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| A scene from the Korean musical 'Ludwig: Beethoven the Piano' / Courtesy of Gwasuwon Musical Company |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The musical "Ludwig: Beethoven the Piano," a Korean musical revolving around the renowned German composer, has become Korea's latest cultural export to China.
A licensed Chinese production of the musical will be staged in Shanghai in December.
The Korean musical, premiered in 2018, portrays Ludwig van Beethoven's life as a musician and his conflict with nephew Karl, whom Ludwig wants to raise into a musician.
The year 2020 celebrates the 250th anniversary of the classical music composer and "Ludwig" presents its third production in Korea at the Daehangno TOM Theater, Hall 1, until Sept. 27. This production focuses on the strife between Ludwig and Karl, who wants to be a soldier but has to follow Ludwig's dream instead of his own.
The musical features three different actors to portray different stages of Ludwig's life. From a child actor and a young Ludwig to the elderly Ludwig who recollects his life, the musical shows various aspects of the composer's life.
As Ludwig suffers from hearing loss, the fictional character Marie brings him hope. Marie is described as an ambitious woman who dreams of becoming an architect and inspires Ludwig to think outside the box. Her addition makes the musical take a step forward from being a plain biographical one, adding contemporary elements.
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| Poster for the Chinese production of the Korean musical 'Ludwig: Beethoven The Piano," which will be staged in Shanghai in December / Courtesy of Gwasuwon Musical Company |
The musical's score features some of Beethoven's best-known compositions such as Piano Sonata No. 14, also known as the Moonlight Sonata; Piano Sonata No. 8, or Sonata Pathetique; and Symphony No. 5, "Fate," and conveys the turbulent life of the composer and people around him.
To emphasize the importance of music in this show, the pianist is stationed on stage so the audience can see him play the instrument, reflecting Beethoven's feelings.
The musical held a showcase in China in September 2019 as part of K-Musical Road Show, co-hosted by the Korea Arts Management Service and the Shanghai Culture Square Theatre. It is a platform for exchange and cooperation between Korean and Chinese musical theater.
At the event, six Korean musicals ― including "Thank You Very Strawberry," "Fly like a Butterfly," "Little Musician," "Marie Curie" and "Xcalibur" as well as "Ludwig" ― were presented and "Ludwig" became the first among them to sign a license contract with a Chinese production company.
The Chinese version of "Ludwig" will be staged from Dec. 22 to 27.
