Pop Music

“Kaas chante Piaf”: The French singer and actress Patricia Kaas will hold two performances in Seoul in promotion of her newest live show “Kaas sings Piaf.” The concert tour is in commemoration of renowned French musician Edith Piaf who passed away 50 years ago this year. Piaf was widely regarded as France’s national pop singer and become an icon in the country during World War II. Kaas is considered as one of the most internationally successful French singers and is set to perform this celebratory project in 45 countries. The concert will be held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from 33,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Norah Jones Live in Seoul”: American singer-songwriter Norah Jones, who rose to stardom with her hit song “Don’t Know Why,” will hold a Seoul concert on Nov. 17 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium. Jones launched her solo music career with the release of the critically acclaimed album “Come Away with Me” (2002), a fusion of jazz, pop and country music. This album sold more than 26 million copies and earned Jones five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist. Her fifth studio album, “Little Broken Hearts,” was released on April 27. Tickets range from 99,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man Tour”: The legendary rocket man himself, Sir Elton John, will return to Seoul after eight years with a live performance celebrating his 40-year career in the music industry. The solo concert will be held at Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena on Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. The legendary singer, songwriter, composer and pianist has sold more than 250 million albums making him one of the most successful artists of all time. Tickets range from 77,000 won to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Sting: Back to Bass Tour”: The composer, singer, author, actor and activist Sting will be performing live in Seoul on Dec. 5 at Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena. In 1977, Sting went on to form the globally successful rock band The Police. Since the mid-’80s, he has released 13 solo albums and when combined with his work with The Police, he has sold nearly 100 million albums and won 10 Grammy Awards. Tickets to the Back to Bass Tour range from 77,000 won to 198,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Classical Music

Sejong Soloists with Vladimir Feltsman: Bach specialist Vladimir Feltsman will join Korea’s top ensemble, Sejong Soloists, to perform Bach concertos at the Goyang Aramnuri in Gyeonggi Province on Nov. 17. The program will feature Bach’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major BWV.154 and Piano Concerto No. 7 in G minor BWV.1058, and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 48, The world-renowned pianist and the Sejong Soloists have collaborated over the past 15 years since they performed together at the Aspen Music Festival and School in 1996. Tickets are priced between 20,000 won and 50,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.

Radu Lupu Recital: Romanian piano legend Radu Lupu is holding two concerts in Seoul. The first will be his recital featuring Schubert pieces on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Seoul Arts Center and the second will be held on Nov. 19, 8 p.m. with the Korean Symphony Orchestra at the same venue featuring Beethoven’s symphonies. Lupu rose to fame when he won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, George Enescu International and Leeds International Pianoforte Competition. He is dubbed the last heir of Russian pianism and is famous for his careful but daring interpretation of Schubert and other Romantic pieces. Tickets are priced from 50,000 won. Reservation is available at www.interpark.com or www.sacticket.co.kr. For more information call (02) 541-3183.

“Mariss Jansons & Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra”: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by the world-class conductor Mariss Jansons, is holding concerts on Nov. 20-21 at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in southern Seoul. The orchestra ranked 6th in the world by Gramophone magazine will perform Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 on Tuesday and Nos. 6 and 7 on Wednesday. Tickets cost from 70,000 won to 350,000 won. Reservations can be made at www.sacticket.com, www.yes24.com and www.interpark.com. For more information, call (02) 599-5743,

Pierre-Laurent Aimard Piano Recital: Pierre-Laurent Aimard, dubbed “guardian of the modern piano music,” is holding his recital at LG Art Center in southern Seoul at 5 p.m. on Nov. 25. Known to specialize in Ligeti and other contemporary classical music, Aimard will feature Heinz Holliger’s Elis: 3 Nocturnes for Piano and Ligeti’s “Der Zauberlehrling,” “Galamb Borong,” “Cordes vides,” “Fm,” “Automne Varsovie” and “L’escalier du diable.” He will also cover Schumann’s Symphonic tudes, Op. 13, and Debussy’s six prludes that include “Hommage a Pickwick Esq P.P.M.P.C”; “Canope”; “Ondine”; “Feuilles mortes”; “Les Tierces alternes” and “Reux d’artifice.” Tickets are priced from 40,000 won to 80,000 won with a special discount for students. For more information, visit www.lgart.com or call (02) 2005-0114.

