians from Korea.”

The Jonas Kaufmann recital starts at 5 p.m. on June 7. Tickets cost 80,000 won to 340,000 won. For inquiries, call (02) 552-2507.

Over at LG Arts Center, two classical music concerts in June will mark the first time where an international artist will unveil his or her globally acclaimed talents to the Korean audience.

Pavel Haas Quartet is the first of the two, taking the stage on June 16.

The Czech string quartet, which takes its name from its compatriot composer Pavel Haas (1899 ―1944), is regarded as one of the most prominent string quartets to have emerged in recent years. Since its foundation in 2002, the group has won three Gramophone Awards, including Recording of the Year for its 2011 album.

In their first Seoul concert, the quartet will present a program that celebrates their proud Czech roots, consisting of all Czech compositions ― Erwin Schulhoff’s String Quartet No. 1, Antonin Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 12 “American” and Leos Janacek’s String Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Letters.”

The Pavel Haas Quartet concert starts at 8 p.m. on June 16 at LG Arts Center, near Yeoksam Station, Line No. 2. Ticket price ranges from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, visit www.lgart.com

On June 21, British pianist Imogen Cooper will take to the same LG stage with a program of Schubert, Chopin and Schumann.

Cooper, known here as one of the finest Schubert specialists, will perform Schubert’s late great piano sonatas, “D. 959 and 12 Deutsche Tanze.”

The recital starts at 5 p.m. with tickets costing 40,000 won to 80,000 won.

By Lee Sun-young  (milaya@heraldcorp.com)