Koreans Featured in World Cup Concert

“Bravo Korea, Bravo Koreanische Musiker!”

Waterloo Plaza in Hanover, Germany was filled with harmonies made by Korean and German musicians and the audience’s storm of applause for them.

Yesterday at 2:30 p.m. (local time), in Hanover, at Waterloo Plaza, which is an official stage of the “fan festival” for the World Cup, a “World Cup Concert” was held starring Korean musicians such as the soprano Jo Su-mi, tenor Park Gi-cheon, and baritone Kim Tae-hyeon.

Among the various events held in the party squares established in the twelve host cities, only this one was a genuine classical concert. Gu Ja-beom, who is to become the standing conductor of the National Opera Theater of Hanover, conducted the concert while the Hanover Philharmonic Orchestra played the accompaniment.

As the square was full of Korean and Swiss fans, all dressed in red, the concert opened with Johann Strauss’ operetta, “The Bat.” The excitement of the audience grew as the repertories went from “My Dear Marquis,” an aria from “The Bat” sung by Jo Su-mi, and then continued by “From Flaming Death-Pyre” from Verdi’s “The Troubadour,” sung by Park Gi-cheon, and “The Toreador Song,” from Bizet’s “Carmen” sung by Kim Tae-hyun. Mezzo soprano Leandra Overmann also fervently sang “Habanera” from “Carmen.”

“I have ten albums of Jo Su-mi,” said Hanover citizen Hochmut (67). He continued in a delighted tone, “I never thought I could enjoy such a fabulous harmony like this at a World Cup fan festival.”

After the prelude of “The Bat” was played, Dr. Herbert Schmalstieg, the mayor of Hanover, Christian Wolff, the premier of Lower Saxony, and Lee Su-hyeok, the Korean ambassador to Germany announced their greetings. Schmalstieg said, “This is an event that fits best the fundamental intent of the World Cup—becoming friends with visitors from all over the world.”

Among the audience were also Chung Mong-joon, the president of the Korean Football Association, Chung Dong-chae, the minister of culture and tourism, and Sohn Sook, a former minister of environment.

As the conductor Gu said, “wishing Switzerland to fight well, we will play Rossini’s ‘Wilhelm Tell’ which depicts Switzerland’s independence” after the first half of the concert was over, the Swiss audience responded with a cheer.

The Korean audience who finished the concert watched the match between Korea and Switzerland through the huge screen at the plaza and rooted for the “Taegeuk Warriors” passionately.

Yoon-Jong Yoo gustav@donga.com