Dance

“The Nutcracker”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is getting ready to attract fans with its popular repertoire “The Nutcracker.” First performed by UBC in 1986, the show is based on 19th century German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann’s version of the story and French ballet choreographer Marius Petipa’s dance. UBC has cast some 10 of its finest dancers, including principal dancers Hwang Hye-min, Kang Ye-na, and Eom Jae-yong. The show, which tells the story of a young girl’s favorite Christmas toy coming alive and whisking her away to a magical kingdom, is one of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet compositions along with the “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty.” The show runs from Dec. 21 to 31 at Universal Art Center in Neung-dong, eastern Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7124-1737.

“Remember Me” & “Caught”: American contemporary dance company Parsons Dance Company is performing in Seoul. Founded in 1985, the New York-based troupe tours internationally in addition to its annual season in New York. For the upcoming Seoul performance, the troupe is showcasing “Caught,” one of its major performances, which features more than 100 leaps in six minutes by a solo dancer who is repeatedly trapped in mid-motion by the strobe lights, to create an illusion of flight. It is also performing “Remember Me,” which is a full-length dance-theater work and rock-dance opera, featuring the troupe’s lead vocalists and music of the Grammy-nominated band, East Village Opera Company. The show runs from Nov. 21-24 at LG Arts Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information call (02) 2005-0114.

“Dear Nongae”: The National Dance Company of Korea is presenting their original work“Dear Nongae,” which is based on the life of the famous 16th-century “gisaeng,” female entertainer, Nongae. Nongae lived in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598). She is said to have seduced Japanese general Keyamura Rokusuke and led him to a cliff, embraced him and jumped, killing the general as well as herself. The show is choreographed by local choreographer and former dancer Yoon Seong-joo. She is said to have combined Korea’s traditional dance with ballet movements for the show. “Dear Nongae” runs from Nov. 16-18 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. English subtitles are available. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4115.

Theater

“Janghwa Hongryeon”: The National Changgeuk Theater of Korea is presenting “Janghwa Hongryeon” this month in an attempt to create a “changgeuk,” traditional Korean opera, that’s more accessible to today’s public. The piece combines Korea’s traditional vocal and percussion music, pansori and Korea’s traditional tale of two sisters, who become vengeful ghosts after being killed by their cruel stepmother and stepbrother. The show takes place in contemporary Korea and focuses on the experience of the sisters’ stepmother and her sense of utter guilt. “Janghwa Hongryeon” runs from Nov. 27 to 30 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4115 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

“Les Miserables”: “Les Miserables,” the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, is being staged in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Considered one of the great pieces of literature of the 19th century, the novel tells the story of Jean Valjean, a hapless French peasant who serves 20 years in prison for stealing a piece of bread for his starving family. The show is a Korean production, and features the country’s top musical star Jeong Seong-hwa in the leading role. The show runs from Nov. 3-25 at Yongin Poeun Art Hall. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, visit eng.yicf.or.kr.

“Assassins”: Film and theater actor Hwang Jeong-min (“Happiness,” “Dancing Queen”) is making his debut as a musical director this month. The show is the Korean adaptation of American musical “Assassins.” The five-time Tony Award winner features the real-life men and women who attempted to assassinate U.S. presidents. The figures include John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, and Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Ford. Hwang stars as Charles Guiteau, President James Garfield’s assassin, in his own show. “Assassins” runs from Nov. 20 to Feb. 3 of next year at Doosan Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4033.

“Rudolf”: A Korean adaptation of the famous European musical “Rudolf” will be staged in Seoul for the first time. The show is about Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria (1858-1889), and his extramarital affair with Baroness Mary Vetsera. The piece is written based on the widespread assumption that the crown prince and his mistress committed suicide together at his Mayerling hunting lodge in 1889. Korea’s musical stars Im Tae-gyeong, Ahn Jae-wook and Park Eun-tae are sharing the role of the prince. The show runs from Nov. 10 to Jan. 27, 2013, at Chungmu Art Hall in central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 6391-6333.

