French composer Charles Goudnod’s opera “Faust,” which premiered in the mid-19th century in Paris, is one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. The Metropolitan Opera in New York City alone has staged it more than 750 times since 1883.The Korea National Opera is to stage “Faust” from March 16-20 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. It is the second of the opera company’s four-

Performance March 15, 2011

Swanson plans to donate books on Korea dating from 1800sPresident of SKAL Seoul Club for 2011 and Millennium Seoul Hilton general manager Eric Swanson said Korean policymakers should send a “consistent” message to the outside world to make Korean tourism sustainable in the long term.Swanson is currently busy making preparations for the 2012 SKAL World Congress to take place in Seoul on Oct. 7-12,

Travel March 14, 2011

Lotte Hotel Seoul Lotte Hotel Seoul’s Chinese restaurant Toh Lim on the 37th floor has invited the executive chef Fung Chekeung of the two-Michelin-starred Chugoku Hanten Fureika and the owner chef Nakazo Tomizo of Chugoku Hanten Group to showcase the essence of Chinese cuisine on March 16 and 17. Chugoku Hanten Fureika’s nine-course lunch and dinner courses will include a special Chinese BBQ appe

Food March 11, 2011

Even the polite Koreans’ patience had been running short during the 35-minute wait for Corinne Bailey Rae to appear. When she arrived, though, the British singer-songwriter’s irresistible smile, conversation with the audience and unbeatably soulful voice instantly killed any complaints.Performing her first solo concert in Seoul at Ax Hall on Thursday night, the 32-year-old appeared on stage wearin

Performance March 11, 2011

Mexican-American guitarist’s performance fit for a legendCarlos Santana, the 63-year-old lead guitarist of rock band Santana, transcended all kinds of barriers ― including age, language and nationality ― during his live concert in Seoul on Wednesday evening.Appearing on the Olympic Gymnastics Gymnasium’s stage with his trademark black top hat, black adidas tracksuit bottoms and matching short-slee

Performance March 10, 2011

Denis Sung-ho Janssens leads four string artists on ‘journey to the sun’Italian composer and violin virtuoso Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) was also a guitarist, composing more than 100 songs for guitar. Paganini’s Sonata for Violin and Guitar in E minor became especially famous in Korea after it was used as background music in the 1995 SBS drama “Sandglass.”Korean-born Belgian guitarist Denis Sung-

Performance March 9, 2011

Program includes new song ‘He is from Seoul, She is from Pyongyang’Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt said he will perform his song “He is from Seoul, She is from Pyongyang,” the No. 5 track of his new album “Someday, Somewhere,” at his upcoming concert in Seoul.Barakatt is scheduled to hold a “White Day” recital at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on Sunday and Monday, as March 14 i

Performance March 9, 2011

Ven. Myeongjin, former chief monk of Bongeun Temple, has left the temple permanently, claiming that he was coerced to leave by the nation’s intelligence agency chief who allegedly took issue with his anti-government comments. The Bongeun Temple is part of the Jogye order, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea, and is the largest temple in southern Seoul. Since Nov. 9, Ven. Myeongjin has been away for

Culture March 7, 2011

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra to perform Dvorak violin concerto, Bruckner symphonyThe world’s oldest civic orchestra, which moved Korean hearts with its uniquely weighty sounds in 1995, is to return to Seoul with maestro Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly taking the helm Monday and Tuesday.The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has its origins in “Grand Concert,” a concert society founded by 16 textile m

Performance March 6, 2011

JW Marriott SeoulFrom March 4 to June 26, the hotel is offering a spring picnic package for families. The package includes a one night stay in a superior room, a picnic lunch box for two people consisting of two ham & cheese sandwiches with two bottles of vitamin water, a Seoripul Park walkway map around the hotel and free access to the swimming pool and the gym. The package is available on Friday

Travel March 4, 2011

Sheraton Grande Walkerhill said it has launched a brunch program offering a New York Metropolitan Opera, filmed live.At the hotel’s theater, a high-resolution 16-by-7.5 meter screen with a 7.1 surround audio system will play the Metropolitan Opera’s 2010-2011 season programs, including all-time favorites such as “Turandot” from March to December, the hotel said.The theater’s Met Opera Brunch progr

Performance March 4, 2011

 For most South Korean people, Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province is associated with “Mungyeong Saejae,” a mountain trail that helped Koreans in the Joseon era living in the southeastern peninsula pass over the Sobaek Mountains to get to Seoul.This week Mungyeong is busy welcoming the evaluation committee that will assess the city’s bid to host the 2015 Military World Games. The committee arri

More Sports March 2, 2011

The Korean food chain industry is quickly expanding overseas on the back of growing global interest in Korean food in recent years.Korean restaurant chains, however, should realize that there are only two markets in the world to which they can successfully take Korean cuisine without much alternation, a U.S. hospitality consultant has said.“I’ve met many Korean government officials and I have advi

Food March 2, 2011