Gyeonggi Philharmonic's "Festival of Spring" and "Tristan and Isolde" Performances

Base Yeon Gwangcheol Collaboration

German composer Richard Wagner's (1813?1883) opera 'Tristan und Isolde' and Russian composer Igor Stravinsky's (1882?1971) ballet music 'The Rite of Spring.'

Both works are regarded as highly influential pieces in the history of Western music. The Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra will perform both compositions in the Masterpiece Series concerts held at the Gyeonggi Arts Center Grand Theater on the 7th and at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on the 8th.

This is the first time in eight years since 2015 that the Gyeonggi Philharmonic will perform 'The Rite of Spring.'

'The Rite of Spring' was a controversial work that caused such a commotion at its premiere in 1913 that the police had to intervene. Stravinsky composed 'The Rite of Spring' to musically depict the pagan rituals of ancient Russia, where humans were sacrificed to pray for the earth's fertility. Although it is now considered a work ahead of its time, at its premiere, the orchestra's harsh dissonances, primitive rhythms, and repeated percussion assaults provoked shouts and curses from an audience unaccustomed to such sounds.

In this concert, the Gyeonggi Philharmonic will also present the Prelude to Act 1 of 'Tristan und Isolde.' World-renowned bass Yeon Gwang-cheol will perform the aria 'Daland's Aria' from 'Tristan und Isolde.' Premiered in 1865, 'Tristan und Isolde' is regarded as a work that greatly influenced the birth of modern music.

Base Yeon Gwang-cheol [Photo by Gyeonggi Art Center]

Yeon Gwang-cheol is a world-class opera singer who has performed on major stages worldwide, including the Bayreuth Festival in Germany, and has been awarded the title of Berlin Court Singer by the German state government. After debuting as a minor role, the Night Watchman, in Wagner's 'Die Meistersinger von N?rnberg' at the Bayreuth Festival, he gained recognition as a 'Wagner specialist' by performing roles in 'Tannh?user,' 'Tristan und Isolde,' 'Die Walk?re,' 'Das Rheingold,' and the lead role of Gurnemanz in 'Parsifal.'

Yeon Gwang-cheol is scheduled to perform three arias in total, including those from Wagner's other operas 'Tannh?user' and 'The Flying Dutchman.'

The conductor for the day will be Hong Seok-won, artistic director of the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra. He commented, "If I were to name groundbreaking and shocking works that changed the course of Western music history, Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' and Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' would be indispensable. This concert offers the opportunity to experience the most innovative works of two composers who were pioneers of their time in a single day."