SEOUL — Classical music lovers in Seoul are in for an extraordinary vocal spectacle this late summer. The Orpheus Opera Company, a cornerstone of South Korea's vibrant classical scene, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a grand Art Song Concert on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the International Art Hall in Apgujeong.
For the past decade, the Orpheus Opera Company has bridged the gap between grand opera and the public, delivering emotionally resonant performances that blend high-level artistry with accessible storytelling. This 10th-anniversary showcase stands as a testament to that decade-long journey, bringing together an extraordinary lineup of elite vocalists, celebrated accompanists, and a meticulously curated program that spans European romanticism and Korean lyrical mastery.
At the heart of this milestone event is the vision of Tenor Byung-Woon Jeon, who serves as the General Executive Producer, Representative of Orpheus Opera Company, and Director of the Orpheus Vocal Society. A graduate of Kyung Hee University’s College of Music who completed his Advanced Performance Studies at the Scuola di Musica Sinfonia in Lucca, Italy, Jeon is a master communicator through song. Having swept first-place honors at the Rising Star Competition and the New York Daily News Orchestra Competition, Jeon has illuminated stages across South Korea and abroad. His rich operatic career includes starring roles in classics such as La Traviata, Tosca, Carmen, and L'elisir d'amore, alongside historical and original creations like 1932 Shanghai Morning - Maeheon Yoon Bong-gil and The Unpredictable Man of the Field: Lee Hoe-taek.
Jeon’s versatile artistry extends beyond the operatic stage to the sacred and symphonic realms, having performed as a featured tenor soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s The Creation. For this anniversary concert, Jeon not only steers the artistic direction but will also take the stage himself to deliver S. Cardillo’s passionate Italian classic Core 'n grato, as well as joining Soprano Woo-Yeon Jung for Kim Hyo-geun’s heartwarming duets The Most Beautiful Life and the ensemble finale. His dual role as both creative mastermind and featured soloist guarantees an evening infused with artistic passion and executive precision.
Adding immense gravitas and vocal authority to the roster is the legendary Soprano Ki-Jung Zhang. A distinguished alumnus of Ewha Womans University and its graduate school, Zhang completed her advanced musical training at the Darmstadt City Conservatory of Music in Germany. Her brilliant career includes over 100 acclaimed concert and orchestral appearances both domestically and internationally, alongside starring roles in seminal productions at the Seoul Arts Center, such as Turandot, Cavalleria Rusticana, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Carmen.
Having previously served as a full professor and Department Chair at Kwangju Women's University, Professor Zhang represents the pinnacle of vocal pedagogy and stage presence in Korea. Her participation brings an extraordinary depth of artistry to the ensemble. During the performance, audience members will have the rare privilege of hearing her perform R. Leoncavallo’s vibrant Mattinata in the first half, followed by a soulful rendition of Kim Seong-tae’s iconic Korean art song Dongsimcho in the second half. Her seamless transition from Italian verismo brilliance to traditional Korean nostalgic lyricism promises to be one of the undeniable high points of the afternoon.
The concert itself is structured into two sweeping halves. The opening section offers a rich tour of international art songs (Ausländische Lieder), weaving through French impressionism, German Lieder, and Italian canzones. Highlights include F. Liszt’s Enfant, si j'étais roi sung by Soprano Sa-Eung Jin, C. Debussy’s Nuit d'étoiles by Soprano Ji-Eun Lee, E. Satie’s playful Je te veux by Soprano Seol-Mui Lee, R. Schumann’s emotional Ich grolle nicht by Tenor Eun-Jin Kang, and F.P. Tosti’s thrilling L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra performed by Tenor Hee-Young Shin.
The second half transitions to the intimate beauty of Korean Gagok (classical art songs), reflecting the deep emotional landscape of the Korean spirit. Audiences will be treated to contemporary and classic masterpieces such as Yoon Hak-jun’s Janhang sung by Baritone Seung-Jae Kang, Ahn Jeong-jun’s thrilling Ari Arirang by Soprano Ho-Jung Kim, and Kim Hyo-geun’s comforting Even If Life Deceives You performed by a powerful quartet featuring Baritone Seung-Jae Kang, Tenor Byung-Woon Jeon, Soprano Yeon-Seon Maeng, and Soprano Won-Young Eom.
Bringing these vocal fireworks to life on the keyboard are two of Korea's finest music coaches and accompanists, Ji-Ho Jeon (Representative of La Seonyul Entertainment) and Sung-Mi Hong (former music coach at the Bonn National Theatre and Aachen Theatre in Germany). Their nuanced pianistic accompaniment will provide the harmonic bed for a performance that promises to resonate long after the final applause.
The entire ensemble will unite on stage for a magnificent choral rendition of Choi Young-sub’s immortal My Dear Geumgangsan, offering a grand, chill-inducing finale to celebrate ten years of musical history and look ahead to the next decade.
Offered at an accessible ticket price of 30,000 KRW, this landmark concert represents an unparalleled opportunity to experience world-class vocal talent in an intimate setting. For music enthusiasts, aspiring singers, and anyone seeking inspiration in the heart of Seoul, the Orpheus Opera Company’s 10th-anniversary concert is the must-attend cultural event of the season.
Performance Details:
• Title: Orpheus Opera Company 10th Anniversary Art Song Concert
• Date & Time: Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM
• Venue: International Art Hall (국제아트홀, 74m from Apgujeong Station, Exit 5, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)
• Ticket Price: 30,000 KRW
• Host & Organizer: Orpheus Opera Company
