American Ballet Theater marks GS Arts Center's grand opening with 'tasting menu'
ABT brings 104 members including 16 principal dancers
The American Ballet Theatre will mark the opening of the GS Arts Center in Seoul with a sweeping program of classical and contemporary works, highlighting the company's wide-ranging mixed repertoire and artistic versatility.
ABT has brought a company of 104 members, including 70 dancers — 16 of whom are principal dancers — to Korea for this highly anticipated engagement. The lineup also includes five Korean dancers: principal dancers Seo Hee and Ahn Joo-won, soloists Han Sung-woo and Park Sun-mi, and corps de ballet member Seo Yoon-jung.
From Friday to Sunday, the company will present a mixed repertoire program, with a different lineup each day that spans choreographic milestones from the 20th century to the present.
"Normally Korean audiences expect a full-length ballet, but what's so exciting about our mixed repertoire is that audiences will see the full range of talent from our principal dancers to the corps de ballet, in a dynamic blend of classical and contemporary works," said Susan Jaffe, ABT's artistic director and the first woman to lead the company, during a press conference Tuesday at the GS Arts Center.
The repertoire reads like a curated 'tasting menu,' as ABT Executive Director Barry Hughson put it, offering a wide range of styles and moods.
Audiences will be treated to George Balanchine's "Theme and Variations" (1947), a hallmark of neoclassical ballet and a signature work in ABT's repertoire; Twyla Tharp's dynamic "In the Upper Room" (1986); and Mercurial Son (2024), a new contemporary work by Kyle Abraham. Also on the program is "La Boutique" (2024), a fresh creation by emerging choreographer and former ABT dancer Gemma Bond.
Interspersed throughout the day's program are pas de deux from "The Sleeping Beauty," "Great Galloping Gottschalk," "Sylvia" and "Sinatra Suite," as well as "Neo," a duet that explores the intimacy and innovation of contemporary ballet.
The rotating programs and multiple casts are designed to show the versatility of ballet.
'I feel like that keeps people's attention more. So each time a new work is shown, it keeps your eyes fresh,' said Jaffe, adding that audiences can return and experience something new -- whether it is the same dancer in different pieces or the same piece with different casts.
Seo Hee, the first Asian principal dancer in ABT's history, who has been with the company for 20 years, shared her excitement about the homecoming.
'It's been a long time since I performed in Korea as a member of a ballet company. I'm thrilled to perform here with my fellow dancers and share it with everyone."
Reflecting on her two decades with ABT, Seo said, 'I wouldn't say the 20 years gave me confidence, but rather a sense of pride. I've dedicated myself to this work like a craftsman, staying focused on my path, and that brings me so much pride.'
Ballerino Ahn also expressed his enthusiasm for the performance.
'All the programs are ones I found inspiring and shocking when I first saw them in the US. I hope audiences in Korea will love them too,' said Ahn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Baby Dont Cry kicks off lovely, cheeky journey
P Nation's first girl group debuts with 'F Girl,' produced by Soyeon of I-dle Another ambitious rookie group has stepped into the K-pop arena. Like its distinctive team name, Baby Dont Cry aims to present a unique genre and a fresh attitude. BDC — consisting of Korean members Yihyun and Beni, and Japanese members Kumi and Mia —held its debut showcase in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Monday. The very name of the group challenges conventional imagery. 'Baby' in the name signifies pure, strong energy, rather than a fragile, vulnerable being who needs protection, according to the group. 'At first, the name felt unfamiliar as it's a sentence. But I found the new interpretation of 'Baby' — representing innocence and strength — very refreshing, and now I am deeply attached to our name,' said Beni. The debut single 'F Girl' features an exciting guitar sound and powerful choreography. It carries a strong message of confronting people who judge others with scores and numbers. Leader Yihyun named the group's signature genre as the 'Baby Rock,' a genre combining lovely visuals with firm self-confidence and honesty. The group also dropped the prerelease track 'Bet You'll Regret It.' The track conveys a bold message, saying one would regret it if they did not fall for BDC right away. BDC is the first girl group launched by P Nation, a label headed by singer Psy. The debut single was produced under the direction of I-dle's Soyeon. As a veteran K-pop girl group artist and a skillful producer, Soyeon guided the four members throughout the album-making process. 'I've always loved watching I-dle's performance, so when I heard that Soyeon would be producing our debut song, I was thrilled,' said Beni. Mia recalled how Soyeon's detailed guidance helped members through the nerves of their first recording session. 'We were really tense, and our energy dropped. But Soyeon encouraged us and even gave us mental support. Her detailed advice helped us adapt to the process quickly.' Psy also offered valuable advice as a CEO. 'He told us that truly enjoying the stage is the most important part, saying if we're full of energy, the audience will feel it and gain strength,' said Mia. BDC aims to present an image that is both lovable and strong. 'We want to be sweet and lovable, but with an unexpected pop, like popping candy,' Kumi said. 'We're a really cute group,' said Beni with a smile. 'We hope to be a group that brings healing to people, showcasing a lovable and confident image at the same time.'
