K-Content News

Opera singers' powerful voices fill the small theater and their expressions can be seen close up.
The 2021 Korean Chamber Opera Fest kicked off in early April at Seoul Arts Center.
And the five operas in the festival have taken a new approach.
Unlike many other operas, the lyrics and dialogue are not in a foreign language but rather in Korean, and the stage is much smaller than usual.
All of the operas are relatively short -- most of them running less than an hour and half.
Those working in the local opera scene, including globally recognized soprano Sumi Jo, and the head of Seoul Arts Center, say these changes are important in making opera more popular.

"Most people believe that operas are hard and boring because the majority of shows are in Italian and German, and they talk about Medieval European stories. Shows that this year's chamber opera festival are staging talk about our story in 100-percent Korean to the audience's delight."

"I heard that the five pieces of opera that will be presented this year will all be in Korean I believe it is quite revolutionary. I hope this festival will let more people know about opera and both artists and the audience will be able to enjoy the festival for a long time."

They added that compared to grand operas on big stages shows at small theaters let the audience see the singers' expressions up close and feel the power of their voices.
Chamber operas in Korean might be a starting point for people to set their prejudice aside and get interested in the art form.
The festival runs until April 25th.
Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang news.