Artistic Director Chung Myung-Whun to Conduct Beethoven's "Fidelio" in His First Opera Performance in Busan

Two Performances Scheduled for June 27 and 28

Chung Myung-Whun, the artistic director of Italy's La Scala Opera House, will present his first opera in Busan since taking office.

Classic Busan, the classical music division of Busan City, announced on June 16 that Beethoven's opera "Fidelio" (concert version) will be staged at Busan Concert Hall on June 27 and 28. This performance will serve as the closing event of the "Busan Concert Hall Opening Festival."

"Fidelio" is Beethoven's only opera and tells the story of overcoming imprisonment and oppression to restore justice. The scene where Leonore, disguised as a man, infiltrates the prison to rescue her unjustly imprisoned husband, and the final chorus celebrating freedom, are considered highlights that encapsulate Beethoven's ideals and humanism. This performance is subtitled "Freedom Sung with Love."

Director Chung will personally take up the baton for this production. He described "Fidelio" as "a rare work where music can speak to the essence of humanity," and expressed his hope that this performance will not only serve as the festival's closing event, but also become "a declarative stage where all darkness is lifted and tomorrow is opened with the light of hope."

World-class vocalists will join the stage. Tenor Eric Cutler, sopranos Hrachuh? Bass?nz and Park Soyoung, and baritone Lee Donghwan?singers who have performed at major venues such as the Metropolitan Opera and the Vienna State Opera?will all appear in this production.

In addition, the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra (APO), newly formed for this event and comprising top orchestra members from across Asia, will perform. Musicians from the Tokyo Philharmonic, China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, and leading Korean symphony orchestras will join forces, while the Busan City Choir and the National Choir of Korea will provide the chorus. Direction will be handled by director Um Sukjeong.

Park Minjeong, CEO of Classic Busan, stated, "Choosing 'Fidelio' as the final performance for the opening was not just to celebrate, but to share the essential value of art and its social message with the citizens," adding, "It will be a rare opportunity to experience the artistic world of Artistic Director Chung Myung-Whun firsthand."

The performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on June 27 and at 5:00 p.m. on June 28. Tickets can be reserved through the official Busan Concert Hall website, Interpark, Yes24, and Ticketlink.