The summer season brings heat, humidity and a variety of different concerts and festivals for families.
Daegu International Musical Festival is the largest musical festival in the world. Organized by the city of Daegu and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and Arts Council Korea, the festival runs from June 20 to July 11 and features everything from some of the world’s most famous operas to up and coming contemporary musicals, from Puccini’s “Turandot” to child-friendly favorite, “Hansel and Gretel.” Other highlights of the festival include “I Got Fired,” the semi-autobiographical tale of a disgruntled temporary employee and would-be composer and his grumpy boss.
Music lovers with classical tastes will have plenty to choose from this summer when the 2011 Ditto Festival rolls into town on June 23. Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall and Hoam Art Hall will echo with nine classical chamber music performances. Highlights include the Ditto Ensemble and Parker’s Quartet on June 25 at Seoul Arts Center at 2 p.m. and pianist Lim Dong-hyek and violinist Shin Hyun-su on July 3 at SAC at 2 p.m. For more information, please visit www.dittofest.com.
The Great Mountains International Music Festival will take place from July 24 to August 13 in Gangwon Province, bringing together luminaries from the world of classical music, such as cellist Chung Myung-wha, violinist Chung Kyung-wha, and Toby Appel on viola. For more information, please visit .
Die-hard opera fans will have plenty to look forward to in June and July, with the Korea Opera Festival bringing together five opera companies from June 23 through July 24 at Seoul Arts Center and Towol Theater. The Gloria Opera Company will take on Vincenzo Bellini’s “I Puritani” on June 23, with the Beseto Opera Company performing Puccini’s beloved “Tosca” from July 2-6. All the performances will have English-language programs available.
To celebrate the 22th anniversary of Korea Opera Group, the Korea Opera Group will perform Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” directed by Maurizo Di Mattia and conducted by Giovanni Battista Rigon.
Rock fans won’t be left out of the summer festivities; the Rainbow Music Camping Festival from July 2-3 on Gangwon Province’s picturesque Nami Island and the 2011 Jisan Rock Festival from July 29 to July 31 at Jisan Forest Resort. Together, the festivals will welcome world-renowned acts, like Jimmy Eat World, Thieves Like Us and Envy.
There’s even more chances to rock on at the 2011 Pentaport Rock Festival from August 5-7 at the Dream Park in Incheon, featuring major stars like Korn and the Ting Things.
By Oh Jun Kyung
Korea.net Staff Writer
