Gangnam-gu Hosts Concert with Neighbors

Gangnam-gu to Host Concert with Neighbors... Performance of Mendelssohn's Masterpiece ‘Elijah’

First Public-Private Joint Performance Featuring Gangnam Symphony Orchestra and ChungHyun Church United Choir

Held at ChungHyun Church Main Sanctuary on September 8 at 7 PM, Advance Reservations Available on Gangnam Cultural Foundation Website Until August 28

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will hold a ‘Concert with Neighbors’ at the main sanctuary of ChungHyun Church from 7 PM to 9 PM on September 8, featuring a performance of Mendelssohn’s oratorio ‘Elijah.’

The ‘Concert with Neighbors’ was planned to create a platform for exchange between the Gangnam Arts Group and local cultural and artistic organizations and to offer residents opportunities to enjoy diverse cultural arts through joint performances. For the first performance, a collaborative stage between the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra and ChungHyun Church United Choir will present Mendelssohn’s beautiful and majestic melodies to the residents.

‘Elijah,’ regarded as Mendelssohn’s greatest masterpiece, is counted among the world’s three greatest oratorios alongside Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and Haydn’s ‘The Creation.’ An oratorio is a large-scale vocal composition with orchestral accompaniment that tells a religious story.

Fitting for a large-scale performance, 274 performers will grace the stage. The conductor is Park Young-min, former principal conductor of the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra and currently the conductor of ChungHyun Church Immanuel Choir. Top domestic vocalists including Samuel Yoon (bass-baritone), Guk Yoon-jong (tenor), Kim Sharon (soprano), and Lim Eun-kyung (mezzo-soprano) will participate as soloists. The Gangnam Symphony Orchestra’s 69 members will perform the orchestral parts, and 200 members of the ChungHyun Church United Choir will sing in the chorus.

Those wishing to attend the concert can make advance reservations. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the Gangnam Cultural Foundation website until August 28, and in-person applications are also accepted at each community service center. Admission is free, and anyone aged 7 and older can attend.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “I hope this first public-private joint concert will serve as a foundation for active exchange among cultural and artistic organizations within the community,” adding, “We will continue to expand exchanges with private arts groups to support residents in enjoying rich arts in their daily lives.”