The Centro Cultural Coreano, in collaboration with the National Opera Company of Korea, presents an outstanding artistic tour as part of Korea Season, an ambitious project, driven by KOFICE and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, and which seeks to make known the cultural and artistic wealth of Korea in strategic countries around the world.
This year’s edition takes on a special significance, since it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain, a unique occasion that invites us to celebrate with the splendor that deserves this historic link between both nations.
This tour will include a Gala Concert along with the performance of contemporary Korean opera Soul Mate, two events that reflect the richness of the Korean operatic tradition and promote a significant cultural exchange between both countries.
The Gala Concert will be held on 14 May in the Hall of Mirrors of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona at 7 pm. The program includes a careful selection of classical opera arias, familiar to the Spanish audience, along with traditional Korean songs that convey the unique sensibility of Korea.
Among the most anticipated performances is soprano Oh Ye-eun, recognized for her role as Giulietta in Hoffmann’s Tales, who will play My Beloved Mount Geumgang. Also, the mezzo-soprano Kim Sae-lin, ovated by her Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, will offer Azalea flower.
The cast is completed by soprano Kim Hyo-ju, tenors Kang Do-ho and Yoo Shin-hee, baritones Kim Won and Jung Je-hak, and bass player Yoon Hee-saup.
For its part, the opera Soul Mate addresses the awareness of overcoming class barriers and claims femininity as an independent way of life, moving away from the traditional approach of the original work focused on rewarding good and punishing evil. In addition, by presenting the theme of love and marriage through a traditional Korean wedding, the work acquires a universal character that can be understood by audiences of any nationality. This demonstrates the sustainability and international projection of contemporary Korean creative opera. The performance of the play will take place on 18 May, at 7.30 pm in the Teatro Monumental de Madrid.
One of the highlights of this production is the collaboration with the Millennium Choir and Orchestra of Spain, who have adapted part of the musical accompaniment, integrating western instruments instead of some traditional Korean ones. The preparation of the artists includes the advice of a Korean director resident in Spain, responsible for pronunciation and diction in Korean. Both events with free admission until capacity is full.
Jaekwang Shin, director of the Centro Cultural Coreano in Spain, has stressed that “this artistic tour is an exceptional opportunity to introduce the unique sensitivity of Korean opera. Beyond cultural representation, we seek to build a bridge of mutual understanding between Spain and Korea, thus strengthening the ties that unite us.”
