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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-10-01 07:17:25
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- What might it have looked like if Louis XIV, the symbol of France's absolute monarchy, playwright Moliere and composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, three real-life figures who lived in the same era, had wrestled with art together before ultimately parting ways over their differing philosophies of art?
The original musical "Opera," premiering Oct. 1-18 at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall in Seoul, is directed by Choo Jung-hwa and brings together the intertwined relationships of the three historical figures through a cohesive fictional narrative. The musical depicts how art comes into contact with power and begins to develop cracks through the relationship among Louis XIV, Moliere and Lully.
Set in the 17th-century French court, the production has drawn attention for its combination of music, theater and dance. Musical fans have an additional reason to take notice: it marks actor Cho Byeong-kyu's first musical and his final production before he begins his mandatory military service.
At a press call and media conference held Wednesday at Samsung Hall, Cho, who plays Louis XIV, said, "I'm deeply moved that my first musical is 'Opera.'"
Cho said he had been unable to take on musical roles because he lacked confidence in his singing, but decided to join the production because he had long wanted to work with director Choo.
"I've wanted to work with Director Choo Jung-hwa ever since I was 21 after watching her productions," he said. "There was even a time when I wished this would be a play rather than a musical, but the opportunity came along this time and I ended up joining the cast."
Although it is his first musical stage, Cho said he adapted easily thanks to the support of the production team and fellow actors.
"Rehearsing wasn't as stressful as I had expected. Everyone around me helped me a lot," he said. "By communicating with the director and my fellow actors and doing my best, I was able to enjoy the rehearsal period."
Cho plans to enlist in the military later this year and will take a temporary break from acting after completing the production.
"After this production, I'll leave civilian life behind, but I'm also looking forward to that moment," he said. "I'm curious about what I'll be like after taking a year and a half off. I plan to endure it well, get through it and return."
Although the production is a work of the creators' imagination, it is based on historical records about the three real-life figures.
"It was fascinating that Moliere, Louis XIV and Lully lived in the same era," director Choo said. "I learned that they had created works together but ultimately had a sad parting, and that led me to look more closely at their relationship."
After studying the three figures, Choo said she became eager to bring their intertwined relationship with art to the stage.
"Works about real historical figures can become completely different creations depending on the perspective from which they are viewed," she said. "I wanted to tell how Louis XIV, Lully and Moliere met, what caused them to part ways and what they left behind after their separation."
Choo said she titled the musical "Opera" because she believed the happiest period for the three figures may have been when they were creating works together. She likened the period when their artistic spirits were in harmony to an opera combining three elements -- music, songs and a script.
"Each of the three figures achieved remarkable accomplishments individually, but I wondered if perhaps their happiest moments were when the three of them were together," Choo said. "The title 'Opera' doesn't simply refer to a genre. It represents the art created through the three figures coming together."
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