What Would 'Orpheus' Look Like Interpreted Through Korean Dance?

Gangwon Provincial Dance Company Regular Performance at Gangneung Art Center on the 19th
Increased Anticipation with Live Accompaniment by Provincial Gugak Orchestra

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 14th that the Gangwon Provincial Dance Company will hold its 10th regular performance on the 19th (Tuesday) at the Gangneung Art Center.

This performance is a meaningful occasion commemorating the inauguration of Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Kim Jin-mi (hereinafter ‘Director’) and the 25th anniversary of the founding of the provincial art troupe. It will also be a special stage where the real-time accompaniment of the Provincial Gugak Orchestra and the dance movements of the Provincial Dance Company harmonize.

Poster for the 10th regular performance ＜Orpheus＞ by the Gangwon Provincial Dance Company, held on Tuesday, the 19th, at Gangneung Art Center. Image provided by Gangwon Provincial Government.

The performance begins with a congratulatory performance of Taepyeongmu by Park Jae-hee, a Korean dancer who is the teacher of Director Kim Jin-mi and a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Taepyeongmu from Gangneung, and the Taepyeongmu Transmission Association. Following this, a dance interpreting the story of from Greek and Roman mythology with Korean sensibility will be presented. Orpheus is a figure who descends to the underworld to save his deceased wife Eurydice. In this performance, the story of his journey to bring his wife back to the living world through the dance of love is expressed through the troupe’s precise footwork.

This performance is a work inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, embodying modern beauty by combining Korean aesthetics with contemporary expression on stage.

Director Kim Jin-mi stated, “Starting with this performance commemorating the 25th anniversary of the founding of the provincial art troupe, we will steadily create a repertoire that captures the breath of Gangwon, ‘not rushing but not being lazy.’”

This performance is suitable for school-age children and older, with ticket prices ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won. Reservations can be made through the Gangneung Art Center.