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Chung Myung-whun on ‘my Italian story’ that leads to La Scala music director post
In a nutshell, what led to the appointment of Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun as the next music director of Teatro alla Scala — the first Asian and only the second non-Italian in its 247-year history — was love. Love for Verdi, for pasta, for Italy, and for La Scala itself. “It feels like getting married after loving each other for 36 years,” Chung, 72, told reporters at a press conference held Monday at Busan Concert Hall. Since 1989, he has conducted 84 opera performances and 141 concerts at
May 19, 2025 -
Chin Unsuk's second opera premiers in Hamburg
"Die dunkle Seite des Mondes,” the second opera by South Korean composer Unsuk Chin, premiered Sunday at the Hamburg State Opera in Germany under the baton of Kent Nagano. For her second opera, multiple award-winning composer Chin drew inspiration from the life and work of physicist Wolfgang Pauli — pioneer of quantum physics, Nobel Prize laureate and, for a time, a professor in Hamburg — and from his relationship with the psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. "Die dunkle Seite des Mondes,” or "The Dar
May 19, 2025 -
Ye's Seoul concert canceled after Hitler praise controversy
Coupang Play has canceled Ye's upcoming concert in Seoul, citing ongoing controversies surrounding the rapper, including his recent open praise of Adolf Hitler. On Monday, the streaming platform announced the cancellation of Ye’s concert, which was to be held May 31, and said sales of official merchandise would be suspended starting Monday at 1 p.m. The decision follows a series of inappropriate remarks and actions by the artist. In a 2022 interview, Ye sparked global outrage by saying that he s
May 19, 2025 -
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival unveils 2nd lineup including Little Simz
The 2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival has announced its second list of artists, featuring a diverse mix of musicians from both Korea and abroad. Performing in Korea for the first time at this year’s Pentaport is British hip-hop artist and actress Little Simz. She rose to global acclaim after winning the Brit Award for Best New Artist and the Mercury Prize in 2022. Her 2021 studio album "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" received widespread praise for its grand orchestration and deep personal st
May 19, 2025 -
'Maybe Happy Ending’ clinches Drama League and Critics' Circle awards
In a landmark season for Korean theater on the international stage, “Maybe Happy Ending” added two more accolades on Friday to its growing list of honors at the 91st Annual Drama League Awards. The Broadway adaptation of the beloved South Korean musical won outstanding production of a musical, and director Michael Arden was awarded outstanding direction of a musical. The wins mark another significant milestone in the show's journey from intimate Seoul theaters to Broadway’s spotlight. Earlier th
May 18, 2025 -
'The Rising World,' Seoul's new opera blends myth, invention and global vision
In its first venture into producing an original opera, the Seoul Arts Center has partnered with an international creative team — and chosen English as the language of performance. “The Rising World: The Spirit of Water,” set to premiere in May, draws inspiration from Korea’s historical water clock and the country’s rich folklore surrounding water spirits. According to the creative team, the opera is not an adaptation of an existing tale, but a newly imagined story that weaves Korean cultural mot
May 18, 2025