Classical music

Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra: One of the two most prominent orchestras in Switzerland, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra will hold its first performance in Korea on April 21 at Seoul Arts Center. David Zinman, its principal conductor since 1995, will take the baton, while famed violinist Gidon Kremer will join as soloist. The concert will open with two works by Beethoven: Overture to “The Creatures of Prometheus” Op. 43 and Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61. It will close with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor Op. 98. Ticket prices range from 24,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI: Early-music heavyweight Jordi Savall will bring his Hesperion XXI ensemble to Korea for a concert titled “Orient & Occident.” He will play music composed in the Mediterranean area from the 13th to 18th centuries as part of his efforts to bridge the gap between the Islamic Arab region and Christian Europe through music. The Hesperion XXI, an ensemble Savall put together, will feature three players of traditional Arab instruments. Savall himself will play the rebab, a traditional string instrument used in Arab countries. The concert will be held April 29 at LG Arts Center in Seoul. Ticket starts from 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

“La Traviata”: The Korea National Opera is staging Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” for four nights from April 24 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Directed by Arnaud Bernard, a young and promising opera director from France, the production tries to accentuate violence ― both in physical and mental realms ― of society in the tragic love story between Alfredo and Violetta, a sick prostitute. Sopranos Joyce El-Khoury and Lyubov Petrova will play Violetta, while tenors Kang Yosep and Ivan Magri will share the role of Alfredo. Music is conducted by Patrick Lange. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5363. 

“Salome”: The Korea Opera Group is bringing the provocative opera “Salome” to the Opera House of Seoul Arts Center, nearly 21 years after France’s Bastille Opera staged its production of the work at the opera house’s grand opening. With the music by Richard Strauss and libretto adopted from the eponymous play by Oscar Wilde, the story depicts a peculiar love-hate relationship between King Herod and his stepdaughter Salome, a prototypical femme fatale who wants the one thing she can’t have ― the love of the prophet John the Baptist. Sopranos Katja Beer and Carola Glaser will play Salome, while Korean singers will fill the rest of the cast. Director Maurizio Di Mattia has moved the setting to a futuristic city of violence, crime and greed. The Korea Opera Group’s production of “Salome,” which will also be an opener at the fifth Korea Opera Festival, runs three nights from May 2. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.kopera.co.kr.

Pop music

“Monni Follow My Voice”: Local rock band Monni officially debuted as a band in 2005 with its first studio album “The First Day, the Light.” Since then, the band has slowly climbed out of the small-time local club scene to play at some of the country’s most popular summer rock festivals. It has been nearly three years since Monni released a full studio album, and the rock group is finally making its return with its third album “Follow My Voice.” Monni will be hosting two shows at Sangsang Madang on April 26-27. For more information on ticket prices and reservations, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Jeff Beck: The legendary English rock guitarist Jeff Beck will be putting on a special solo concert performance in Seoul this April. Beck was once ranked No. 5 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and was described as “one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock.” The 69-year-old has had one of the most illustrious rock and roll careers as a former member of the Yardbirds band playing alongside other rock legends Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, and has landed himself in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, both as a solo artist and a member of the Yardbirds. Beck will be performing live at the Seoul Olympic Park’s Olympic Hall on April 27. Tickets range from 88,000 won to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Hyundai Culture Project 14 John Mayer”: The multiple Grammy Award winning America pop-folk singer John Mayer will be putting on his first concert in Korea since he made his musical debut more than 10 years ago. Mayer made his official debut in 2001 with his first album “Room for Squares” and featured a number of hit singles including “No Such Thing,” “Why Georgia” and “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” which snagged Mayer his first Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2003. The upcoming concert is the 14th installment of the Hyundai Card Culture Project series, which in the past brought acts such as The Killers, Keane, John Legend, Ke$ha, Jason Mraz and many others. Mayer will perform on May 6 at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. Ticket prices are listed between 110,000 won and 132,000 won, with a special “couple package” listed at 300,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Paul McCartney: Out There”: Paul McCartney, former front man of the world’s most iconic music act The Beatles, will be holding his first concert in Korea in May. The show is part of his “Out There” world tour that began in Brazil last year and hitting up major cities all across the globe. McCartney is slated to perform tracks from his latest solo album “New” as well as popular songs from his Beatles days. The legendary rock star is considered one of the most successful songwriters in history and composed many of The Beatles’ hit songs such as “Hey Jude,” “Yesterday” and “Let it Be.” As part of Hyundai Card’s “Super Concert” series, McCartney will perform live on May 28 at Seoul’s Jamsil Stadium. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 55,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Dance

“Nacho Duato ― MULTIPLICITY, forms of silence and emptiness”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is staging Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato’s piece “MULTIPLICITY, forms of silence and emptiness” for the first time in Korea. The company is the first Korean troupe to perform the dance. Featuring well-known baroque compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, including excerpts from the Brandenburg Concertos, concertos for organ, and sonatas for cello and violin, the piece aims to deliver the emotional essence of his music, as well as the important moments in the legendary composer’s life. The show runs from April 25 to 27 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114. 

