'Women’s History Month' Celebration with Debut Recital at Carnegie Hall
Featuring Works by Composer Woo Hyowon with Korean Influences
"I sometimes boldly gave up the operatic color. This stage is also a challenge for me," said soprano Park Hye-sang, regarded as the next-generation diva, introducing her debut recital at New York's Carnegie Hall scheduled for the 3rd (local time).
To Park Hye-sang, who has built a brilliant career as a lead at the New York Metropolitan Opera and has been praised by classical music fans worldwide as having an "angelic voice" and "unique beauty," the Carnegie Hall stage is inevitably special. When we met on the afternoon of the 1st at the New York Korean Cultural Center in Manhattan ahead of the recital, she said, "Carnegie Hall is a place I knew even before I started music," adding, "I know there are very few who can hold a solo recital here, so I truly consider this a grateful opportunity."
Soprano Park Hye-sang, who is about to make her Carnegie Hall recital debut, is giving an interview on the afternoon of the 1st (local time) at the Korean Cultural Center New York, located in Manhattan, New York. [Photo by Korean Cultural Center New York]
In particular, this recital is distinctly different from other stages where soprano Park Hye-sang has performed. It has a special theme of highlighting works by modern and contemporary female composers who have greatly influenced music history, in celebration of Women's History Month in March. Park Hye-sang said, "It will be a great challenge, from lullabies showing women's motherhood to contemporary pieces I have never attempted before," adding, "I will pour emotions into every piece based on the music of female composers."
She also put great effort into the program composition. A representative example is that she contacted composer Woo Hyo-won, who has presented Korean yet modern choral music, as soon as she heard about the recital theme. On this stage, his representative choral works 'Gasiri' and 'Ari Arirang' have been arranged into soprano vocal pieces and will be unveiled for the first time with Park Hye-sang's voice.
Park Hye-sang, who said she has liked composer Woo Hyo-won for a long time, revealed, "He has a different color from other Korean composers in rhythm, meter, and color. It is close to pansori and sometimes has limitations in expression through vocal music," adding, "I like that color, so I thought about how to unfold it." Therefore, she sometimes boldly removed operatic colors and even included shouting or mournful cries within the pieces. Composer Woo, who joined the interview, said, "Park Hye-sang is a soprano who can express what I want," and added, "We share the same musical direction of wanting to incorporate Korean elements, so I participated with great expectations."
However, it must not have been easy for a 'coloratura lyric' soprano, well known for her sophisticated yet lyrical voice, to boldly abandon operatic colors. Regarding this, Park Hye-sang smiled and said, "So what." She explained, "Rather than trying to prove myself to anyone, I wanted to do my best with what I have and focus on the moment."
On the other hand, composer Woo emphasized, "This challenge is only possible with confidence." Unlike famous vocalists who follow similar paths, this can be Park Hye-sang's unique challenge. Woo also added, "Soprano Park Hye-sang is in the process of finding her next level."
Jung Kyung-hee, chairperson of the Korean Music Foundation, which planned this recital together with the New York Korean Cultural Center, also said, "This is not a list of songs that the public would cheer for. For Americans, it might be uncomfortable to hear this unfamiliar style," but added, "I saw Park Hye-sang's tenacity and confidence. I thought we would be able to taste the finest essence." CEO Kim also expressed anticipation for another 'Arirang' (Ari Arirang) that will resonate here in New York with soprano Park Hye-sang's voice.
Park Hye-sang, who is active on major global stages such as the New York Metropolitan Opera and Berlin Staatsoper, will take the stage at Lincoln Center's Met again from mid-month as Nannetta in 'Falstaff,' Verdi's last opera. She introduced, "I will show fresh and pure love." She also hopes that more Koreans will be active on the world stage, adding, "I also have the mindset that I need to pave the way for more people."
Park Hye-sang, who said she often draws inspiration from people she meets in daily life, mentioned that what she wants to do next is "to make an album with composer Woo Hyo-won." Composer Woo also predicted, "I thought we could pioneer a new genre for sopranos," adding, "It will be a completely different work from Korean art songs."
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