Busan Cultural Center at 7:30 PM on the 22nd, 2024 Opera Specialist Recruitment Ensemble Formation
Performance Conducted by Kim Bongmi for 'Madama Butterfly' and 'L'elisir d'amore', Chorus Conducted by Kim Kangkyu, Commentary by Lee Euijoo
Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) will hold the "Preview of the 2024 Busan Opera Season - Opera Gala Concert" at the Grand Theater of the Busan Cultural Center at 7:30 PM on the 22nd.
This performance is part of the "2024 Opera Professional Training Project." Since last year, the city has been recruiting and auditioning essential professionals (opera chorus, orchestra, ballet company, etc.) to operate the opera house as a production-centered theater and to establish an opera production system at the venue. The ensemble is composed of members selected through this open recruitment and audition process.
The gala will focus on highlights from the operas "Madama Butterfly" and "L'elisir d'amore," which will be produced as part of the "2024 Busan Opera Season." Conductor Kim Bongmi, chorus master Kim Kangkyu, and director/narrator Lee Euijoo will participate, along with the 2024 season Busan Opera House Chorus and Orchestra.
This performance, held ahead of the full-scale productions in August, will feature many guest performers. For "Madama Butterfly," the main cast was selected through auditions at the Busan Cultural Center in April, while "L'elisir d'amore" will feature some already-cast leads and previous guest performers selected last year.
The Busan Cultural Center selected some of the main cast for the full opera "Madama Butterfly" through auditions. Soprano Lim Kyunga will play Cio-Cio-san, tenor Yang Seungyeob will play Pinkerton, baritone Na Hyungkyu will play Sharpless, and mezzo-soprano Shin Sunghui will play Suzuki.
For the 2024 Busan Opera Season concert opera "L'elisir d'amore," baritone Kim Jongpyo will play Belcore, bass Kim Daeyoung will play Dulcamara, and soprano Kwon Sora and tenor Kim Dongnyeok, who were selected through last year's guest performer auditions, will play Adina and Nemorino, respectively.
In particular, this performance is structured to highlight the opera chorus, and will feature major arias as well. With commentary by director Lee Euijoo, the audience can enjoy beautiful visuals and stage direction.
Audiences will be able to enjoy Puccini's "Un bel di vedremo" (Cio-Cio-san's aria from "Madama Butterfly"), the chorus's "Humming Chorus," and Donizetti's "Una furtiva lagrima" from "L'elisir d'amore," among others.
Director Lee Euijoo's commentary will help the audience better understand the works, making the concert accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Stage and video design is by designer Gil Goeun, offering a fresh take on both productions.
The concert is open to ages seven and up (school-age children), with all seats free of charge and admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please visit the Busan Cultural Center performance guide website or call for inquiries.
The Busan Opera House Chorus and Orchestra will also participate in the upcoming full opera "Madama Butterfly" (conducted by Lee Byungwook, directed by Kim Sookyung) produced by the Busan Cultural Center (CEO Cha Jaekeun), and the concert opera "L'elisir d'amore" (conducted by Kim Kwanghyun, directed by Um Sukjung) produced by the Geumjeong Cultural Center (Director Kim Cheonil), as part of the "2024 Busan Opera Season," meeting citizens through these performances.
Shim Jaemin, Director of the Culture and Sports Bureau of the city, stated, "The chorus and orchestra selected through the opera professional training project are becoming more organized and making steady progress. The city aims to share new cultural performances in Busan with its citizens. We ask for your continued interest and support."
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