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| The musical "Ben-Hur", which depicts a story of a fictional hero named Judah Ben-Hur, will be staged at the Chungmu Arts Center until Oct. 29. / Courtesy of Shoncompany |
Classical Concerts
‘Seoul International Music Festival'
Seoul Arts Center & others
From Oct. 24 to Nov. 4
From Oct. 24 to Nov. 4, the Seoul International Music Festival (SIMF) will be held at various venues in Seoul including Seoul Arts Center. The festival will bring in world-renowned groups and performers to share classical music at its best to the audience in Seoul.
This year's theme country for SIMF is Finland to commemorate 44 years of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Finland. On Oct. 24 and 25, the famous Finish ensemble, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra will play the music of Sibelius along with other Korean musical artists.
SIMF donates 5% of its profit to low-income citizens and also gives them free tickets to concerts, so that they can have a chance to experience classical music live. The regular-priced tickets for the Lahti Symphony Orchestra concert cost 24,000 to 48,000 won. For more information, visit simf.kr or call (02) 1544-5142.
‘Itzhak Perlman Violin Recital'
Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall
Nov. 12
Violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman returns to Korea for a recital at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 12. Pianist Rohan De Silva will also join him as Perlman's recital partner. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to his inspiring effort to make beautiful music despite his physical disability.
Over the past decade Perlman has become more actively involved in educational activities and less in performances. Hence, this recital will be a great opportunity for Korean audiences to enjoy the performance of undeniably the most renowned violinist in the world. The program includes Schubert's Rondo for Violin and Piano, Strauss' Violin Sonata and Debussy's Violin Sonata.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
‘Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker'
Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall
Nov. 19 and 20
Renowned English conductor Sir Simon Rattle and the world famous orchestra Berliner Philharmoniker will perform at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 19 and 20. This will be the Berliner Philharmoniker's sixth visit in South Korea, and also the final concert with Sir Simon Rattle as he will step down as artistic director of Berliner Philharmoniker in 2018.
On Nov. 19, Chinese pianist Lang Lang will interpret Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2, and the orchestra will play Brahms' Symphony No. 4. The following day, Simon Rattle will present Korean composer Jin Eun-sook's music for the first time, which was written specifically for the Berliner Philharnomiker's Asia tour this year. The program on Nov. 20 also includes Stravinsky's Petrushka and Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3.
Tickets cost 70,000 to 450,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 6303-1977.
Pop & Jazz
‘Antonio Sanchez & Migration'
LG Art Center
Nov. 25
Mexican-American jazz drummer Antonio Sanchez will give a performance with the band Migration at LG Art Center on Nov. 25. This performance will consist of two parts: a "music concert" where Sanchez and the band perform their music and a "talk concert" where he explains to the audience how he made the soundtrack of the movie "Birdman"(2014). Sanchez's popularity grew when he composed the film score for Birdman which earned him numerous nominations for awards.
The line up for the band Migration is as below; Sanchez on drums, Seamus Blake on saxophone, Thana Alexa for vocals, John Escreet on piano and Matt Brewer on bass guitar.
Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, visit www.lgart.com or call (02) 2005-0114.
Plays & Musicals
‘Ben-Hur'
Chungmu Arts Center
Until Oct. 29
The musical "Ben-Hur," based on Lew Wallace's 1880 novel of the same name, will be staged at the Chungmu Arts Center until Oct. 29.
"Ben-Hur" revolves around a fictional hero named Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman falsely accused of an assassination attempt and enslaved by the Romans. The music of this show will be performed on a combination of classical and electronic instruments, effectively bringing out the actors' performances as well as highlighting the revenge plot, which becomes a story of compassion and forgiveness. Also the stage design is expected to attract the audience's attention as Ben-Hur's story takes place in Jerusalem in 30 A.D.
Actors Yoo Joon-sang, Park Eun-tae and Ivy appear in this musical.
Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.
‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
Hongik Daehangno Art Center
Until Nov. 5
Hongik Daehangno Art Center will run a rock musical, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" from Aug. 18 to Nov. 5.
Hedwig, a transgender woman who fronts a rock band, tours around the U.S. with her band, the "Angry Inch." She abuses her husband Yitzhak, and expresses extreme hatred towards Tommy Gnosis, a famous rock star and former lover, who abandoned her after learning about her gender identity. On stage, she decides to reveal the story of her past to the audience.
