The National Opera of Korea successfully staged the original Korean opera "Soul Mate" at the historic Teatro Monumental in Madrid, Spain, on May 18, receiving enthusiastic praise from the local audience. This performance was part of the cultural events commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain, a meaningful occasion that elevated the deepening friendship between the two countries through art.
The opera "Soul Mate" is a work reimagined by composer Lim June-hee, based on the play "A Auspicious Occasion for Maeng Jin-sa's Family" by playwright Oh Young-jin. Set in the Joseon Dynasty, this opera, which incorporates humorous storytelling and Korean aesthetics, was first introduced overseas under the title "Marriage" with its premiere at the Oper Frankfurt in Germany in 2006. Since then, it has consistently met with international audiences through various cities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, and this Madrid performance marked its seventh overseas tour.
The 1,500-seat auditorium at Madrid's Teatro Monumental was full, with His Excellency Lim Soo-suk, the Korean Ambassador to Spain, and many local audience members captivated by the charm of Korean opera. Notably, for this Spanish performance, the National Opera of Korea collaborated with the Spanish Millennium Orchestra and Choir, showcasing even richer musical harmony. The Spanish Millennium Choir, founded in 1999 by Korean conductor Im Jae-sik, has gained renown as the world's only foreign choir that sings Korean folk songs and art songs in Korean, despite most of its members being Spanish musicians. Conductor Im Jae-sik has been recognized for his contributions to cultural exchange between Korea and Spain, receiving the Royal Cross Order from the Spanish government and the Sejong Cultural Medal from the Korean government.
In addition to the "Soul Mate" performance in Madrid, cultural exchange celebrating the friendship between the two nations was expanded with a Korea-Spain diplomatic relations 75th-anniversary gala concert held at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona on May 14.
The National Opera of Korea's "Soul Mate" performance in Madrid was praised for creating a deep sense of empathy through art, transcending language and nationality, and making Madrid's heart beat. This once again proved the global potential of Korean opera, leading to expectations for even more active international endeavors in the future.
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