Hwaseong Arts Center, which opened this year, will present a series of masterpieces by world-renowned choreographers in its inaugural year.
According to the first-half lineup released by Hwaseong Arts Center on the 9th, "Swan Lake" by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, led by Jean-Christophe Maillot, is included. Maillot, regarded as one of the greatest contemporary ballet choreographers of the 21st century, has presented innovative works that creatively reinterpret classics. Maillot transforms Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" into a dense psychological drama exploring childhood trauma, family conflicts, and the contrast between good and evil within the human psyche. The Maillot version of "Swan Lake," rarely seen in Korea, will be performed four times across three cities—Seoul, Daejeon, and Hwaseong—in May, with the Hwaseong performance scheduled for the 13th.
On June 19-20, Alexander Ekman's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will have its Korean premiere. Ekman, a Swedish choreographer hailed as a genius, has created sensational stages with unconventional compositions, props, and stage designs that break from classical ballet conventions. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a contemporary ballet depicting a midsummer night's festival where reality and fantasy intersect against the backdrop of the Nordic midnight sun. The work is a signature piece concentrated with humor, energy, and experimentation. Since its 2015 premiere by the Royal Swedish Ballet, it has garnered worldwide attention. This performance, co-produced by LG Arts Center and Hwaseong Arts Center, will tour to Hwaseong following Seoul performances (June 12-14), making it the only regional stop.
Next month, Universal Ballet will stage "Don Quixote." Based on Cervantes' original work, this classic ballet masterpiece portrays the adventures of knight Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, along with the love story of Kitri and Basil, through lively dance and music. Principal dancers Hong Hyang-gi and Lim Sun-woo, as well as Elizaveta Cheprasova and Lee Hyun-jun, will showcase vibrant performances and brilliant technique.
Performances targeting family audiences also draw attention. On April 26, "Disney in Concert: Beyond the Magic," combining Disney animation footage with live orchestra performance, is scheduled. The event features a large screen synchronized with live music, creating a stage the whole family can enjoy. On May 9-10, family musical "Alphablocks," based on the BBC animation, welcomes young audiences. The production is designed to help children learn the alphabet in an easy and fun way.
Works by Korea's leading performing arts groups will also visit Hwaseong. On May 23, the National Chorus of Korea's "Cinema Classic" will reinterpret film music through chorus and orchestra. On June 26, the National Gugak Center's "Yeonhui-Pan: A World Connected by Heung" will close the first-half season. Audiences can experience the beauty and excitement of Korean tradition through performances including "Mungut," "Lion Dance," and "Drum Play."
A Hwaseong Arts Center official said, "We organized the first-half lineup with outstanding domestic and international works to continue the momentum of our successful sold-out opening performances in January," adding, "We will establish ourselves as a venue where citizens can experience world-class performances close to their daily lives."