“11 Minutes”: The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is staging “11 Minutes,” a dance based on Brazilian author Paulo Coelho’s erotic novel of the same title, for the second time. The dance is the first troupe to perform since its new director, Ahn Ae-soon, took over last year. For the upcoming second run, popular filmmaker Kim Tae-yong (“Late Autumn”) is joining the dancers as a dramaturge. A total of five dancers will perform on stage to the sounds of jazz. The five are Kim Bo-ra, Kim Bo-ram, Ryu Jin-wook, Ji Kyung-min and Choi Soo-jin. “11 Minutes” will run from April 15-20 at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 3472-1420.

“Vortex”: The National Dance Company of Korea, which has been solely focusing on Korean traditional dance, is collaborating with a foreign choreographer for the first time since its inception in 1962. Their upcoming performance, “Vortex,” is choreographed by Finnish artist Tero Saarinen. Participating dancers include Kim Mi-ae, the troupe’s principal dancer, and Park Hye-ji, an apprentice who was surprisingly selected by Saarinen to perform the role of one of the leading characters. “Vortex” runs from April 16-19 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) 2280-4116 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

“Mookhyang”: Fashion designer Jung Kuho’s dance “Mookhyang (Scent of Ink)” is returning for its second run in June. The piece is his second collaboration with the National Dance Company of Korea, a group that specializes in traditional Korean dance. It is inspired by Korean traditional ink painting and pays special attention to the “four noble ones,” the four plants that are believed to epitomize Korea’s Confucian aesthetics: bamboo, the chrysanthemum, the plum blossom and the orchid. The four were praised for their beauty and resilience, and were often painted by artists during the Joseon era. “Mookhyang” runs from June 1-7 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

Theater

“A Piece on Mother and Fatherland”: Polish theater director Jan Klata’s play “A Piece on Mother and Fatherland” is being performed by a Polish cast in Seoul. The play, which was premiered at Teatr Polski we Wroclawiu in 2011, was performed in Russia, Switzerland, Japan and Croatia before arriving in Korea. It deals with a holocaust survivor’s difficult relationship with her daughter, who wants to distance herself from her mother’s traumatic past. The play runs from May 16 to 17 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-1004. 

“Ophelia”: Local musical “Ophelia,” an interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” is being staged in Seoul in May. Ophelia is a fictional character who appears in “Hamlet.” She’s a young noblewoman whose father is killed by her love interest, Hamlet, and eventually goes mad. The upcoming musical is centered on Ophelia, rather than Hamlet ― the protagonist in the original Shakespeare play. Composer Choi Woo-jeong, screenwriter and former Culture Minister Kim Myung-gon, and contemporary dancer Cha Jin-yup participated in the project. “Ophelia” runs from May 16-25 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 515-0405.

“Bonnie & Clyde”: The Broadway musical “Bonnie & Clyde” is being staged in Seoul for the second time. The musical features the infamous story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the well-known robbers who traveled the central United States during the Great Depression. The show had its Broadway premiere in 2011 and was nominated for two Tony awards in 2012. “Bonnie & Clyde” runs from April 15 to June 29 at BBC Arts Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-0688.

“Full House”: The local musical “Full House” is kicking off its first run in April. Based on manga artist Won Soo-yeon’s 1993 hit series of the same name, the musical deals with an unusual romance between a famous actor and a scriptwriter. Won’s manga was made into a popular TV series in 2004, starring Rain and Song Hye-gyo in the lead roles. “Full House” runs from April 11 to June 8 at Hongik Daehangno Art Center in Hongdae, Seoul. Tickets range from 55,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4350.

“Seopyeonje”: A musical adaptation of late author Lee Cheong-jun’s celebrated novel of the same title, “Seopyeonje” is back for another run in Seoul. The musical tells the poignant tale of pansori singers trying to make a living in the modern world by performing their traditional vocal and percussion music. The show debuted in 2011 to much acclaim, winning five prizes at the 2011 The Musical Awards. Popular pansori singer Lee Ja-ram and musical actress Cha Ji-yeon share the lead role of Song-hwa, while Korean-American actor Michael Lee and actor Song Yong-jin star as Dong-ho, Song-hwa’s love interest. The show will run from March 20 to May 11 at Universal Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 110,000 won. For tickets and information, call 1577-3363.

