'Due to COVID-19' KBS Symphony, Gyeonggi Philharmonic, and Other Classical Performances Canceled One After Another

Korean Symphony 35th Anniversary Concert and 'Rossini Opera Concertante: The Barber of Seville' Also Canceled

KBS Symphony Orchestra

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), classical performances scheduled for this week are being canceled one after another.

The KBS Symphony Orchestra announced on the 24th that it will cancel all regular concerts scheduled for the 27th and 28th following the elevation of the COVID-19 crisis alert to the 'serious' level. The KBS Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to hold regular concerts on the 27th at Andong Culture & Arts Center and at Seoul Arts Center.

The KBS Symphony Orchestra explained that it decided to cancel abruptly considering its social responsibility as a public broadcasting symphony orchestra prioritizing the lives and safety of the public, and the fact that this week is a critical turning point for the spread of community infection.

They added that refunds will be processed according to relevant regulations for individual ticket purchasers and regular and corporate members due to the performance cancellations.

The KBS Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to perform Symphony No. 1 "Titan" by German composer Gustav Mahler (1860?1911).

The Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra also canceled the Anthology Series performances scheduled for the 27th (Goyang Aram Nuri Aram Music Hall) and 28th (Lotte Concert Hall). The Gyeonggi Philharmonic was to perform Dvo??k's "Cello Concerto" featuring German-born cellist Daniel M?ller-Schott and also Sibelius' Symphony No. 5.

The Korean Symphony Orchestra canceled its 35th anniversary commemorative concert scheduled for the 5th of next month at the Seoul Arts Center.

The Korean Symphony Orchestra announced that Richard Strauss's "Alpine Symphony," which was to be performed in the second part of the commemorative concert, will be presented through the Seoul Arts Center's planned performance "2020 Symphony Festival with Hanwha." The 2019 Symphony Festival with Hanwha will open on March 31, and the Korean Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform on April 17.

The performance planning company Art & Artist announced the cancellation of the "Rossini Opera Concertante: The Barber of Seville" performance scheduled for the 8th of next month at Lotte Concert Hall to ensure the safety of artists and audiences.