A groundbreaking classical music festival is transforming the way audiences experience live performances by combining traditional concerts with immersive visual art. Classic Weekends, running from August 8-24 at the Theatre des Lumieres in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, presents eight performances that merge live music with large-scale media art projections, creating what organizers call "a symphony for the senses."
The festival is led by soprano Hong Hye-ran as artistic director and pianist Jeong Tae-yang as music director. The unique venue, located within the Walkerhill Hotel complex, spans 4,958 square meters with a 21-meter ceiling and is equipped to project 360-degree visuals across its walls, ceilings, and floors. Originally designed for digital art exhibitions, the space has been specially adapted for these innovative concerts.
The opening weekend showcased three performances by leading Korean classical musicians. On August 9, audiences enjoyed a trio recital featuring violinist Lim Ji-young, pianist Son Jeong-beom, and cellist Mun Tae-guk. This was followed by a vocal recital starring bass-baritone Samuel Youn and countertenor Lee Dong-gyu. The festival's centerpiece, Verdi's "La Traviata," is scheduled for August 16, 22, and 24.
The opera production features an impressive cast, with Hong Hye-ran performing as Violetta and tenor Son Ji-hoon, winner of the 2023 Tchaikovsky Competition, taking the role of Alfredo. Baritone Lee Dong-hwan will perform as Germont, accompanied by a seven-piece string ensemble, a pianist, and a 15-member chorus. Instead of traditional opera sets, projected visuals will create the staging environment, offering audiences a completely new operatic experience.
Additional performances include the Going Home Project on August 15, featuring celebrated pianist Son Yeol-eum, violinist Svetlin Roussev, and flutist Cho Sung-hyun. The festival will conclude with a performance by the 12-member Cellista Ensemble on August 23. Each performance follows a unique 90-minute, no-intermission format designed to maintain audience focus and enhance the immersive experience.
"Video projections will run on all sides of the theater for opera and instrumental performances alike, with visuals produced to match the program's content and mood," explained Jeong, who previously served as an opera coach with the Korea National Opera. "The visuals will change depending on the atmosphere of the piece – in some performances, it may feel as though the audience were being transported to another place."
Classic Weekends represents a significant addition to Seoul's expanding summer classical music scene, joining established events like the Seoul Arts Center International Music Festival and Lotte Concert Hall's Classic Revolution. The organizers view this integration of visual and musical elements as a way to broaden the audience experience and attract new fans to classical music.
For artistic director Hong Hye-ran, the festival serves a deeper purpose beyond entertainment. "We talk about popularizing classical music, yet opportunities for performers keep shrinking," she said. "Here, the audience will feel as though they've stepped inside the work itself, expanding their senses in new ways." This innovative approach aims to create more meaningful connections between classical music and contemporary audiences while providing valuable performance opportunities for musicians.
