Global Diva Angela Gheorghiu to Take the Korean Stage with 'Tosca'

by Park Pyunghee

Published 30 Jul.2024 14:20(KST)

Updated 30 Jul.2024 14:58(KST)

Performance at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from September 5 to 8

World-renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu will take the stage at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater this September.

The Sejong Center announced on the 30th that to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Puccini's death, the Seoul Opera Company will perform Puccini's Tosca at the Sejong Center Grand Theater from September 5 to 8, with Gheorghiu starring in the lead role of Tosca.

Tosca is one of Puccini's representative works, which premiered on January 14, 1900, at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome and has since been loved and performed worldwide.

Angela Georgiu [Photo provided by Sejong Center, (c)Ionut Macri]

Gheorghiu is a soprano who has defined an era alongside Anna Netrebko and Diana Damrau. Ahead of this performance, she shared, "The role of Tosca is one of the most beautiful roles in the world. Especially this year, marking the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's death, it holds even more special meaning. I am very happy to meet my beloved Korean audience again through the full performance of Tosca. I send my love to all Korean opera fans."

Gheorghiu and Se-kyung Lim, who has performed leading roles at the Arena di Verona, will appear as Tosca. Renowned Korean vocalists including tenors Jae-hyung Kim and Young-woo Kim, bass-baritone Samuel Yoon, and baritone Jun-mo Yang will also grace the stage.

The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ji Jung-bae, will collaborate with the Wiener Opera Choir and the Brillante Children’s Choir.

Byun Hyeon-jin, who directed last year’s opera The Barber of Seville at Nodeulseom on the Han River, will direct this production.

Sejong Center President Ho-sang Ahn said, "Angela Gheorghiu, whom many domestic opera fans have long awaited, will finally meet the audience at the Sejong Center Grand Theater. Since she is coming to Korea with her most representative repertoire, Tosca, we expect to present the essence of opera music."