Beethoven's Instrumental Pieces Turned into Musical Numbers... Audience 'Likes and Dislikes' Remain a Challenge

Musical 'Beethoven' New Work World Premiere Opens

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Beethoven's music has been reborn as a musical. The musical 'Beethoven,' presented by EMK Musical Company as a world premiere, was staged on the 12th at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Composer Sylvester Levay and playwright Michael Kunze, who created works such as 'Elisabeth,' 'Mozart!,' and 'Rebecca,' participated to complete Beethoven's instrumental pieces into a single musical.

The performance begins with an unsent letter discovered among Beethoven's actual belongings. It focuses on the years 1810 to 1812, when it is presumed that Beethoven met the still unidentified 'Immortal Beloved' mentioned in the letter.

[Photo by EMK]

The show expresses the love between Beethoven and the Immortal Beloved by adding lyrics to Beethoven's actual instrumental pieces such as 'Fate,' 'Moonlight,' and 'Pathetique.' Danbi Lee, the script supervisor, explained at the press call held on the 19th at the Opera Theater, "It deals with the power and limits of love that affected Beethoven as he was losing his hearing."

The actors, who take on the new challenge of singing instrumental music, each portray Beethoven in their own way. Kai, who majored in classical vocal music and plays Beethoven, said, "My rule is that the world is seen best when doing nothing," adding, "I am singing with the feeling of quietly sitting and observing."

[Photo by EMK]

On the other hand, Park Eun-tae, who also plays Beethoven, said, "Since the power of music is really strong, I tried not to be overwhelmed by that weight," and added, "I focused on conveying the character and drama and tried to approach Beethoven as a character in the play as much as possible."

Although the actual 'Immortal Beloved' of Beethoven is estimated to be three women, the play defines her as Antonie Brentano, the daughter of a wealthy merchant who had an unfortunate marriage through a political arrangement in her childhood. Beethoven, who was angry about having to create music for aristocrats filled with hypocrisy and felt constrained by it, overcomes his hearing loss and creates masterpieces through his encounter with her.

[Photo by EMK]

Ok Joo-hyun, who plays Antonie, the Immortal Beloved in the play, said, "I think there is something special about the character Antonie in that she inspired the great artist Beethoven and that his work remained a masterpiece of humanity," adding, "I want to show the process of Antonie accepting Beethoven as he is with a heart like maternal love that goes beyond romantic love and opening Beethoven's heart."

There are also difficulties in the creative premiere process. Criticism has arisen regarding awkward arrangements and direction, as well as some obscure story developments. Regarding this, Yoon Gong-ju, who plays Antonie, said, "Since it is a creative premiere, the process of making it is not easy. Audience reactions are mixed, but that also means we have the task of gradually turning the reactions into positive ones. It is tough but fun. I think each performance will gradually resolve the curiosity."

The performance will run until March 26 at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center.

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