Poland gets back painting missing during WWII

WARSAW, Poland (AP) ― A valuable 19th century Polish painting that went missing during World War II has been returned to Poland after being removed from auction in Germany, the culture minister said Wednesday.Aleksander Gierymski’s “Jewish Woman Selling Oranges” was unveiled to reporters by Culture Minister Bogdan Zdrojewski, who said the painting was returned to Poland after many months of on-and

July 28, 2011

Chung wishes South-North interaction in music

Conductor determined to prove Koreans’ passion for music at SPO’s second Europe tour in Aug.South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun said he wishes to see South Korean and North Korean musicians interact some day, as music can be used to seek a common goal beyond differences.His comments came as he was talking about his upcoming Asia tour with Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, which he founded 15 years

July 28, 2011

Israeli orchestra wows crowd at home of Wagner

BAYREUTH, Germany (AFP) ― An Israeli orchestra made history Tuesday by performing a concert in Bayreuth, the spiritual home of Hitler’s favorite composer Richard Wagner, and received a standing ovation.“It was a joy for us to play Wagner here,” Roberto Paternostro, the conductor of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, said after the first-ever performance by an ensemble from the country in this southern

July 27, 2011

‘K-pop needs strong home market, new digital platform’

S.M. Entertainment chief suggests using advertising to enable free downloadsLee Soo-man, chairman of S.M. Entertainment, said Wednesday although K-pop is increasingly popular around the world, it needs a strong boost in the local market first, to further advance to the next level.The local music market needs a new digital music distribution platform ― an iTunes-like one or an entirely different on

July 27, 2011

Rare French, Czech, Chinese shows coming to Seoul

The World Festival of National Theaters to kick off with Korea’s pansori opera in fallNational theaters from nine countries including France, the Czech Republic and China will come to Seoul this fall to participate in the 5th World Festival of National Theaters, the organizer said Tuesday.“Coming into the fifth year, we can say the festival is still at a development stage. But there will be as man

July 26, 2011

Private funeral planned for Winehouse

LONDON (AFP) ― The family and close friends of British soul singer Amy Winehouse were Tuesday set to hold a private funeral after a post-mortem failed to establish a cause of the 27-year-old’s death.A family spokesman said the ceremony for the troubled diva, who was found dead at her London home on Saturday, will be confined to family and close friends. He did not disclose the location or the time

July 26, 2011

Herbie Hancock made U.N. culture ambassador

PARIS (AP) ― Jazz great Herbie Hancock wants his music to build bridges between cultures, a mission that fits perfectly with his new role as a U.N. cultural ambassador promoting peace through culture and education.The 71-year-old ― imbued with boundless energy, curiosity and cool-cat poise ―is a natural for the job. His “The Imagine Project” album is a multicultural potpourri featuring collaborati

July 24, 2011

Girl’s Generation happy with broadening fan base

When nine-member female pop group Girls’ Generation had their first solo concert in Korea in December 2009, the members on stage felt somewhat nervous and awkward with each other’s moves.A year and a half later, the group’s international fame has helped them learn how to manage a big stage through numerous concerts around the world and members of the group have reached a point where they enjoy the

July 24, 2011

Troubled diva Amy Winehouse dead at 27

LONDON (AP) -- Few artists summed up their own career in a single song _ a single line --  as well as Amy Winehouse.``They tried to make me go to rehab,'' she sang on her world-conquering 2006 single, ``Rehab.'' ``I said 'No, no no.''' In this Aug. 5, 2007 file photo, British singer Amy Winehouse performs at Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago. The singer was found dead Saturday, July 23, 2011,

July 24, 2011

Bargain performances big on Sejong Belt

Theater buffs can benefit from major discounts for musicals and playsEveryone loves a good deal Sejong Belt ―a gathering of 47 theaters, museums and cultural organizations around Gwanghwamun Square ― provides just that; a great bargain, well, actually, 32 of them to be exact.Combo packages offering up to 60 percent off events are, without a doubt, the main attraction of this cultural hub spearhead

July 22, 2011

Pop Music

“2PM Hands Up Asia Tour”: Six-member idol group 2PM will hold its 2011 Asia Tour, starting from a Seoul concert in September. The upcoming concert in Seoul will be the act’s second solo concert in Korea and it will take place at the Jamsil Gymnasium on Sept. 2-3. The group’s Asia tour will continue through November. Making a comeback with the song “Hands Up,” the group topped online and offline ch

July 22, 2011

Classical Music

“Great Mountains Music Festival & School”: The 8th Great Mountains Music Festival & School will take place from July 24 to Aug. 13 at the Alpensia resort in Gangwon Province, gathering renowned and rising artists for 55 programs and master classes. The focus this year will be showcasing final works of great composers when they were grappling with age or illness. Under the theme “Illumination,” the

July 22, 2011

Exhibitions

“Ik-joong Kang: A Retrospective (1996-2011)”: South Korean artist Kang Ik-joong’s mini retrospective exhibition is underway at Posco art museum at the POSCO building in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul. Kang is one of most globally well-known Korean artists and represented the country at the 1997 Venice Biennale. At the exhibition, 23 of his paintings, installations and sculptures featuring the artist’

July 22, 2011

Festival

“The Great Battle of Hansan Festival 2011”: The Great Battle of Hansan (1592) is one of the four most famous sea battles in the history of Korea. Visitors to the festival, which celebrates the anniversary of the great event, will learn all about the battle while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province. This year, the festival will take place from Aug. 10 to

July 22, 2011

Theater

“The Three Musketeers”: The musical “The Three Musketeers,” for which the tickets were completely sold out in last year’s run, is back this year for only nine days. Based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel, the musical, set in 17th century France, tells stories about the adventures of D’Artagnan and the three musketeers ― Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Actors of the Korea premiere in 2009, including Yoo Jun-s

July 22, 2011

Dance

“Suspicious Paradise”: The dance show is inspired by the Demilitarized Zone, which looks like a paradise with untouched nature but is also a place deeply scarred by the Korean War. Organized by Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, it aims to offer a fresh experience to the younger generation who not know much about the war. It will run from Aug. 5 to 7 at Seoul Arts Center’s Towol Center in

July 22, 2011