King Jeongjo's Visit to Hwaseong Reimagined as an Original Opera... 'Star of the King' Showcase on Oct. 24

Inspired by King Jeongjo’s 1795 procession to Hwaseong and the Han River boat bridge
First work in Hwaseong Arts Center’s original production series
37 residents join the performance... 15 new pieces to be featured

The showcase of the original opera Star of the King, inspired by King Jeongjo’s royal procession to Hwaseong and the construction of a boat bridge over the Han River, will take place at 3 p.m. on October 24 at Dongtan Art Hall, Hwaseong Arts Center.

It is the first production in “HAC Creation,” a series focused on developing and producing original works, presented by the Hwaseong City Culture and Tourism Foundation in the first year of the Hwaseong Arts Center (HAC). The foundation said all seats for the Star of the King showcase have sold out.

Star of the King is an original opera based on the historical events of King Jeongjo’s 1795 visit to Hwaseong and the construction of a boat bridge over the Han River. It portrays how people came together to forge a new path, drawing on Jeongjo’s devotion to his mother and commitment to reform, the science and technology of the time, and the efforts of the people who helped build the bridge.

Hwaseong residents are also taking part in the production. Thirty-seven residents—24 children and 13 adults selected through auditions in May—will take the stage alongside professional vocalists after about five months of rehearsal.

A total of 15 new pieces have been composed, including “Chorus of the Stars,” which opens the work with a children’s choir. The music brings to life King Jeongjo’s dreams, the people’s aspirations, and their efforts to join forces and forge a new path.

Star of the King is directed by Ahn Jueun, with music composed by Na Silin. Ahn has directed more than 300 performances in Korea and abroad, including the operas Nabucco, Madama Butterfly, Carmen and Turandot. Last year, Ahn directed La Traviata at the Sicilia Classica Festival in Italy and served as general director of Aida at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina. Composer Na, who won first place in the composition category of the JoongAng Music Concours, has created operas and music dramas, including Dream of a Butterfly, Cheoyong and Chunhyang Talok, on commission from organizations such as the National Opera of Korea, Seoul Metropolitan Opera and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Na will also conduct the performance.

The libretto was co-written by director Ahn and composer Na. Yeom Jeongwoo, a principal dancer with Ballet Poema, will also appear on stage, alongside the Met Opera Choir, made up of professional vocalists, and the Sorial Philharmonic Orchestra.

The foundation plans to refine the work on an ongoing basis, drawing on the results of the showcase and audience feedback, and develop it into a signature performing arts production for Hwaseong. It also aims to stage the work at theaters and festivals in Korea and abroad.

The foundation said it plans to continually refine the work based on the showcase results and audience feedback, develop it into a signature performing arts production showcasing Hwaseong’s historical resources, and stage it at theaters and festivals in Korea and abroad in the future.

The Hwaseong City Culture and Tourism Foundation said, “This original opera is meaningful because it was conceived locally and created together by residents and artists,” adding that it plans to develop Star of the King into a signature performing arts production for Hwaseong.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.