Korea National Opera to Present Opera Gala at MMCA Seoul

On May 7 at Seoul Box of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

The Korea National Opera will present an opera gala performance titled "Museum Opera Gala: When Museum Meets Opera" at the Seoul Box of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) on May 7.

This event is the first joint project planned and presented by the Korea National Opera and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art since the two institutions signed a business partnership agreement to promote cultural and artistic activities on March 12. Through this partnership, the two organizations will cooperate in promoting each other's performances and exhibitions to create synergy, and will organize a variety of lectures and events for audiences, including supporters and members, to help them enjoy art across different genres.

At the Museum Opera Gala, jointly organized by the two institutions, vocalists will perform arias and ensemble pieces from the Korea National Opera's regular productions for this year in the Seoul Box, an open exhibition space within the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

This performance, held as part of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's "MMCA Members Day," will give priority invitations to supporting members and membership holders of both institutions, but any visitor to the museum on the day of the event will be able to enjoy the performance freely.

The first part of the "Museum Opera Gala" will open with arias from "The Marriage of Figaro," which the Korea National Opera staged in March. Baritone Jeon Byungkwon will perform "Non piu andrai," followed by soprano Kim Heejung and mezzo-soprano Kwon Subin singing "Sull'aria...che soave zeffiretto."

The second part will be hosted by Kim Junghyun, an MBC announcer and classical music enthusiast, who will provide an easy-to-understand introduction to Prokofiev's "The Love for Three Oranges," which the Korea National Opera will premiere in Korea at the end of June, and offer the audience a chance to listen to the lively march from the work.

The third part will feature ensemble pieces that the audience can enjoy together. Highlights include "Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour," the beautiful barcarolle from Offenbach's opera "The Tales of Hoffmann," and "Libiamo ne' lieti calici," the famous drinking song from Verdi's "La Traviata."

Choi Sangho, artistic director and general manager of the Korea National Opera, stated, "By bringing together the distinct art forms of visual art and opera, we hope to create a rich cultural atmosphere and offer art lovers the opportunity to fall in love with opera, and opera fans the chance to fall in love with art. We are preparing a variety of events and programs as part of our partnership with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and we ask for your continued interest and support."