Korean or French - how about both?


The constant debate on whether an opera should be performed in its original language or in Korean has been going on ever since the genre was introduced to the country around 60 years ago.

Some industry insiders prefer operas to be carried out in their original language saying that diction - the sound of the words - accounts for a large part of the whole work, while others say that having to read subtitles is tiresome and thus prefer to see operas in Korean.

The producers of "Werther," which is slated for October and November, tries to satisfy the two conflicting views by staging the piece in both French and Korean on alternate days.

While the French version will keep it original, the Korean version will have its benefits, organizers said.

"Audiences will be able to focus more on the work while the overall drama will be maximized through performances in Korean," said Kim Do-cki, the artistic director and conductor for the work, and a professor at Seoul National University's School of Music, at a recent press conference in Seoul.

When singers perform operas in a foreign language, other actors on stage usually just stand there since they do not understand what is going on, Kim said. Carrying out the piece in Korean can help solve this problem, he added.

Unlike other operas where the flow of the music is more important than the drama, Kim stressed that the latter had a bigger role in "Werther." It focuses on the tragic love story, rather than a large-scale chorus or an elaborate set.

"Naturally, the direction will focus on singers analyzing and portraying the delicate mentality of the central role of Werther," said director Kim Kwang-bo.

It is director Kim's first participation in an opera. Kim is a star drama and musical director in Daehangno whose major works include "Equus" and musical "Romeo and Juliet." He also directed the premiere run of musical "The Sorrows of Young Werther" in 2001.

The French opera is based on the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel, "The Sorrows of Young Werther," and set to Jules Massenet's music.

The opera is co-produced by three state-run theaters - Hanam Art Center, Uijeongbu Arts Center and Nowon Culture & Art Center.

Because public theaters usually lack the infrastructure to produce their own shows, the three theaters decided to unite, aiming to reinforce their networks while sharing their experiences and know-how in creating original pieces, organizers explained.

It is the first time the production is being staged in Korea, where few operas other than a big names like "Carmen" and "The Magic Flute" have been introduced.

Showing "Werther" is the result of rigorous efforts by the theaters to bring in new performances for opera fans, as well as to approach beginning opera viewers with a familiar story, organizers said. Most Koreans are acquainted with the novel and its musical adaptation.

Tenors Park Hyun-jae and Ryu Jung-pil double in the role of Werther, while mezzo sopranos Yang Song-mi and Seo Yun-jin will play Wether's counterpart, Charlotte.

"Werther" will be staged from Oct. 22-24 at Uijeongbu Arts Center; on Oct. 30 and 31 at Hanam Art Center; on Nov. 21 and 22 at Nowon Culture & Art Center.

Tickets run from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For details, call (02) 951-3355.

(youngaah@heraldm.com)

By Koh Young-aah


[Koreaherald]2009.08.11/   By Koh Young-aah