With summer just around the corner, Seoulites may be looking for the best ways to escape the scorching heat and bask in the sights and sounds of riveting performances.

Luckily for them, there are many events in store for them this summer – from vocal to dance and classical.

Andrea Bocelli

Returning for his first concert in Korea in six years, the internationally praised blind Italian classical crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform a solo show in Seoul on May 1. 

He is best known for his repertoire of classic operatic arias and classical-inspired contemporary pieces. Last year the 57-year-old Grammy nominee released his 15th solo album, “Cinema.” Bocelli’s new album, which was released in October, went on to top Billboard’s Classical Crossover Albums chart, marking the tenor’s 11th No. 1 ranking in his illustrious career and extending his record for the most number of chart-topping albums among all artists.

The crossover album also features the track “E più ti penso,” a duet with the popular American pop star Ariana Grande.

In 1997, Bocelli made history when his album “Romanza” sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, cementing the release as the best-selling album by an Italian artiste of any genre. His next album “Sacred Arias” two years later also went on to become the biggest-selling classical crossover album by a solo artist.

Bocelli will perform live at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium in Seoul. Ticket prices range from 115,000 won to 290,000 won. For more information, call 02-6348-6077.

Not the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty

Hailed as one of U.K.’s most popular and successful choreographers/directors, Matthew Bourne will premiere in Korea his critically-acclaimed “gothic romance” dance reinterpretation of the classic fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty.” 

Combining dance, cabaret and circus elements with the music of Tchaikovsky, Bourne has reinvented the traditional tale of good vs. evil into a visual masterpiece of supernatural love with a gothic twist. “Sleeping Beauty” had its world premiere in the U.K. in November 2012, and became the fastest-selling show at the prestigious Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.

Bourne’s story tells the story of Princess Aurora during the 1890s -- a time of fairies and vampires. However, after falling into a century-long slumber, the princess awakens to find herself in an unknown modern world. 

Although the choreographer is well-known for his contemporary reinterpretations of classical ballet productions set to Tchaikovsky music, including “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake,” the latest production of “Sleeping Beauty” is considered to be much darker than his previous works.

“Sleeping Beauty” will be staged at the LG Arts Center in Seoul from June 22 to July 3. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, visit www.lgart.com.

Lucerne Symphony Orchestra

The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra will perform for the first time in Korea this summer for one night only on June 24.

The ensemble was founded two centuries ago in 1806 and is Switzerland’s oldest symphony orchestra. Known for its interpretations of classical-romantic repertoires, the ensemble is currently under the leadership of American conductor James Gaffigan, who has worked with some of the classical music world’s leading ensembles including the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago Philharmonics. He was also the first principal guest conductor of Germany’s Gurzenich Orchestra, a position that was created specially for him.  

The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra will perform C.M. von Weber’s “Euryanthe” overture, Edward Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16” and Antonin Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88.”

The concert will be at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)