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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] "It is a promise to the audience, and I believe opera must not stop, so despite difficult circumstances, we decided to hold the performance. We cut costs and the vocalists all made some concessions."

La Bella Opera Company will present a grand opera again this year despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On the 28th and 29th, they will perform Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Ernani' at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center. This work is being performed in Korea for the first time in 26 years since the Seoul Metropolitan Opera Company’s domestic premiere in 1994. Lee Kang-ho, director of La Bella Opera Company, whom we recently met at their office, said, "It is truly a great opera, but it has not been performed much in our country."

Since 2015, starting with 'Anna Bolena,' La Bella Opera Company has presented performances that are hard to see domestically, accepting deficits every year. 'Anna Bolena' is a work by Gaetano Donizetti, famous for 'The Elixir of Love,' and La Bella Opera Company gave its domestic premiere. Last year, they premiered another Donizetti work, 'Maria Stuarda,' in Korea.

Director Lee said, "'Anna Bolena' and 'Maria Stuarda' are part of Donizetti's Queen Trilogy," adding, "We plan to perform the remaining work, 'Roberto Devereux,' someday to complete the Queen Trilogy."

In 2016 and 2017, they performed Umberto Giordano's 'Andrea Ch?nier' and Donizetti's 'Don Pasquale,' respectively.

Lee Kang-ho, Director of La Bella Opera Company [Photo by La Bella Opera Company]

Grand operas require considerable production costs. Director Lee said that even if the seats are sold out, there is no profit. The reason for staging grand operas despite losses is a kind of mission to introduce operas that are not well known domestically. He pointed out that government-supported national and public opera companies often repeat familiar repertoires such as 'Tosca' and 'La Boh?me.'

"Opera fans are enthusiasts. They go to foreign opera houses to watch performances because they are not satisfied with the domestic repertoire. Therefore, we try to perform one grand opera each year with works not introduced in Korea. I believe someone has to do this."

The insufficient funds are supported by government subsidies and corporate sponsorships. This year, corporate sponsorships have sharply declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "When I say it’s difficult because of COVID-19, there is nothing more to say."

As a result, the number of performances was reduced from four last year to two this year. Director Lee said, "With social distancing applied, only half of the seats are open, so it is practically like holding only one performance."

Director Lee graduated from Hanyang University’s vocal music department and completed a master's course at the Giuseppe Nicolini National Conservatory in Italy. After working as a tenor, he founded La Bella Opera Company in 2007. Currently, La Bella Opera Company is the most active private opera company. In addition to performing grand operas annually, they have been holding a vocal competition for 12 years. In May, they presented the kids’ opera 'Pupu Island.' The reason for continuing the opera company despite difficult conditions is also to provide a stage for vocalists.

"Korean vocalists are standing out on the world stage. There is no theater worldwide without Korean opera singers. Many singers should also be active domestically, but the system is not in place. Because there are many singers but no stages, vocalists appear a lot on broadcasts. People talk about popularizing opera through broadcasts, but the programs currently aired are far from popularizing opera. Opera singers must sing opera."

A scene from the opera 'Maria Stuarda' performed by La Bella Opera Company last year at the Seoul Arts Center

'Ernani' is a four-act opera completed by Verdi in 1844 based on Victor Hugo’s play of the same name. It depicts the intense love of three men?Ernani, Silva, and Carlo?for a woman named Elvira. Ernani was the lord of Aragon but was exiled for treason and became the leader of the rebels opposing King Carlo. Silva is a nobleman and Elvira’s arranged marriage partner.

Director Lee said all the pieces in 'Ernani' are gems. "There are many wonderful pieces. Especially the quartet sung by the four main characters is truly magnificent."

The story of 'Ernani' is close to a melodrama. "The story of three men loving one woman is melodramatic, but it is also regarded as Verdi’s first psychological opera. Most operas deal with stories more entertaining than morning dramas. I don’t understand why people find opera difficult. I hope people come to watch opera comfortably without prejudice that opera is hard. Just knowing that 'Ernani' deals with a love quadrangle is enough to enjoy the performance. It has a charm you cannot find in musicals or concerts."

Director Lee said he plans to create a space soon where people can drink coffee while listening to vocalists’ arias. "It is to create a space where the public can easily access opera. Through that space, we want to create an opportunity for people to come easily to opera theaters. Less than 1% of Koreans have actually seen opera because there are few opportunities. I am confident that more than 80% will enjoy it once they come."

Director Lee revealed plans to perform 'Anna Bolena' again at the Korea Opera Festival in May next year after five years. He also added that the opera documentary film 'Opera is Fun,' which began filming at the end of last year, is scheduled to be released in the second half of next year.