“Ghost the Musical”: The Korean production of “Ghost the Musical” is being performed in Seoul. The show is an adaptation of the megahit 1990 romantic fantasy-thriller film “Ghost,” starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, which was also hugely popular in Korea. The musical had its world premiere in Manchester, England, in 2011, and was also performed on Broadway in 2012. The current Korean production is the first in Asia. It tells the story of Molly, a grieving young woman in danger, and the ghost of her murdered boyfriend Sam, who tries to save her with the help of a wacky psychic. The current run stars some of the most popular musical and TV stars in the country, including Joo Won, Ivy and Park Ji-yeon. “Ghost the Musical” runs until June at D-Cube Arts Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 557-1987.

Exhibitions

“Then and Now”: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea holds an exhibit that celebrates the 60th anniversary of the National Academy of Arts at Deoksugung Palace Museum until July 27. The exhibition showcases 79 artworks by 35 late members and 22 current members of the respected art institution. The works on exhibit include paintings, sculptures, crafts, architecture made by renowned artists who have played pioneering roles in Korean modern and contemporary art. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr. 

Shirin Neshat: The retrospective of Iranian-born media artist Shirin Neshat presents 20 years of her works at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. The exhibition showcases two photograph series “Women of Allah” and “The Book of Kings,” a black-and-white video trilogy ― “Turbulent,” “Rapture” and “Fervor” ― and award-winning film “Women without Men.” Using a visual metaphor and compelling sounds, Neshat confronts the complexities of identity, gender and power to express her vision that embraces the depth of Islamic tradition and Western concepts of individuality and liberty. The exhibition runs through July 13 at the Seoul branch of the MMCA. For more information, call (02) 3701-9500, or visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Liquid Times”: The Seoul Museum of Art is presenting a group exhibition of contemporary Korean and Chinese artists as part of an exchange program with Sonzhuang Art Center and White Box Museum of Art in Beijing. The exhibition covers a variety of contemporary art practices from photography to installations to media art. Borrowing its name from Zygmunt Bauman’s popular book “Liquid Times: Living in an Age of Uncertainty,” the exhibition reflects on the anxiety and confusion prevalent in today’s society. The works on display include staged gravity-defying photographs by Beijing-based photographer and performance artist Li Wei; a collection of money and baskets that artist Lee Won-ho bought from beggars in Seoul; and a wooden house installation and a video taken by Chinese artist Song Dong while riding a bicycle in Beijing. The exhibition runs through May 11 at the Seoul Museum of Art. For more information, visit sema.seoul.go.kr.

“The Republic of Apartments”: This exhibition at the Seoul Museum of History takes the audience on a journey through the history of Korean apartment development and looks into the influence of apartments on Koreans’ lifestyles. Contemporary artists present different perspectives on apartments through paintings, photographs and installations depicting lives, memories and even humor associated with living in apartments in Korea. Photographer Ahn Se-kwon’s panoramic image of Wolgok-dong, a northern area in Seoul where new apartments have been built in an old neighborhood, shows two contrasting scenes. The left side shows well-lit, newly built apartments while the right side is full of old, unlit houses. The exhibition continues through May 6 at the Seoul Museum of History at 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. For more information, visit www.museum.seoul.kr.

Festivals

Hampyeong Butterfly Festival: A parade of butterflies, flowers and plants will adorn the small town of Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province, from May 2-11. During the festival, about 120,000 butterflies will be released over flower gardens across an area of 1 square kilometer. Admission is 7,000 won for adults, 6,000 won per person for a group of 20, 5,000 for teenagers and 3,000 for children. For more information, call (061) 322-0011, or visit hampyeong.go.kr.

Boseong Green Tea Festival: Boseong, home to one of the largest green tea plantations in Korea, will hold its annual green tea festival from May 2-6. Visitors are invited to a variety of hands-on programs, including picking tea leaves and performing the “darye” tea ceremony. Other programs include trekking through tea farms to a nearby mountain, tasting green tea snacks, a marathon and a photo contest. For more information, visit dahyang.boseong.go.kr.

Gwangalli Eobang Festival: Eobang refers to the fishermen’s cooperative community in Suyeong in Busan. The festival, which runs from April 25-27 at Gwangalli Beach in Busan, is the largest spring celebration in the southeastern port city. Visitors will be able to enjoy fishermen’s dances and games, raw fish and other seafood dishes, as well as other colorful events in the natural setting of Gwangalli Beach. For more information, visit festival-eobang.suyeong.go.kr or call (051) 610-4061. (Yonhap)

Ulsan Whale Festival: Ulsan, the southern coastal industrial city known for being a habitat of migratory whales, will celebrate its 20th whale festival from April 24-27 in the city’s special whale district and along the Taehwagang River. The four-day event commemorates the whaling heritage of Ulsan. Whaling is banned for environmental reasons. Festival goers will be offered a look into the history and tradition of whaling at the Ulsan Whale Museum. It will include night cruises along the coast, parades and dance performances. For more information, visit www.ulsanwhale.com (English available).