[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Shin Seonseop, director of Noble Art Opera Company, has been elected as the 9th chairman of the Korea Opera Company Federation. Shin Seonseop's term as the new chairman is two years, until February 2025.
New chairman Shin Seonseop graduated from the Vocal Music Department of Yeungnam University College of Music, the Lorenzo Perosi National Conservatory of Italy, and the Rome A.I.D.M Academy. He won first place at the Taranto International Vocal Competition and was the champion of the Francesco Cilea International Vocal Competition. He has performed at the Rieti Municipal Opera House as well as in Rome, Milan, Rieti, L'Aquila, Sulmona, and various locations across Europe, appearing in operas such as I Pagliacci, Il Trovatore, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Cavalleria Rusticana, The Girl of the West, Carmen, La Boh?me, and In Search of the Tree of Life.
Domestically, he has collaborated with numerous orchestras including KBS Open Concert, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Jeonju City Symphony Orchestra, and Prime Philharmonic. Chairman Shin has been recognized for his efforts to expand the base of opera, receiving awards such as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, the Grand Prize in the Opera category at the Korea Music Awards, and the 12th Korea Opera Awards Grand Prize. He previously served as the senior vice chairman of the Korea Opera Company Federation and has been the artistic director of the Seoul Opera Festival since 2016.
Shin Seon-seop, Chairman of the Korea Opera Association [Photo provided by the Korea Opera Association]
New chairman Shin Seonseop stated, "I will strive for harmony and the rights of member organizations," and added, "Through the continuous promotion of the Korea Opera Awards held in cooperation with the National Opera Company, I will encourage individuals and groups who have contributed to the development of opera and do my best to foster unity within the opera community." He also expressed his ambition, saying, "I will lead the qualitative and quantitative growth of the Korea Opera Festival, which is celebrating its 14th year this year," and "We will hold a pre-event for nationalization and promotion, making the festival a representative Korean festival loved by the public and eagerly anticipated by all, and do our utmost to expand the opera audience base." Lastly, he promised, "I will support the participation of private organizations with limited budgets in joint production projects," and pledged to enhance the Korea Opera Company Federation's capabilities through institutional support and efforts to revitalize performances.
The Korea Opera Company Federation was founded in 2007 as the 'Korea Opera Company Federation' by gathering 36 of the country's top and largest opera companies to foster and develop private opera companies. In 2009, it merged with the Korea Opera Association and was renamed the Korea Opera Company Federation. Currently, over 110 organizations participate, working toward the development and nurturing of private opera companies and the growth of opera in Korea.
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