This letter is for global theatre officials and audiences To All of Our Global Friends 🌍 |
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Greetings from Daegu Opera House 👐
A magical five-night journey in Saaremaa! With natural backdrop of Saaremaa Castle, Daegu Opera House’s touch shone brightly each night. Relive those moving moments with us. 🏰🎶 |
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1️⃣ Sim Tjong: The First Full Standing Ovation in Saaremaa |
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"The most Sensational opera in Saaremaa’s history" - Estonian daily Saarte Hääl
As the opening performance of the Saaremaa Opera Festival, Sim Tjong delivered a deeply emotional experience, earning the first-ever full-house standing ovation in Saaremaa opera history. The response was overwhelming—audiences stomped their feet and erupted in applause after holding their breath in the final scene, and ticket demand surged immediately after the performance. With a stage reminiscent like an ink painting, graceful Korean-inspired movement, and delicate emotional expression, the performance deeply resonated with both audiences and the media.
The opera’s musical complexity—expressing the sound of Korean traditional music through Western instruments—was met with outstanding performances by Daegu International Opera Orchestra & Daegu Opera Choir. Sim Tjong was the main reason for the invitation to Saaremaa and was highly praised as “an artistic breakthrough opening a new chapter for Korean opera.
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▪️📹 Documentary by ERR (Estonian National Broadcasting) |
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A Global Celebration of Cultural Harmony
At the press conference on the opening day of the Saaremaa Opera Festival, the ongoing collaboration among UNESCO Creative Cities of Music and the festival’s background were introduced. Notable attendees included Eesti Kontsert CEO Kertu Orro, Daegu Opera House Intendant Kabgun Chung, Estonian Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Estonia In-sung Hwang, Daegu Director General of Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau Jae-Sung Lee, and ambassadors from various countries.
Heidy Purga stated “The Saaremaa Opera Festival will serve as a great opportunity to further strengthen cultural exchange between the two countries.”
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On 23rd, Orfeo ed Euridice was on stage. Estonia’s national broadcaster ERR highlighted the performance of Orfeo ed Euridice , noting that the classic opera, which explores the universal themes of love, loss, and hope, was newly reinterpreted. Orfeo ed Euridice will be performed as the closing production for the upcoming 2025 22nd Daegu International Opera Festival in October. |
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On the 25th, Madama Butterfly delivered a fresh impact even within a familiar repertoire. The lyrical stage along with an interpretation of Lilla Lee & Sungkyu Park left a deep impression on the audience, proving a sold-out power. |
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4️⃣ The Fragnance of Daegu |
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On 24th, a gugak performance by the Daegu City Traditional Music Orchestra, quickly sold out and attracted great attention. The program featured a diverse lineup, including traditional solos, folk songs, and dance. The audience especially enjoyed the explosive final samulnori performance, which received a big hit.
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▪️ Beyond the Opera.. Kurresaare Square 🎉 |
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At Kuressaare Square, a Korean cultural experience event was held by the Tallinn King Sejong Institute, which included activities such as trying on hanbok, and folding hanbok paper. All the street was full of Korean flag. |
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5️⃣ Grand Finale of the Gala Concert |
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K-OPERA Potential Proven Amid Long Standing Ovations
The Beautiful Resonance of the Opera Gala Concert 🇰🇷🇪🇪
The closing Opera Gala Concert showcased both Korean and Estonian artists, including Estonian Sop. Aile Asszonyi & Bass Ainger, alongside Korean performers from the festival. They performed famous opera arias and the Korean folk song Arirang, creating a memorable finale that symbolized cultural harmony.
Kertu Orro, CEO of Eesti Kontsert, praised Daegu Opera House for its excellent performances.
She noted that this year's festival attracted people from all over Europe, receiving great applause.
The 2025 Saaremaa Opera Festival left a strong impression thanks to the dedication of 150 DOH members.
Intendant Kabgun Chung highlighted the importance of promoting K-OPERA in Europe and plans to grow partnerships with European theaters.
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With Best Wishes, Goodbye Saaremaa – Daegu Opera House |
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Copyright ⓒ 2024 Daegu Opera House. All Rights Reserved.
ⓒ Photo Credit : Gunnar Laak / 2025 Saaremaa Opera Festival
DAEGU OPERA HOUSE
15, Hoam-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Tel 053-666-6000 |
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This newsletter is created for our theater officials and audiences from all over the world. |
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