[On Stage] Director Jang Seomun: "Look Forward to an Easy and Enjoyable 'Nabucco' Where the Story Comes Alive"

Seoul Opera Company's 'Nabucco' Opens on April 9

"When Immersed in Acting, Singing Becomes More Engaging"

"Verdi's Music Alone Paints the Scene"

"I believe that singing and acting are inseparable in opera performances. When a vocalist is immersed in acting, they can also become more absorbed in their singing."

Jang Seomun, director of the Seoul Opera Company's production of 'Nabucco,' which opens at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on April 9, stated that acting is just as important as singing for opera singers. Director Jang emphasized that he aims to present a version of Nabucco in which the story is better revealed through acting, allowing the audience to understand it easily and enjoyably.

'Nabucco' is the work that marked the rise of Giuseppe Verdi, a composer representing Italy, the homeland of opera. The opera is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian Captivity in the Bible, where the Kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Babylonian Empire and the Jewish people were taken to Babylon as slaves, suffering persecution. Temistocle Solera, the librettist, created several new characters within this grand biblical epic, turning it into a captivating story of love and jealousy. Nabucco, the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible), has two daughters, Abigaille and Fenena, who form a complicated love triangle with Ismaele, the nephew of the King of Judah. Fenena is Nabucco's biological daughter, while Abigaille is the adopted daughter of a slave.

Stage direction of the prologue. Seoul Opera Company

Although 'Nabucco' contains many elements of a love and jealousy drama that can capture the audience's interest, there are often cases where the performance can feel tedious. Director Jang Seomun explained, "This is because the production focuses on the epic biblical narrative at the center while overlooking the delicate emotions of the three intertwined characters." He further emphasized, "By following the subtle emotions of the characters, the grand narrative of Nabucco can be experienced in a more engaging way," expressing his intent not to miss the characters' feelings.

Director Jang highlighted that, in order to delicately portray the emotions of the characters, he would require a great deal from the singers in terms of acting. He said, "Opera singers who sing well also tend to act well," explaining, "because they feel the emotions embedded in the music."

Director Jang especially pointed out that Verdi was an outstanding composer in expressing drama through music. "Verdi was a composer who painted with music. When you listen to his music, you can visualize the scenes with the music alone. The music so clearly conveys what kind of scene Verdi wanted that you realize Verdi truly was something else. I feel that the music of genius composers already contains a great deal of acting."

Director Jang Seomun focused on conveying the story not only through the singers' acting but also through a variety of stage devices.

During the eight-minute overture, the background of why the Jewish people were invaded by the Babylonians is explained in relation to the Bible. After the creation of the world, a leader emerges to guide the Jews to the land of Canaan, and as the Jews become corrupted, they incur God's wrath, which ultimately leads to an invasion by foreign powers.

Rehearsal of the opera 'Nabucco.' Seoul Opera Company

Rehearsal of the opera 'Nabucco'. Seoul Opera Company

The invasion of the Babylonians, which terrifies the Jews from the very start of the opera, is visually heightened by the staging of a giant king chess piece advancing across the stage. Director Jang Seomun explained, "The Babylonian invasion doesn't actually occur until 30 minutes after the opera begins, so it was necessary to create a sense of overwhelming intimidation."

The third act of 'Nabucco' opens with Abigaille having seized power from Nabucco and sitting on the throne. Director Jang Seomun included a gladiator scene, reminiscent of the film 'Gladiator,' to enhance the drama's tension and excitement. He explained, "I imagined that Abigaille, like an ancient monarch, would have enjoyed cruelty."

Director Jang's focus on the story, in addition to music—the very essence of opera—is to make the opera more accessible and understandable for the audience. He remarked, "A director is someone who brings together the work and the audience," adding, "It is more important for the audience to understand the story of the work than for the director's personality to be highlighted."

Opera is often perceived by the general public as a difficult and abstruse art form. However, Director Jang Seomun emphasized that before the advent of cinema, opera was the most popular genre among classical arts. He explained, "While chamber or symphonic music is expressed through music alone, opera is a genre in which theater is added to music," and stated, "Opera is by no means difficult."

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