Korea National Opera to Tour China and Kazakhstan... Gala Concert of Original Opera "Match Made in Heaven"

Performances in Beijing on June 4 and Astana on June 7

The Korea National Opera will present the "Opera Voyage" tour performance, traveling with the 9th class of the National Opera Studio's Young Artists from June 4 to June 7, 2026, with stops in Beijing, China, and Astana, Kazakhstan.

This tour is co-hosted by the Korea National Opera, the Korean Cultural Center in China, and the Korean Cultural Center in Kazakhstan. It is part of the "Touring K-Arts" program, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.

The Korea National Opera will perform on June 4 at the Korean Cultural Center Theater in Beijing and on June 7 at the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera House in Kazakhstan. The Korean Cultural Center Theater in Beijing serves as a hub for cultural and artistic exchange, introducing Korean performing arts, while the Astana Opera House is Kazakhstan's premier opera venue.

Last year, the Korea National Opera received enthusiastic responses from local audiences during its North American tour, which included four cities: New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Ottawa, Canada. This year, the company seeks to introduce the charm of Korean opera and vocal music to Asian audiences who are already familiar with Korean culture through K-pop and dramas.

The "Opera Voyage" performance will showcase the diverse allure of Korean vocal music through contemporary Korean creative opera and art songs. The first part features a gala concert from "Match Made in Heaven," a contemporary Korean opera composed by Lim Junhee. "Match Made in Heaven" explores the universal theme of marriage through a uniquely Korean sensibility, delicately expressing Korea’s aesthetic and emotional qualities. Commissioned and produced by the Korea National Opera, the work was first performed in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2006, where it was praised as "an ideal blend of rich Korean culture and European elements." In this performance, sopranos Choi Youngwon and Jin Jueun will play the roles of Seohyang and Ippeuni, respectively, tenor Kim Hansung will perform as Mongwan, and baritone Nam Gichan will play the role of Seodong.

The second part will feature soprano Cha Yeeun, tenor Kim Hyunseo, and baritone Kim Changhyun performing opera arias and Korean art songs. The program includes well-known opera arias such as "Doretta's Beautiful Dream" from "La Rondine," "Ah! Rise, O Sun" from "Romeo and Juliet," and "Neither Pity, Nor Respect, Nor Love" from "Macbeth," as well as Korean art songs such as Kim Dongjin’s "Lingering Scent," Kim Seongtae’s "I Shall Live in the Green Hills," and Cho Dounam’s "Boat Song," conveying the depth and emotion of Korean vocal music.

Director Park Hyejin stated, "Following last year's North American tour, this year holds special significance as we meet with audiences in Northeast and Central Asia, regions with a long history of cultural exchange with Korea. I hope this tour will not only provide an opportunity for young artists to grow on a broader Asian stage but also serve as a platform for Korean opera to build deep cultural bonds with neighboring Asian countries."

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