Glamorous Opera and Moist Aria

100-Year-Old Stage vs. Modernized Interpretation-

"Tosca,” presented by the Roman Theater, shows the directing techniques of the times when it was staged for the first time in 1900 by musician Puccini. The set of the Roman Theater that reproduce the stage with the handwritten signature of Puccini, the clothing, items, and lights will be moved in as a bunch. It will bring the audience pleasure to see the original when the modernized interpretation is a boom as it is these days.

Director Lee So-yeong, who developed a good reputation last year through “Un Ballo in Maschera” and “Faust,” presents a Verdi opera “Don Carlos” with her unique simple and symbolic stages. She plans to direct in a modern way by reviving the awesome Inquisition through the red blood on the white wall and the scene where 200 crosses rise up all at once.

“La Traviata,” presented by the National Opera Company of Korea and directed by Wolgram Mehring, focuses more on the cruel tragedy created by social prejudice than on the love between a man and a woman. The huge windows set in an achromatic colored space and the clothes made with luxurious materials and rags will create a minimal stage. “I intend to present the world of dreams that do not exist in reality through the stage art with dreamy airs, and I believe that the true reality will be brought to relief in this way,” says Mehring.

Opera Vocalist from Abroad vs. Stars from Home-

“Tosca” gains attention in that it is performed by the legendary figures, tenor Renato Brunson, soprano Daniela Dessi, and tenor Fabio Armiliato; and "La Triviata” in that it is performed by soprano Stefania Bonfadelli, who is reputed as the first world-class Violeta since Angela Gheorghiu, all performing for the first time in Korea. In “Don Carlos,” tenor Kim Jae-hyeong and baritones Seo Jeong-hak and Kang Hyeong-gyu perform. Initially tenor Richard Margison, who is performing in the U.S. Metropolitan Opera, was expected to act the part of Don Carlo along with Kim Jae-hyeong, but he dropped due to such matters as the North Korean nuclear testing.

Information-

Seoul Arts Center: Don Carlos

7:30 p.m., November 7,8,10, and 11

The Opera Theater of Seoul Arts Center. 20,000∼120,000 won. 02-580-1300

Roman Theater: Tosca

7:30 p.m., November 9-13

The Grand Theater of Sejong Center for Performing Arts. 50,000-330,000 won. 02-587-1950

National Opera Company of Korea: La Traviata

4:00 p.m., November 19, 7:30 p.m., November 20-23

The Opera Theater of Seoul Arts Center. 10,000-150,000 won. 1588-7890