Actor Oh Man-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok plays Hedwig.
Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3485-8700.
‘Rebecca'
Blue Square
Until Nov. 12
A musical full of suspense, "Rebecca", will be presented at the Blue Square until Nov. 12.
A young woman, "I", marries a man named Maxim de Winter, who is suffering from the tragic loss of his first wife, Rebecca. When "I" moves in to Maxim's place, she soon realizes that the place is heavy with a grave atmosphere. "I" fears she is an unworthy replacement for beautiful and mysterious Rebecca. However, the situation takes a new turn when Rebecca's corpse is found in a lake.
Actor Chung Sung-hwa and Um Ki-joon plays Maxim, while Kim Keum-na and Lee Ji-hye plays "I".
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-6478.
‘Titanic'
Charlotte Theater
From Nov. 10 to Feb. 11, 2018
The musical "Titanic" will be presented at the Charlotte Theater from Nov. 10 to Feb. 11, 2018. It is based on the true historic disaster and is set on the ocean liner RMS Titanic which sank on April 15, 1912, after it collided with an iceberg during its maiden voyage. There were an estimated 2,224 passengers and crew aboard the ship, and more than 1,500 died, making it one of the deadliest commercial maritime disasters in modern history.
Music and lyrics were written by Maury Yeston, and the story was written by Peter Stone. Actors Kim Yong-su, Wang Si-myung and Lee Hee-jung appear in this musical.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-5212.
‘Sister Act'
Blue Square
From Nov. 25 to Jan. 21, 2018
For the first time in Korea, the musical "Sister Act" will be presented at Blue Square from Nov. 25 to Jan 21, 2018.
The musical "Sister Act" is based on the hit 1992 film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. After having a regional premiere in 2006 in Pasadena, California, the original West End production opened in 2009 and the subsequent productions have been seen on Broadway and in many countries around the world. The musical depicts the story of Deloris van Cartier, a famous disco singer, who is put into witness protection in a convent. While struggling through the restrictions of her new lifestyle, she finds comfort in the church's choir and ends up inspiring the church and the community. Opera singer Dene Hill will play the role of van Cartier.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
Dance
‘Swan Lake'
Seoul Ars Center Opera House
Nov. 9 to 12
With the music of the famous Russian composer Tchaikovsky, the ballet company of the Mariinsky Theatre will perform at the Opera House of Seoul Arts Center from Nov. 9 to 12. Mariinsky Ballet, based in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was founded in the 18th century and is one of the world's leading ballet companies. It will be the first repertoire in which the white swan Odette and the black swan Odile are played by the same ballerina. In addition, the principal players from Mariinsky Orchestra will present the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" along with Seoul Concert Philharmonic.
Ballet dancers Viktoria Tereshkina, Irina Sapozhnikova, Kimin Kim and Sergey Umanetc will appear in this performance.
Tickets cost 50,000 to 280,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 598-9416.
Clubs
Club Octagon
Nonhyeon
Located near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, Club Octagon is notable for its stylish interiors and elite clientele. The club features a performance stage, lounge bar and dining area and is the perfect place to unwind on a night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on Line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.
Club Globe Lounge
Itaewon
Club Globe Lounge is famous among women looking for a place to throw birthday parties or enjoy a light dinner. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., it serves as a bar, changing into a club after 10 p.m. Every Thursday, Club Globe Lounge has a Happy Hour buffet for guests. Club Globe Lounge is located near the Hamilton Hotel by exit 2 of Itaewon Station on Line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127.
Club Evans
Hongik University
Club Evans is a live music club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It also operates jazz recording studios, where it produces albums for many local jazz artists, and a jazz academy. Club Evans holds jazz concerts and music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Opening at 7:30 p.m., Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station on Line 6. For more information, visit clubevans.com or call (02) 337-8361.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong
Once in a Blue Moon, one of the best-known jazz clubs in the city, features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong Intersection and Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong. For more information, visit onceinabluemoon.co.kr or call (02) 549-5490.
Club Answer
Cheongdam
Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, features music by some of the city's best DJs and a spacious interior with a state-of-the art lighting nightly. Club Answer is located in Cheongdam, a posh Seoul district known for its party culture, near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on Line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311.
Club Double Eight
Sinsa
Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to new heights. Located in Gangnam, near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. For more information, call (02) 543-8803.
