On the evening of March 14, despite the forecast of a springtime cold snap, the streets around the Seoul Arts Center were filled with people enjoying the leisure of a friday night. Many were dressed in light spring clothes as they made their way to the concert, enjoying the feel of spring in the air. The special opera performance touched many hearts, and here are the highlights from the 2025 SeAH Woon Hyung Lee Foundation Concert.

SeAH Woon Hyung Lee Foundation was founded in 2013 to honor the late Woon Hyung Lee, who dedicated his life to the pure arts and culture. The foundation carries on his legacy by broadly supporting artistic work and academic research, highlighting the dedication and passion of artists and helping their value shine ever brighter.

Since 2015, the foundation has hosted annual concerts to bring opera closer to the public while providing valuable stage opportunities to sponsored artists. By inviting world-renowned opera singers, it also plays a key role in promoting global cultural exchange.

On this year’s stage, SeAH Woon Hyung Lee Foundation Concert—renowned for its outstanding performances and thoughtfully curated programs—featured Rusalka, a masterpiece by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. The opera, which beautifully portrays the love, betrayal, and emotional struggles of the water nymph Rusalka through lyrical storytelling and music, has remained a beloved work worldwide since its premiere in Prague in 1901.

The Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center was filled with guests chatting with friends, family, and loved ones, capturing the moment with photos as they waited for the performance to begin. Some had already taken their seats, reading the program booklet with happy anticipation. As the performance time approached, the hall filled with excited guests. Soon, the orchestra took their places at center stage, which resembled an enchanted forest, and the conductor raised his baton, signaling the start of the performance.

Rusalka, often referred to as the “Czech Little Mermaid,” is based on Slavic mythology and tells the story of love between a human and a nymph. Rusalka, a water nymph, falls in love with a prince who appears at the lake one day. She seeks out the witch Ježibaba, wishing to become human. Despite Ježibaba’s warning—that she will lose her voice and, if abandoned, can never return to being either a nymph or a human—Rusalka chooses to become human for love.

The prince falls in love with Rusalka at first sight and brings her to his palace. However, he soon grows distant due to her silence and turns his affection to a captivating foreign princess, leaving Rusalka behind. The only way for Rusalka to return to her nymph form is to kill the man who betrayed her and drink his blood. But before she can, the prince returns to the lake, searching for Rusalka. Filled with regret, he confesses his love: “Life is meaningless without you. I would rather die in your kiss.” In a final, passionate embrace, Rusalka and the prince die together.

The story of Rusalka—a water nymph who fell in love with a human prince—is one of inner conflict, adversity, longing, and sacrifice. These emotions are vividly brought to life through the passionate yet lyrical music that defines Dvořák’s signature style, deeply resonating with the audience. Rusalka’s aria “Song to the Moon (Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém)” is the most beloved piece of the opera, beautifully expressing her yearning for the prince. The transformation scene, in which Rusalka trades her tail for human legs, is heightened by the witch’s mystical aria “Čury mury fuk.” The prince delivers his first aria “Wondrous Vision (Vidino divná)” after catching sight of Rusalka in her human form. Later, the duet “I see a strange glow in your eyes (Vám v očích divný žár se zračí)” sung by the prince and the foreign princess, casts an enchanted mood on stage.

Vodník, the king of the water nymphs, is overcome with grief and anger upon realizing that his daughter has been betrayed. He appears at the palace and sings alongside his daughter, “Rusalka, do you know me? (Rusalka, znáš mne, znáš?)”. In the opera’s sorrowful final duet, “My love, do you know me? (Miláčku, znáš mne, znáš?)”, Rusalka sings to the dying prince, delivering a moment of profound emotion that deeply moves the audience.

The opera was directed by Pyo Hyunjin, a renowned stage director known for her refined and sensuous productions, which highlighted the mystical beauty of Rusalka. The concert was conducted by David Yi, Artistic Director of Gangnam Symphony Orchestra and a sponsored artist of the foundation, who led the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Noi Opera Chorus in a rich and vibrant interpretation of Dvořák’s work.

The concert also featured three grand prize winners of the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Competition, recognized as one of the world's top three classical music contests. Soprano Seo Sunyoung, who won the women’s division in 2011, played the role of Rusalka, captivating the audience with her unique tone and commanding stage presence. Bass Park Jongmin, the 2011 men’s division winner, delivered a powerful and resonant portrayal of Vodník. Tenor Son Jihoon, winner of the 2023 competition and a sponsored artist of the foundation, who played the prince, showed his outstanding vocal ability. Joining them on stage were international mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Barrientos, Professor Kang Eunhyun of Gachon University, and sopranos Kim Doyeon, Moon Hyunjoo, and Park Sungeun, all sponsored by the foundation.

Although Rusalka was performed in Czech, a language unfamiliar to many, it added special meaning to the concert by offering a rare opportunity to experience the subtle beauty and rich musical depth of Dvořák’s work.

We hope this performance leaves a deep and lasting impression on the audience and furthers the mission of SeAH Woon Hyung Lee Foundation to make classical music more accessible to the public. We look forward to the beautiful world the foundation continues to build through music.