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Park Chan-wook wants to film 'Human Acts' by Nobel laureate Han Kang if given the chance
Filmmaker Park Chan-wook would like to adapt 'Human Acts' by Nobel laureate Han Kang into a film if given the chance. 'Just reading the first chapter, I thought, 'Wow, this is just masterfully written.' It struck me as a masterpiece from the start,' he said. The comment came during a session titled 'Park Chan-wook's Literary Anchors' with literary critic Shin Hyoung-cheol, held Friday at the Seoul International Book Fair at Coex. When asked whether there are any Korean novels he dreams of adapting, Park responded that the idea remains a distant hope -- 'just one of those thoughts that simply make you happy to imagine.' Alongside 'Human Acts,' he mentioned Park Kyong-ni's 20-volume epic 'Toji (Land),' Lee Mun-ku's interconnected short story collection 'Gwanchon Essays,' Shin Kyung-sook's 'The Lone Room' and Kim Hoon's 'The Song of the Sword.' Park is widely known as a voracious reader, and many of his films have their roots in literature. His breakout hit 'Joint Security Area' (2000) was based on a novel by Park Sang-yeon, while 'The Handmaiden' reimagined Sarah Waters' 'Fingersmith' in colonial-era Korea. His hardboiled classic 'Oldboy' drew inspiration from a Japanese manga of the same name. Park likened working with literary source material to 'a trip planned with a detailed itinerary.' 'Having a source novel does give me a certain sense of security,' he said. 'But just like with travel, things rarely go exactly as planned. Even when you begin adapting a novel, you often end up somewhere completely different from where you first imagined.' He recalled that 'Decision to Leave,' which earned him the best director award at Cannes, originally began as an attempt to adapt the final chapter of the last volume in the 10-part Swedish Martin Beck detective series -- but ultimately evolved into an entirely different story. Park explained that what anchors a film in its source novel varies with each project. 'Sometimes it's a character that strikes me; other times it's the narrative itself. It's hard to capture in just one word.' Or sometimes it's just a simple description. For instance, in Emile Zola's 'Therese Raquin,' the novel that inspired his film 'Thirst,' he underlined this sentence: The Arcade of the Pont Neuf is not a place for a stroll. You take it to make a short cut, to gain a few minutes. Park is currently in post-production on his upcoming film 'No Other Choice' starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin. Set for release during the Chuseok holiday in October, the black comedy is also adapted from Donald E. Westlake's horror thriller novel 'The Ax.' The five-day Seoul International Book Fair reportedly drew around 150,000 visitors, based on the same number of tickets offered as last year. The Korean Publishers Association, which organized the event, declined to disclose the exact number of tickets issued. All tickets were sold out in advance through online reservations.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
La Scala's Ortombina on maestro Chung Myung-whun, Verdi and opera's future
BUSAN -- During the opening weekend of Busan's much-anticipated new concert hall, conductor Chung Myung-whun -- artistic director of Classic Busan, the municipal office overseeing the Busan Concert Hall and the upcoming Busan Opera House -- led a series of inaugural concerts that signaled a new chapter in the city's cultural ambitions. Among those in attendance was Fortunato Ortombina, artistic director of Milan's Teatro alla Scala, one of the world's most storied opera houses. Ortombina, who has worked closely with Maestro Chung over two decades, shared personal reflections and outlined a vision for deepening ties between Busan and La Scala. In an interview with Korean media on Saturday, Ortombina recalled his first glimpse of Chung in 1992. At the time, Ortombina was a student and tour guide in the city of Verdi's birth. A