The musical 'Opera' is set to meet audiences from October 1 to 18 at the Samsung Hall of Ewha Womans University.

'Opera' is an original musical centered around three historical figures: Louis XIV, the symbol of absolute monarchy in France, playwright Moliere, and composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. It portrays the friction that arises the moment art encounters power through the relationships among the three men.

The production tells the story of three individuals with different deficiencies meeting and opening a new era of art. Louis, who ascended the throne at a young age and had to prove his existence; Lully, who was sold to a foreign country and sought survival through music and dance; and Moliere, who captured the stages of Paris with his free imagination, create a golden age of art together. However, as Louis establishes absolute royal authority, art gradually transforms into a tool of power. The production will intensely spotlight the relationship among the three, dramatically capturing the agony and conflict of creating a new era and art.

Key points of anticipation for this work include a narrative that three-dimensionally reconstructs the relationships of real historical figures, and a large-scale theater-style stage blending music, drama, and dance against the backdrop of the 17th-century French court.

Moon Tae-yu and Cho Byung-gyu have been cast as Louis XIV, who symbolizes power and order. Moon, who has been active across stage and media, has appeared in musicals such as 'The Glorious Sonata,' 'Fan Letter,' and the play 'Bunker Trilogy,' and recently delivered passionate performances in dramas including 'Dear X Who Doesn't Love Me,' 'Hospital Playlist,' and 'Queen of Tears.' Cho Byung-gyu, who rose to stardom with the drama 'The Uncanny Counter,' is actively working across films and OTT platforms, and is taking on his first musical challenge following the play 'Visiting Hour,' which opens in August.

Baek In-tae and Cho Hwan-ji will take on the role of Lully, who symbolizes music and desire. Baek In-tae, who made a name for himself by appearing on JTBC's 'Phantom Singer' Season 1, has been active as a tenor and musical actor, taking the stage once again following musicals such as 'Secretly, Greatly: THE LAST,' 'Joker,' and 'Evita.' Musical actor Cho Hwan-ji has showcased solid singing abilities in 'Mad Hatter,' 'Sisyphus,' and 'Chami.'স

Lim Kang-sung and Kang Jung-woo will appear as Moliere, who symbolizes sincerity and language. Lim Kang-sung, active as both a singer and actor, has played roles in various works including 'Brothers Karamazov,' 'Sisyphus,' the play 'White Rabbit Red Rabbit,' and the film 'Voice of Silence.' Kang Jung-woo has proven his acting prowess through genre-spanning activities, including the musicals 'Long Long Night,' 'The Extremely Fun Gashinas,' and 'The Red Garden,' as well as the Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' and the drama 'Scarecrow.'

In addition, Jung Ah-in and Baek Seo-jin will play Armande, Park Jin-joo will play Anne, Kim Se-jin will play Colbert, Kim Jun-oh will play Cambert, Zwa Seung-hoon will play Mazarin, and Kwon Sung-chan will play D'Azel, adding to the production's completeness.

Choo Jung-hwa, who is in charge of the writing and direction of 'Opera,' has earned trust for cohesively unraveling the intertwined relationships of the historical figures and visually and emotionally embodying the point where art and power collide. Having shown strengths in staging inner human conflicts through works like 'Sisyphus,' 'Frida,' and 'Interview,' she continues her signature dense directorial style in this production as well.

Heo Soo-hyun, serving as the composer and music director, has infused the contrasting emotions of Louis XIV's power, Lully's yearning, and Moliere's truth into each number, structuring the musical flow so that the characters' psychological changes are naturally revealed. The musical colors built up in works such as 'Sisyphus,' 'Secretly, Greatly,' and 'Frida' are expected to continue in this project.

The musical 'Opera' will be performed from October 1 to 18 at the Samsung Hall of Ewha Womans University.

 

(Photo: Yonhap News / Reported by Kim Ji-hye from SBS Yeonye News)