The 13th Daegu International Opera Festival kicks off on Oct. 8. Pictured is a scene from the festival opener, Verdi’s ‘Aida.’
A special festival will fill the city of Daegu with the sounds of opera, bringing a deeper autumn vibe to opera lovers across Korea’s fourth-largest city.
The 13th Daegu International Opera Festival will start on Oct. 8 and run until Nov. 7. The festival’s theme this year is “Amore Mortale” in Italian, which translates as “Fatal Love” in English.
The operas to be put on stage at the Daegu Opera House in northern Daegu during the festival will narrate dangerous and tragic love stories.
The first will be Verdi’s “Aida” on Oct. 8, 9 and 10. The masterpiece tells the story of how the irresistible love between Radames, the captain of the Egyptian Royal Guard, and the Ethiopian Princess Aida ended tragically.
German maestro Christian Ehwald will show off his virtuosity in the upcoming concerts. Joining him and his orchestra is Italian soprano Monica Zanettin as Aida.
The next opera will be Wagner’s “Lohengrin” presented by the Hessian State Theatre from Wiesbaden, Germany, on Oct. 15 and 17. The opera, comprised of three acts, will have the audience stuck in their seats for as long as four hours. In the story, Elsa is falsely accused of murder and knight Lohengrin appears out of nowhere, marrying her as a way to help prove her innocence. Before marrying, the knight asks but one thing in return for his service: she is never to ask him who he is. However, out of her unbearable curiosity, Elsa finally asks him his name. In the end, he reveals himself as Lohengrin. Afterward, things start getting worse for Elsa.
The highlight of the show is the bridal chorus, known as “Here Comes the Bride” and played during the wedding of Elsa and Lohengrin, a scene that is the most popular part of the opera.
The singers will perform in the original German alongside an orchestra from the Hessian State Theatre of Wiesbaden, a first in Korea. The star-studded cast includes world-renowned tenor Marco Jentzsch.
Another Verdi masterpiece will be performed on Oct. 21 and 23. “Rigoletto” will come to life under the baton of Marco Balderi from the Italy-based Carlo Felice Theater. The three-act opera tells the story of court jester Rigoletto as he attempts to kill the licentious duke, but ends up killing his own daughter Gilda by mistake.
Finally, the festival will shed new light on one of Georges Bizet’s operas, “The Pearl Fishers.” Released in 1863, the opera is set to be performed on Oct. 30. The story is set in Sri Lanka and narrates how two men’s friendship is threatened by their love for the same woman, a dilemma presented with music that well represents the complicated drama and their emotions.
More information about the festival can be found by clicking the link below. http://english.daeguoperahouse.org/main/main.asp
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the organizing committee for the Daegu International Opera Festival
jiae5853@korea.kr
Daeg Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’ is the second love story being presented at the Daegu International Opera Festival this year. The work will be performed on Oct. 15 and 17 at the Daegu Opera House.
The 13th Daegu International Opera Festival opens on Oct. 8.
