Hope and Comfort Delivered Through Voice... National Chorus Year-End Concert 'Like Winter Mask, Spring Comes'

December 12th, 7:30 PM, Lotte Concert Hall
Featuring choral arrangements of original choral works, Korean art songs, and classic popular songs

Year-end Concert Performance Footage. Photo by National Chorus.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The National Chorus announced on the 28th that it will hold its 192nd regular concert, "2022 Year-End Concert: Like Spring After a Winter Mask," at Lotte Concert Hall on December 12.

This performance is composed of a stage where the National Chorus newly arranges and presents original choral works, Korean art songs, and beloved Korean popular songs in choral classical versions. The program, themed around longing and comfort, gratitude and love, joy and happiness, passion and hope, aims to offer a warm end-of-year experience.

The year-end concert will be conducted by Yoon Euijung, the director and artistic director of the National Chorus, along with associate conductor Park Seoni. The performance features the National Chorus, Korea Coop Orchestra, and Seoul Boys and Girls Choir. Soloists include soprano Kang Hyejung, who has played leading roles in world-renowned operas such as "The Marriage of Figaro" and "The Magic Flute"; baritone Kim Kihoon, the first Korean winner of the UK's prestigious vocal competition "BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021"; and traditional Korean musician Go Youngyeol, who has performed as a soloist in several works with the National Chorus including the original cantata "My Country" and the "2021 Year-End Concert." Baritone Jung Kyung will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The concert begins with "Arirang Overture" by Han Areum, the National Chorus's resident composer, followed by five works under the theme of "Longing and Comfort." These include Jo Hyeyoung’s "Unforgettable," which sets the poetry of lyric poet Kim Sowol to music, expressing the sorrow of not forgetting a departed loved one and the sadness of love fading over time; Woo Hyowon's "Until the Peonies Bloom," based on the poetry of Kim Youngrang, which musically interprets the brilliant sorrow contained in the verses; and Kim Hyogeun’s "Even If Life Deceives You," conveying messages of comfort and hope.

Under the theme of "Gratitude and Love," the stage features songs from musical films such as "I Could Have Danced All Night" from the OST of My Fair Lady and "When I Fall in Love" from the film Sleepless in Seattle.

For the theme of "Joy and Happiness," three Christmas carols will be performed. These include "White Christmas," the theme song from the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn, which won the Best Original Song award at the 15th Academy Awards; "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" the theme song from the 1948 film Romance On The High Seas; and "Winter Children's Song Medley," composed by Ahn Hyoyoung, the National Chorus's resident composer, performed together with the Korea Coop Orchestra and Seoul Boys and Girls Choir.

The final stage, themed "Passion and Hope," opens with "The Impossible Dream" by Mitch Leigh, the signature song from the musical Man of La Mancha, sung by baritone Kim Kihoon. This is followed by composer Oh Byunghui’s "Song of Hope" and Woo Hyowon's "Buk," performed by traditional musician Go Youngyeol.

Tickets for the "2022 Year-End Concert: Like Spring After a Winter Mask" can be purchased through the Interpark Ticket website and the Lotte Concert Hall homepage.

Poster for the National Chorus 192nd Regular Concert_2022 Year-End Concert_Winter Mask Like Spring Comes. Photo by National Chorus