'Il Tenore' depicts hopes and dreams under colonial rule

"Il Tenore," a musical reflecting on the dreams and struggles of young Korean artists during the Japanese colonial era, runs through Feb. 25 at the Seoul Arts Center.

Actor Park Ji-yeon as anti-Japanese activist Seo Jin-yeon in the ongoing musical "Il Tenore" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [OD COMPANY]

[REVIEW]

Is the ability to dream big a blessing or a curse?

The ongoing musical “Il Tenore” explores the tragedy of young, passionate people during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), inspired by Korea's first-ever Italian opera and the country’s pioneering tenor Lee In-seon (1906-60).

“Il Tenore,” which means tenor in Italian, follows med-student-turned-opera-singer Yun I-seon, anti-Japanese activist and opera director Seo Jin-yeon and activist and stage designer Lee Su-han who all have dreams that they must fight to keep against the world as they come together to stage an opera that will spread the message of Korean independence without being censored by the Japanese.

Actor Hong Kwang-ho as an aspiring opera singer Yun I-seon in the ongoing musical "Il Tenore" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [OD COMPANY]

The original new musical has a book by Hue Park and Will Aronson. The polished, 150-minute production marks the first time that it has been commercially staged for a public audience.

The show effortlessly flows through a smartly written script, weaving in important questions about art, war and the duality of dreams. For these young minds, precious dreams are diminished, the future is a luxury and sacrifice is a daily virtue.

Emotions are fully unleashed in Act Two, and the immersive performances of the leading actors bring the show home. Actor Park Ji-yeon as Seo Jin-yeon, in the Saturday matinee, delivered an exceptionally heartfelt performance that she made her own. Actor Park Eun-tae as Yun I-seon is witty at times and devastatingly tragic in other scenes.

Actor Park Ji-yeon as anti-Japanese activist Seo Jin-yeon in the ongoing musical "Il Tenore" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [OD COMPANY]

Actor Park Eun-tae as an aspiring opera singer Yun I-seon in the ongoing musical "Il Tenore" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [OD COMPANY]

All this is depicted in a very subtle, picturesque form that is characteristic of works by the Park-Aronson duo. The four edges of the stage become window panes through which the seated audience has the privilege to peer at a small, precious part of history replaying itself.

Aronson's score doesn’t quite have a “bang” number, but it is nonetheless beautiful and flows seamlessly with the plot while also driving it forward.

Actors Hong Kwang-ho, Park Eun-tae and Seo Kyung-soo alternate the role of Yun I-seon; Kim Ji-hyun, Park Ji-yeon and Hong Ji-hee alternate Seo Jin-yeon; and Jeon Jae-hong and Shin Sung-min alternate Lee Su-han.

"Il Tenore" runs through Feb. 25 at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul.

A scene in the ongoing musical "Il Tenore" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [OD COMPANY][OD COMPANY]

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]