[KCC On Stage] Soprano Sunhae Im

14.03.2025 (Fri) 20:00 @ Korean Cultural Center

*Free entrance / Reservation required via the link / Sold-out 

KCC On Stage: Discover Korean Performing Arts Every Month at KCC!

“Among the best actor-singers I know” - René Jacobs, conductor

“She has a golden voice” - Philippe Herreweghe, conductor

“A splendidly bright soprano” - The New York Times

With a mesmerising voice and an irresistible stage presence, Sunhae Im is one of the world’s leading artists of her repertoire today. Ms. Im has appeared with many of the greatest conductors, performers, and opera companies of our time.

Celebrating 25 years since her debut, Sunhae Im was born in Korea and studied with No-kyung Park at Seoul National University before continuing her training with Roland Hermann at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. She made a remarkable concert debut with Philippe Herreweghe in 1999, followed by her opera debut at the Frankfurt Opera in 2000. That same year, she was recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, Belgium. From 2001 to 2003, she was a member of the Hannover State Opera, Now based in Berlin, she enjoys an international career as a freelance singer, performing on the most prestigious stages worldwide.

[Programme]

Nanpa Hong (1898-1941)

The Spring Girl - lyrics by Eunsang Yi

Sunnam Kim (1917-1983)

San Yoo Hwa (Wild Flowers on the Mountains) - lyrics by Sowol Kim

Isang Yun (1917-1995)

Swing - lyrics by Sangok Kim

Inpyeong Jeon (1945- )

Madam Bbaengdeok - from Pansori Simcheongga

Wonju Lee (1979- )

Yi Hwa Woo (Falling Pear Blossom) - lyrics by Mae Chang

Il Hoon Son (1990- )

Wish - lyrics by Taejoo Ra

Jeongjun Ahn (1929-2009)

Ari Arirang - based on Korean traditional folk song

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

Dream with Me - lyrics by Leonard Bernstein

A Little Bit in Love - lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

George Gershwin (1898-1937)

The Man I Love - lyrics by Ira Gershwin

Summertime - lyrics by Dorothy Heyward, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin

IL HOON SON, PIANO

Il Hoon Son is renowned for blending music and games in his innovative Musical Game Series. His works, including 20 Questions and Rhythm Bomb, have been premiered by notable ensembles such as the Amsterdam Piano Quartet and Het Nieuw Ensemble. He has showcased his works internationally and received acclaim from prominent festivals and theaters. Orchestras and musicians such as the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra, Atheneum Kamerorkest Den Haag, conductor Ed Spanjaard, Ryan Bancroft have commissioned works from him. His compositions are performed at the Seoul Arts Center, Tokyo Suntory Hall, Muziekgebouw Amsterdam, and Internationales Carillon Festival Berlin. Most recently, he released an album titled In Early Spring in collaboration with cellist Hoechan Lee.

HOECHAN LEE, CELLO

Hoechan Lee was admitted to the Korea National University of Arts as a gifted student and later completed advanced studies in Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, Musikhochschule Lübeck, and Universität Mozarteum Salzburg. He has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonisches Orchester Lübeck, and so on. His festival appearances span Korea and Europe, including the Tongyeong International Music Festival and Naantali Music Festival, as well as performances in Germany, Austria, and Italy. He currently teaches at Yonsei University and major arts institutions while serving as an Artist Committee member of Ensemble Blank. Additionally, he has released the albums Letter and In Early Spring, continuing to expand his musical endeavors across various fields.