연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2023-01-20 11:39:21
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) – The upcoming South Korean musical “Beethoven,” directed by a legendary duo of the musical circle, composer Sylvester Levay and playwright Michael Kunche, who also directed worldwide hit musicals “Elizabeth,” “Mozart!,” and “Rebecca,” has made a splendid world premiere at the Opera Theatre of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Kai, the South Korean musical actor who played the role of Beethoven in the world premiere held on Jan. 12, said, “The music of the legendary Beethoven, which is near perfection, has been sublimated into a musical from an instrumental piece” at the press call held at the Theatre on Thursday. He added, “I have been focusing on Beethoven’s music, emotions, and lines to harmonize and not break the flow.”
The world premiere musical “Beethoven” depicts the life of Beethoven, an epitome of musical geniuses, from 1810 to 1812, when he started to lose his hearing and was believed to have encountered an unknown “immortal lover.”
The musical drew attention by unusually and boldly incorporating the melodies of instrumental songs written by Beethoven, such as “Fate,” “Moonlight,” and “Pathetique” in the songs the actors perform.
Kai, who majored in classical vocal music, commented about performing the role of Beethoven by saying, “As one who majored in classical music, I instantly felt the pressure of playing those songs written by Beethoven as I was already well aware of how perfect and meaningful his masterpieces are in the history of classical music.”
Actor Park Eun-tae, who will also play the role of Beethoven, said, “As the power of music is strong, I tried not to be weighed down,” adding, “I focused on delivering characters and the story, and to connect with Beethoven himself.”
The world premiere musical depicts Beethoven not only as one of the most renowned musical geniuses of all time but also as a weak human being with childhood wounds and a deep distrust against people.
In order to do so, the actors perform a scene in which Beethoven gets enraged when his younger brother Casper, the only family member he ever relied on, tells Beethoven that he would be leaving him to marry his love of life. Actor Park explained, “I wished that the audience could sympathize with Beethoven’s love, agony, and changes in human appearance and emotions by watching me acting Beethoven,” adding, “At the same time, I wanted them to feel the emotions music delivers.”
The musical also illustrates Beethoven as a composer who gradually builds a wall around himself as he comes to endure hostile views and prejudices against him, and also in the rage of the fact that he had to make music for the pretentious nobles.
The one who breaks the wall was Antonie Brentano, the daughter of a wealthy merchant and also a woman who had an unfavorable marriage life by going through a political marriage.
Even if their love was never obtainable due to realistic restrictions, Beethoven’s inner wall slowly collapses, and his music becomes a legendary masterpiece despite losing his hearing abilities.
Ock Joo-hyun, who played the role of Antonie, said, “I think there is something special about Antonie in that she was the muse of Beethoven, one of the most renowned composers, and inspire him to write his masterpiece,” adding, “She embodies a motherly love that goes beyond a mere love between a man and woman. She accepts Beethoven as the man he already is.”
The eye-catching stage production, such as the collapse of the wall that was built on the stage and Prague’s Charles Bridge built over Antonie’s head, expresses the pressure Beethoven had throughout his musical career and life.
Actor Ock commented, “The scene where the bridge came down over my head while singing always makes me nervous, as those props are rather built delicately.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)
(END)
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]