From crowd favorites Mozart and Verdi, to one of the world’s earliest known opera productions, the remainder of the 2015 season promises moving and memorable arias.

Seoul Metropolitan Opera is gearing up for its staging of one of the world’s oldest known operas -- Claudio Monteverdi’s early baroque piece “L’Orfeo.”
Based on the mythical musician, poet and Greek prophet Orpheus, the opera tells the tale of his journey to the underworld and his challenge to Hades to retrieve his deceased wife, Eurydice, back from the dead. The 17th century libretto opera is one of the earliest surviving operas that is still regularly performed today, but it has never been staged in Korea.

The leading role of Orpheus will be brought to life by baritone Han Kyu-won and tenor Kim Sae-il as the grief-stricken Orpheus, with sopranos Jung Hae-wook and Huh Jin-ah playing the role of Eurydice. “L’Orfeo” will be staged at the Sejong M Theater in Seoul from July 23 to 26. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won ($26) to 80,000 won. For more information, visit www.sejongpac.or.kr. 

In its first opera production in six years, the Seoul Arts Center is getting set to unveil a Korean translation friendly to all age groups of Mozart’s enchanting “The Magic Flute.”

The opera in two acts tells the tale of Prince Tamino of Egypt, who one day is informed by the Queen of the Night that his beloved Princess Pamina has been kidnapped by the evil Sarastro. Tamino is given a magic flute and sent off to rescue Pamina along with his sidekick Papageno.

The production will feature sopranos Lee Yoon-geong and Seo Hwal-lan as the Queen of the Night. Baritones Kong Byung-woo and Lee Eung-kwang will take on the role of Papageno, while tenors Kim Woo-kyung and Lee Ho-chul will play the role of Tamino and basses Attila Jun and Kim Dae-young will take on the evil Sarastro.

“The Magic Flute” will be staged live four days on July 15, 16, 18 and 19 with a special high-definition film screening of the entire opera on Friday, July 17. The opera will be held at the Seoul Art Center’s Opera Theater, with tickets prices ranging from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr.

Following its staging of Korean composer Park Young-keun’s “King Jumong,” the Korea National Opera is set to return to stage in October with its take on Georges Bizet’s “Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers).”

The French libretto opera in three acts is set in ancient times on the island of Ceylon and tells the story two fishermen -- Nadir and Zurga. Despite their close bond, the two best friends find their relationship in jeopardy after both fall for the same woman. The beautiful Leila not only find herself in turmoil because of the two friends love for her, but struggles with whether or not to vow to a life of chastity and virtue by becoming a priestess.

“The Pearl Fishers” will be held at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater from Oct. 15 to 18. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.nationalopera.org. The cast will include sopranos Nathalie Manfrino and Hong Ju-young, tenor Philipp Heo, bass Kim Chul-jun and baritones Paul Gong and Je Sang-chul.

Shortly after the KNO’s staging of “Les Pecheurs de Perles,” the company will wrap up its 2015 season with two final productions: “Der Fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman)” and one of the opera world’s most beloved and iconic repertoires, “La Traviata.”

The local production of “Der fliegende Hollander,” a German opera by Richard Wagner, will feature soprano Manuela Uhl, Baritone Jukka Rasilaninen, bass Youn Kwang-chul and tenor Kim Suk-chul.

The opera tells the legendary and mystical tale of Norwegian ship captain Daland and his encounter with a ghostly ship and the “Flying Dutchman” who has sold his soul to the devil and is forced to wander the harsh seas for eternity. The curse can only be lifted if the Dutchman receives salvation by finding a soulmate that is pure of heart who will vow to stay true to him.

The local rendition of “Der fliegende Hollander” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater on Nov. 18, 20 and 22. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.nationalopera.org.

Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” -- one of the most reprised operas of all-time -- will close the season.

The Italian opera in three acts talks about the tragic love story of Violetta Valery, a beautiful French prostitute, and her long-time admirer nobleman Alfredo Germont. She is later coerced into sacrificing her one and only desire for true happiness in order to protect her lover’s reputation.

“La Traviata” will feature sopranos Ailyn Perez and Anna Sohn, tenors Piero Pretti and Park Ji-min and baritones You Tito and Kim Dong-won. The opera will be held at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater from Dec. 10-12. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.nationalopera.org.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)