Mapo-gu, 1000-Won Cultural Empathy 'Dancing with the Opera' Audience-Free Performance

Leel Opera Company, Ole Flamenco Korea... Performances of 'Carmen' and 'Romeo and Juliet'... Broadcast on SBS 'Munhwaga Junggye' on July 4, Recorded streaming on Mapo TV YouTube, etc. on July 7

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Mapo Cultural Foundation (CEO Song Jeyong), which offers high-quality performances at a groundbreaking admission fee of 1,000 won?cheaper than the basic subway fare (1,250 won)?has brought back its ‘MAC 1000-Won Cultural Sympathy’ program.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Donggyun) announced on the 24th that it will hold the MAC 1000-Won Cultural Sympathy event, ‘Dancing with the Opera with Jang Ilbeom,’ at the Mapo Art Center Art Hall MAC.

Due to the recent extension of the suspension of operations at public facilities in the metropolitan area to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19, the event will be held as a recorded broadcast without an audience.

Before the decision to hold the performance without an audience, the event was planned to proceed with socially distanced seating (from 733 seats to 350 seats), and all tickets sold out within three days of general release, proving its popularity.

The ‘Dancing with the Opera with Jang Ilbeom’ scheduled for the 24th is a collaborative performance featuring musicians from Leel Opera Company (Director Kim Kyunga) and dancers from Ole Flamenco Korea. They will perform famous opera arias such as ‘Carmen,’ ‘The Merry Widow,’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ as well as widely known masterpieces like ‘Libertango.’ Music critic Jang Ilbeom, known for his witty commentary, will join to add fun to the emotional impact of the music.

Founded in 2014, Leel Opera Company is centered around soprano Kim Kyunga and includes vocalists, musicians, and professional dancers of Korean and Russian nationality. The company plans and proposes audience-tailored opera performances and leads the popularization of classical music by offering friendly and entertaining shows that anyone, including culturally marginalized groups and the general public, can enjoy.

This performance will feature talented vocalists such as tenor Kang Shinmo, baritone Kim Inhwi, sopranos Lee Myunghui and Kim Seoyoung, and musical singer Ha Subin from Leel Opera Company, who will present beautiful opera arias and songs.

The dances by Ole Flamenco Korea, which sometimes take center stage and sometimes serve as the musical backdrop, will enhance the beauty of the opera and are expected to deeply move the audience.

The live performance will be broadcast on SBS’s ‘Cultural Relay’ at 5 a.m. on July 4th and will also be available on the Mapo TV YouTube channel and the Mapo Cultural Foundation’s Facebook page on July 7th.

Mapo-gu’s ‘MAC 1000-Won Cultural Sympathy’ program is a social contribution initiative by the Mapo Cultural Foundation, held every two months since December 2015 to expand cultural opportunities for local residents. It offers high-quality performances in various genres such as classical music, dance, and jazz for an admission fee of 1,000 won, consistently selling out every time.

This year’s second half ‘MAC 1000-Won Cultural Sympathy’ programs include ‘Sinsennolum’ in August featuring pansori singer Kim Junsu and the band Dubeonjeddal, and the ‘Tchaikovsky Ballet Special Gala’ in December featuring the Wise Ballet Company.

Yoo Donggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The 1,000-won Cultural Sympathy event, which many residents have loved, is returning to meet the community again. I hope many people will feel both emotion and enjoyment through this performance while staying at home.”

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