Chung Myung-whun, music director of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, will present a concert version of "Carmen" in Seoul. The production generated significant buzz when it premiered in Busan as a "semi-opera" format, combining onstage orchestral accompaniment with singers' performances, costumes, and acting.
The KBS Symphony Orchestra will present the concert version of Georges Bizet's masterpiece opera "Carmen" at its 825th regular concert at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul at 7:30 p.m. on January 17-18. Premiered in 1875, "Carmen" depicts the tragic love story between Carmen, a free-spirited gypsy woman, and Don José, a soldier captivated by her, set against the passionate backdrop of Spain. The opera is widely beloved by general audiences for its famous arias including "Habanera" and "Toreador Song."
A stellar lineup of internationally acclaimed vocalists will perform. Russian world-renowned mezzo-soprano Alysa Kolosova takes the title role of Carmen. Born in Moscow in 1987, Kolosova has performed on major stages worldwide. She previously visited Korea in 2017 to perform the lead role in Mussorgsky's opera "Boris Godunov" at the Seoul Arts Center Opera House.
Mexican-American tenor Galeano Salas will perform as Don José, while bass-baritone Kim Byung-gil, an active soloist in Germany, takes the role of the toreador Escamillo. Soprano Kim Soon-young, a popular performer with wide public appeal, will portray Micaëla.
Last year, Maestro Chung drew large audiences with a concert version performed with the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra at the Busan Concert Hall. Unlike typical concert operas where singers stand stationary at the front of the stage, Chung's "Carmen" features performers in full costume, utilizing the entire stage space while combining acting with singing. Eom Suk-jung, who directed the Busan production, will also direct the Seoul performances. This marks Maestro Chung's first concert version opera with the KBS Symphony Orchestra in 29 years.
A KBS Symphony Orchestra official said, "We expect the depth of interpretation that Maestro Chung Myung-whun brings to 'Carmen' will shine in this performance, given his authority as an opera conductor who has been appointed music director of La Scala." The official added, "Because it's presented as a concert version, audiences can focus more on the music itself."