“Aida”: Korea’s Seensee Company once again presents the Korean adaptation of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.” The show was first staged in Seoul in 2005, and its second run was held in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in 2010. Based on Giuseppe Verdi’s Italian-language opera of the same title, the show tells the story of Aida, Nubia’s princess who gets taken into slavery in Egypt. She soon gets attention from Radames, captain of the Egyptian army, who is expected to succeed to the country’s throne after the Pharaoh’s death. For the 2005 run, idol star-turned-musical actress Ok Ju-hyun starred as the beautiful and captivating Aida. This year, actress Cha Ji-yeon and pop singer Sonya are sharing the lead role. “Aida” runs from Dec. 2 to April 28, 2013, at D-Cube Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Exhibition

“Seoul Photo Festival”: The Seoul Photo Festival will showcase photographs taken by professional photographers as well as citizens that offer glimpses into life in old Seoul. Photographs will be grouped into four categories based on what it represents in a certain time period and exhibited at three venues in Seoul, including the Seoul Museum of Art, the principal exhibition venue of the festival, the lobby of the new Seoul City Hall and Seoul Museum of History. The exhibition runs from Nov. 21-Dec. 30. Admission is free. For more information, call 070-8240-9902 or visit www.seoulphotofestival.com.

“Van Gogh in Paris: A Dialogue with Modernism”: Van Gogh’s paintings from his Paris years are on exhibit in Seoul. The exhibition features about 60 paintings on loan from the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam, including the late artist’s famous self-portraits and landscape paintings. It also displays historical research and data about the artist and his works, including x-radiographs of his paintings. It continues through March 24 next year at Hangaram Design Museum in Seoul Arts Center. The exhibition is closed on the last Monday of each month. Tickets are 15,000 won for adults; 10,000 for students aged 13-18; and 8,000 won for children aged 7-12. There will be discounts for group visitors. For more information, call (02) 724-2900.

“Anish Kapoor”: Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art holds the first exhibition of works by British sculptor Anish Kapoor. The first major show by Kapoor in Korea encompasses the artist’s major works from the early years of his career to the present. Some of the works include large-scale sculptors with unfathomable holes, three-dimensional monochromic paintings and stainless-steel sculptures that reflect or distort images. In the museum garden stands Kapoor’s huge stainless-steel sculptor “Tall Tree and the Eye,” which replaced the French sculptor Louis Bourgeois’ “Maman.” The exhibition continues through Jan. 27, 2013, at Leeum in Seoul. Admission is 8,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for students. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900.

“The Best Under Heaven: The Celadons of Korea”: Under the theme “The Best Under Heaven: The Celadons of Korea,” the National Museum of Korea is showcasing a total of 350 pieces of celadon ware from Korea and abroad. They include 18 pieces of National Treasure, 11 Treasures and two pieces designated as significant cultural properties by Japan. This special exhibition is based on the research achievements on the peninsula’s long ceramic tradition which has undergone remarkable development since the 1990s. The purpose of the exhibition lies in outlining the development of Goryeo celadon-wares. The exhibition runs until Dec. 16. For more information, call (02) 2077-9499.


Festival

“Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival”: Yangchon in South Chungcheong Province boasts high-quality dried persimmon thanks to long hours of sunshine, breezy wind and drastic temperature changes from day to night. The festival invites visitors to taste the nation’s best-quality dried persimmon and participate in various hands-on experiences with friends and family members. Activities planned include persimmion peeling, throwing dried persimmon seeds, and craft using straws. The event will take place at Yangchon-ri Stadium from Dec. 8-9. For more information, visit http://gotgam.nonsan.go.kr or call (041)741-3119. 

“Gunsan International Migratory Bird Festival”: Visitors will have the chance to take field trips to observe migratory birds up close, see movies on migratory birds and enjoy cultural events, symposiums and exhibitions. Guided bus tours will also be available. The bird-watching corridor (known as “Tamjohoerang” in Korean), built on the embankment of the Geum River, is the only facility of its kind in Korea. Children can also learn about the ecology of birds at Napo Cross fields. The bird-watching festival runs from Nov. 21-25 at Geumgang Bird Park, Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. For more information, call (063) 453-7213 or visit http://www.gmbo.kr.

“Seoul Lantern Festival”: Until Nov. 18, Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul will be an extravaganza of light and water with about 30,000 lanterns lighting up the autumn nights. Visitors will enjoy more lanterns than last year, with the spectacle starting at Cheonggye Plaza and stretching down a 1.3-km section of the stream to Gwansugyo Bridge. During the festival, visitors can expect to see lanterns made by artists from countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand, as well as local citizens. Programs will include lantern making and an introduction of the lanterns and festival in four languages ― Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. Visitors will also have the chance to enjoy traditional Korean music and other performances. For more information, call (02) 3788-0882 or visit www.visitseoul.net.