Ballet, classical concerts become more audience-friendly

Accessible cultural performances gain traction

By Park Jin-hai

Cultural events are becoming more audience-friendly, offering everything from ballet performances with insightful commentary to weekday afternoon classical music concerts.

In a bid to lower the barriers to entry, the Mapo Foundation for Arts and Culture's "M Ballet Series" provides behind-the-scenes information and stories, while the Seoul Arts Center and Lotte Concert Hall offer "Matinee Concerts" with easy-to-understand explanations.

The "Franz Liszt Night" ballet performance held by the Mapo Foundation for Arts and Culture on Friday, invited star ballerino Jeon Min-chul, who is set to join the Mariinsky Ballet. The 20-year-old ballerino, often dubbed "Korea's Billy Elliot," took the stage at Mapo Arts Center Art Hall Mac and performed his first original choreography, "Liebestraum," set to Liszt's piano piece of the same name.

After the performance, he shared his thoughts with the audience, saying, "Rather than feeling love, I felt like I was reminiscing about the past. My choreography expressed the feelings of someone who has lost a loved one and is left feeling hopeless and sorrowful."

The commentary has enriched the audience's understanding of the ballet.

By providing insights into the choreographer's intentions and the inspiration behind the pieces, the commentary has made the performances more engaging and educational.

Kim Yong-geol, a legendary Korean ballet dancer, explained how he was inspired by pianist Lim Yun-chan's interpretation of Liszt's "Transcendental Etudes No. 4" when creating his choreography for "Mazeppa." He also shared fascinating stories about Liszt's life and career, including his striking appearance, his musical abilities that attracted many fans and his pioneering achievements, such as his solo piano recitals.

The "M Ballet Series" has been a resounding success since its launch in 2023. Featuring renowned dancers and insightful commentary, the series has consistently sold out, demonstrating the public's growing interest in ballet.

Matinee concerts — originating from the French word "matin" (morning) — typically refer to daytime performances. They have become increasingly popular for their relaxed atmosphere and informative commentary. Unlike evening concerts, matinee performances often feature more informal elements, such as commentary, to make the experience more accessible to the audience.

The Seoul Arts Center pioneered the "11 AM Concert" series. The recent "11 AM Concert," featuring guitarist Ahn Yong-heon and pianist Choi Hyoung-lok, marked the start of another successful season. Actor Kang Seok-woo also participates as a concert commentator. The venue will continue to host the "Saturday Concert" and "Heart Classic Concert," both presented as regular matinee performances.

Lotte Concert Hall also offers regular matinee performances. It is bringing back its popular matinee concert series, featuring artists who are both talented and relatable. Kicking off the series, violinist Danny Koo will perform three concerts themed around movies, spring and jazz starting in March. In the second half of the year, soprano Hwang Su-mi will take the stage with themed concerts focused on songs, operas and musicals that have shaped her life starting September.

In addition, Seongnam Arts Center is hosting a matinee concert exploring Austrian music, featuring a diverse range of musical genres including choir, opera and art songs.