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How come the atmosphere of opera never changes in Korea? Only the performers change, but the stage designs would duplicate those of previous ones. The National Opera of Korea will present the Verdi classic "Aida" at the Seoul Arts Center from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11. Could there be a change in this expressionless countenance of opera? "It will be a more novel and modern 'Aida'," said National Opera's artistic director Jung Eun-suk, adding, "People mostly think of 'Aida' with a large stage with grand opera performance. Rather than such magnificence, this performance will focus more on the drama between the figures. The stage sets will make use of simple, compressed, and symbolic ornaments."
Dieter Kaegi, who flew in to produce this opera, remarked, "Please pay attention to drama rather than spectacle." Dieter Kaegi is a competent producer who took charge of the Dublin Opera Theater, and played a major role in the Provence Festival. Rather than the splendid composition and scenes, he planned to bring into relief the love affairs between Aida, an Ethiopian princess seized as an Egyptian slave, and Radames, an Egyptian general, the jealousy of the Egyptian princess Amneris towards their love, and Aida's anxieties about what to choose between her mother country and love. With Dieter Kaegi, Bruno Schwengl, who took an active part in the Monte Carlo Opera Theater, will support this delicate and minute production with his stage displays and costumes.
For the role of Aida, Hasmik Papian, Adina Aaron, and Lee Hwa-young have been case; for Amneris, Tea Demurischbili, and Lee Ah-kyung; and for Radames, Gegam Grigorian, Kim Nam-doo, and Ha Suk-bae have been cast. Riccardo Frizza will lead the Korean Symphony Orchestra, and the National Opera Chorus of Korea and Euijeongbu City Choir is scheduled to participate as well.
As the music cannot be altered in opera, small changes might be made in the stage design and production rules determining the time and space of the performance. "The National Opera Chorus will attract the fans of opera in earnest through these sorts of changes of dramaturgy," said director Jung Eun-sook.
For more information, call 1588-7890
(Kim Yong-woon, proarte@chosun.com )
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