OPERA VOYAGE by Korea National Opera
“Opera Voyage” by the Korea National Opera is coming to New York all the way from South Korea! This is a unique chance for young musicians to experience world-class opera, performed by talented young Korean artists.
◆ Korea National Opera
Founded in 1962 and established as an independent foundation in 2000, the Korea National Opera (KNO) is Korea’s leading opera company. As a national arts organization, KNO presents world-class productions and plays a central role in the development of opera in Korea. The company is committed to making opera accessible through programs such as the Regional Touring Opera, the KNO Vocal Concours, and the KNO Studio, which nurture new talent and provide educational opportunities for both professionals and the public.
◆ Korea National Opera Studio - Young Artist Program
The KNO operates an on-site training program to foster emerging opera professionals. Each year, young graduates in vocal performance, directing, coaching, and stagecraft are selected for intensive training in music, languages, acting, humanities, and stage techniques. Through international partnerships—most notably with the Deutsche Oper Berlin—participants gain invaluable global experience.
- This program is presented by the Korean Cultural Center New York and Korea National Opera and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea and the KOFICE (Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange) as part of the “Touring K-Arts” project.
◆ ARTISTS
Kim Hee-Jung, Soprano
Kim Jae-Yeol, Tenor
Koo Na-Oon, Soprano
Park Seung-Bin, Baritone
Kim Young-Hoon, Baritone
Kim Sung-Hyun, Tenor
◆ PROGRAM
PART 1: Opera Gala “SOUL MATE”
Based on Oh Young-jin’s 1943 work Maeung Jin-Sa-Dae Gueongsa (A Happy Day at Mr. Maeng’s), Match Made in Heaven features a libretto by Lee Sang-woo and music by Lim June-Hee. It premiered as Der Hochzeitstag (The Wedding) at the Frankfurt Opera House in March 2006, before its Korean premiere later that year under the title Match Made in Heaven. Since then, it has been performed in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Spain. This tour presents some of the opera’s most beloved arias and scenes.
Mr. Maeng and Mr. Kim arrange a marriage between their families for mutual benefit. Curious about their future spouses, Mong-Wan and Seo-Hyang each disguise themselves, leading to a series of playful mistaken-identity encounters. In the end, love triumphs over social ambition: Mong-Wan marries Ippuni, and Seohyang sets off with Seo-Dong, embracing a future beyond convention.
PART 2: Korean art Song & Opera Aria
Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen I My Longing, My Delusion
Music by E. W. Korngold – from the opera Die tote Stadt
Je suis joyeux I I Am Happy
Music by G. Donizetti – from the opera Rita
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
Hell’s vengeance boils in my heart
Music by W. A. Mozart – from the opera Die Zauberflöte
Au fond du temple saint I At the back of the holy temple
Music by G. Bizet – from the opera Les pêcheurs de perles
New Arirang (Kim Dong-jin)
Dongshimcho (Kim Sung-Tae)
Baennorae (Jo Doo-Nam)