Soprano Park Hyesang to Release DG Album 'BREATHE' and Hold Recital on February 13

Universal Music announced that soprano Park Hyesang, who has performed on global stages such as the New York Metropolitan Opera and the Berlin State Opera, will release her second studio album under Deutsche Grammophon (DG) titled 'BREATHE' on February 2, 2024. Park Hyesang will also hold a recital at Lotte Concert Hall on February 13, 2024, to celebrate the release of her new album.

'BREATHE' is Park Hyesang's first album in four years since her debut album 'I AM HERA,' released by DG in 2020. The album explores existential questions and answers about life and death, reflecting the artist's contemplations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Photo by Universal Music]

The phrase that encapsulates the album’s central theme, "Never be sad. Shine while you live," was inspired by the Seikilos epitaph. The Seikilos epitaph is an inscription found on a cylindrical pillar among ancient Greek ruins, and it contains the oldest surviving complete musical composition in the world.

Park Hyesang commissioned contemporary composer Luke Howard to create an arrangement of his existing work incorporating the Seikilos epitaph, resulting in "While You Live," which opens the album. The album also features works by Verdi and Refice, chosen for their ability to convey a wide range of emotions about life and death.

Park Hyesang stated, "Through this project, I hope everyone who listens will gain courage to live, experiencing peace and strength in life." She added, "When I walked the Camino de Santiago, the sunrise I encountered every morning felt like the embrace of the vast universe. The words of Seikilos resonated even more deeply, inspiring me to push forward with the album’s production."

She chose a photograph of herself breathing underwater for the album cover. Regarding the album’s title and cover image, she explained, "After finishing the recording, I dreamed that I disappeared underwater to breathe. In the water, I felt the fullness of the Seikilos epitaph and the experiences from the pilgrimage. Breathing underwater was the most peaceful and authentic state. I wanted to convey the deep sense of peace I felt."

The album includes not only repertoire inspired by various experiences, such as the Seikilos epitaph ("While You Live") and Michelangelo's Pieta ("Vocal Ice"), but also features "Eoi Gari (Requiem aeternam·Eoi Gari)" by Korean composer Woo Hyowon. This piece connects the Korean traditional funeral music Eoi Gari to a requiem, layering Park Hyesang’s vocals over the traditional Korean string instrument ajaeng. Park Hyesang explained, "The single-line accompaniment of the ajaeng delivers a silent resonance, promising to remember the departed souls for a long time."

Park Hyesang’s recital will also feature singer Ko Youngyeol, who introduced Korean traditional music to the world by performing "Sarangga" during the 2023 National Symphony Orchestra European Tour, presenting a special harmony with Park Hyesang. The Ditto Orchestra and conductor Kim Geon will also perform together.

This year, Park Hyesang is scheduled to collaborate with world-renowned orchestras, including the LA Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic, and will also hold a recital at Carnegie Hall.