The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra opens a new season of ticket sales on Wednesday without a president ― the top management seat has remained empty since the retirement of Kim Ju-ho, whose term expired at the end of February.

The SPO and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the main sponsor of the orchestra, have been searching for a CEO to lead one of the most noted orchestras in the country but have not managed to secure one.

“The CEO of SPO is a very unique position. The person must understand both the arts and business and should be able to balance both factors,” said Kim Jin-young, an SPO public relations officer. “There are very few who are eligible for that role because arts management is a relatively new field in Korea,” she said. 

Han Mun-cheol, a Seoul Metropolitan Government official, also admitted that eligible candidates aren’t very much attracted to the post which requires both business and political acumen as he must be in constant communication with the city and SPO members. Brushing off rumors that the vacancy is due to a turf war between Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and maestro Chung Myung-whun, the artistic director of the orchestra, Han said, “We are still looking for the right person.”

Nonetheless, the SPO opens its new season ticket sales on Wednesday for SPO membership holders who pay 30,000 won a year. The season’s lineup was confirmed earlier this year. Ticket sales for non-membership holders will start on Nov. 28.

‘Symphony’ series

The SPO will highlight Beethoven concertos and symphonies, featuring his Triple Concerto and Symphony No.7 on March 15; and Violin Concerto and “Eroica” on May 24, both programs conducted by maestro Chung.

On July 5, Juraj Valchua will lead the SPO in Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Sung Shi-yeon will lead the performance of Debussy’s “Iberia” and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 on Nov. 15.

Noted musicians such as cellist Song Young-hoon and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will also be presented in the series.

‘Platinum’ and ‘Great’ series

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Verdi and Wagner’s birth, the SPO is featuring Verdi’s “Requiem” on May 2 and excerpts from Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nmberg” on June 6 as part of the “Platinum” series. Wagner’s “Tannhuser,” “Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde” and an orchestral excerpt from “Ring” will be performed on Jan. 25 and a concert performance of Verdi’s “Otello” will be staged on April 26, both as part of the “Great” series.

‘Ars Nova’

“Ars Nova” featuring world-class contemporary classical music composers’ pieces will focus on Bernd Alois Zimmermann, Olivier Messiaen, Tristan Murail and Arnold Schnberg. The orchestra will feature the very essence of these composers on April 16 and 19, and Oct. 9 and 11 next year.

‘Masterpiece’ series

Acclaimed pianists Kim Sun-wook, Son Yeol-eum and Viktoria Postnikova will join with the SPO in delivering Beethoven concertos, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn on Jan. 18, March 29, and Aug. 30, respectively. Also, noted conductor Genndy Rozhdestvensky will lead the SPO in presenting Tchaikovsky’s “Concert Fantasy” and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4 on Oct. 24.

R-seat season tickets to a total of 18 concerts ― excluding chamber music and ‘Ars Nova’ concerts ― is priced at 1.56 million won. A 30 percent discount is provided for the “early birds” who make reservations during the ticket season and a 40 percent discount is available for membership holders. For more information, call 1588-1210.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)