Mapo Cultural Foundation's New Year's Concert 'Crossover Rhapsody' Embracing the Meaning of 'Harmony'

On the 31st at Mapo Art Center Art Hall Mac

On the 15th, the Mapo Cultural Foundation announced that it will hold the 2024 New Year's Concert 'Crossover Rhapsody' at the Mapo Art Center Art Hall Mac on the 31st.

For this performance, the foundation formed a male quartet crossover group called 'Singers M,' consisting of countertenor Jeong Min-ho, musical actor Jo Sang-woong, baritone Kim Seong-gyeol, and bass Gu Bon-su.

Singers M will present a variety of songs ranging from familiar popular songs and pop music to musical numbers, opera arias, and Korean art songs. They will perform art songs from the 2022 original musical 'First Love' produced by the foundation, including 'First Love,' 'Snow,' and 'Even If Life Deceives You,' along with original art songs created by the foundation to promote the beauty of Hangul, such as 'Naddal (written by Bae Doo-ri, composed by Lee Jin-wook)' and 'Somang (poem by Na Tae-joo, composed by Son Il-hoon),' all delivered with Singers M's sweet harmonies. Additionally, countertenor Jeong Min-ho will perform 'Love of My Life' by the British rock band Queen, and baritone Kim Seong-gyeol will sing Kim Kwang-seok's 'Letter.'

SingersM [Photo by Mapo Cultural Foundation]

Singers M offers a sweet harmony with four distinct voices: a countertenor who sings in a high range similar to a female voice, a baritone with a rich mid-low tone, a bass with the lowest male vocal range, and a skilled musical actor. The foundation stated that the crossover performance was prepared to convey a message of harmony for the new year by blending diverse voices from different genres to create a new musical experience.

Leader of Singers M, countertenor Jeong Min-ho, transitioned from tenor to countertenor and was admitted without examination to the highest performance course at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in the Netherlands, graduating with full marks. He is currently active as a soloist in Baroque music such as Passions and Oratorios both domestically and internationally. Bass Gu Bon-su graduated from the Vocal Music Department of the Korea National University of Arts. While studying abroad at the Weimar State University of Music in Germany, he gained public recognition by appearing on 'JTBC Phantom Singer Season 3.' He also reached the final top 5 on 'MBN Voice King.'

Kim Seong-gyeol is a baritone praised by the world-renowned soprano Raina Kabaivanska for his "voice with rich volume and powerful strength." He was admitted as the top student to the Opera Department of the Verdi Conservatory in Italy and graduated at the top of his class. He is currently active as a lead performer in European theaters, centered around the Luciano Pavarotti Theater.

Musical actor Jo Sang-woong debuted in the musical 'The Lion King' with the prestigious Japanese theater company 'Shiki' and worked as a company member for seven years. Following actor Hong Kwang-ho, he became the second Korean to perform as Thuy in 'Miss Saigon' in London's West End in 2015. He continues to be active on both theater and musical stages.

For more details about the New Year's Concert 'Crossover Rhapsody,' please visit the foundation's official website.