group of American tourists offered him a ticket to La Scala for a performance of "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" by Shostakovich, conducted by Chung. "I sat just five meters away," Ortombina remembered. Their first formal meeting came in 2003 at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, when Chung led the Orchestra of Santa Cecilia at the theater's reopening after a devastating fire. From 2003 to 2007, the two worked together at La Scala, where Ortombina served as head of artistic planning. Later, as artistic director of La Fenice for 17 years, Ortombina invited Chung to conduct nearly every year. "He is the conductor I've worked with the most in my life," he noted. Ortombina also highlighted Maestro Chung's enduring relationship with La Scala. Since his debut in 1989, Chung has led more than 180 performances with the Filarmonica della Scala, interpreting a wide range of operatic works — from Shostakovich and Strauss to Mozart and Puccini, with Verdi at the core. 'Verdi is Italy's most important composer,' said Ortombina. 'And although Maestro Chung was born in Busan, his musical sensibility is profoundly Italian.' Chung's deep understanding of Verdi, and his ability to convey emotional truth and narrative clarity, were central to his appointment as the music director of La Scala, Ortombina explained. The decision was made unanimously by the board and the city of Milan, he said. "When I had to choose a new music director, I asked who had the strongest connection with the orchestra and the capacity to shape a long-term project. That person was Maestro Chung," Ortombina said. "Talent is a miracle. Verdi probably didn't even know Korea existed, but his music found fertile ground here." As part of a growing partnership, the Filarmonica della Scala will perform at the Busan Concert Hall in September. Ortombina's three-day trip to Korea includes talks on further collaboration and a site tour of the Busan Opera House, set to open in 2027. With over 20 years of experience leading major opera institutions, Ortombina underscored the importance of public engagement. 'My dream is that five years from now, no one in Milan can say they've never been to La Scala. This is not only an artistic project; it's a social one.' He pointed to initiatives like youth education programs, school tours of opera workshops, and simplified opera adaptations for children. "Opera should be part of humanistic education," he said. "Just like we study Caravaggio or read Thomas Mann, we should experience Verdi." Describing La Scala as "the second home of every Milanese, which was rebuilt even before schools and hospitals after World War II," Ortombina said that "A theater should belong to its city. If Busan's citizens feel ownership of their new opera house, that will be the true success." Speaking about Busan's new opera house, Ortombina reaffirmed his belief in opera's enduring relevance. 'It's not about whether an opera is old. It's about how it speaks to us today. That's what Maestro Chung excels at -- bringing timeless music close to the heart.' On Saturday, Maestro Chung took the stage with the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra -- which he founded in 1997 -- conducting and performing as pianist in Beethoven's Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56, alongside cellist Jian Wang and violinist Sayaka Shoji. The program culminated in a stirring performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, 'Choral.' Comprising top-tier musicians from Korea, China and Japan, the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra has alternated between periods of activity and hiatus since its founding. It reconvened under Chung's direction for the opening of the Busan Concert Hall. Reflecting on the evening, Ortombina said, 'I was glad to be part of the historic performance at the Busan Concert Hall. Reflecting on the meaning of the music and the work made it all the more moving. The acoustics were satisfying, and the performance was fantastic!'
