Korean Tribute Concert to First Responders November 9, 2023
Korea has great concert venues. On November 9, 2023, I went to a great concert at the Sejong Concert Hall in downtown Seoul. The show was a tribute show in honor of First Responders which is an annual concert. The music was mostly classical and great, the performers were a mixture of professional and amateur performers,
The concert was great – a mixture of amateurs and professionals, all friends and colleagues of the conductor, Kim Jaun, who is my best Korean friend’s wife. She retired last year from decades as the principal of one of the leading Arts high schools in Seoul, and is a choir conductor and classical pianist, still doing concerts and events at age 66! I have known the Songs since my Peace Corps days 50 years ago.
The program follows along with the song lyrics and YouTube video links supplied by Bing the AI Chat box who is now my AI Friend. Amazing what she can come up with. I like her better than BARD. Both have an almost human personality.
Sejong Cultural Center is the top concert hall in the city and always has great events both local and international including during the summer free outdoor concerts. When I was at the Embassy decades ago, I used to go to free concerts all the time as it was across the street from the Embassy, and attended some great concerts there as well.
Over the years I have attended great shows at various venues including Ray Charles, BB King, Psi, (Ganga style) Choi Yong Pill, and various visiting symphonies. I plan on going to concerts once a month from now on.
here’s the program – which was unfortunately mostly in Korean and not on line.
Disney Medley performed by the solus of Seoul Brass
Hector Villas Lopos Gradados and Bachanas Brazileros for Cello and Violin
D Shostatovick Five pieces for two violins and Piano
J Martini Plasir d’amour
The song you’re looking for is “Plaisir d’amour” by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Here are the lyrics to the song in English:
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
The pain of love lasts a lifetime
I gave up everything for an ungrateful one
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
Your promises are like the leaves of a tree
In the month of May they spread everywhere
A wind blows and carries them away
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
Love is a child who knows nothing
It starts by laughing and ends up crying
He who says that he has never loved
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
And here are the lyrics to the song in French:
Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie
J’ai tout quitté pour l’ingrate Sylvie
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant
Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie
Je t’aimerai, me répétait Sylvie
L’eau coule encore, elle a change pourtant
Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie
Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie
Love is a child who knows nothing
It starts by laughing and ends up crying
He who says that he has never loved
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
G Rossini Largo al factorum Delta Chita from the Opera Il Barbiere di Sivigila
Here are the lyrics to G. Rossini’s Largo al factotum della città from the opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia in both English and Italian:
English:
Make way for the factotum of the city,
Here I am at your service.
I’m the man who can do anything,
For you, for you, for all of you.
Yes, I’m the factotum of the city,
The most important man around.
I’m the man who can do anything,
For you, for you, for all of you.
and in Italian
Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo!
Fortunatissimo per verità!
Pronto a far tutto,
La notte e il giorno
Sempre d’intorno in giro sta.
Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere,
Vita più nobile, no, non si da.
Rasori e pettini
Lancette e forbici,
Al mio comando
Tutto qui sta.
V’è la risorsa,
Poiché intorno a me
Tutto qui sta.
Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo!
Fortunatissimo per verità!
Pronto a far tutto,
La notte e il giorno
Sempre d’intorno in giro sta.
Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere,
Vita più nobile, no, non si da.
Rasori e pettini
Lancette e forbici,
Al mio comando
Tutto qui sta.
V’è la risorsa,
Poiché intorno a me
Tutto qui sta.
Korean love song
infinite love
한없는 사랑
한없는 사랑 is a Korean song by the artist 김현식. Here are the lyrics in Korean:
한없는 사랑
이젠 내게 무슨 의미가 있나
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
한없는 사랑
이젠 내게 무슨 의미가 있나
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
Here is the English translation of the lyrics:
Endless love
Please leave now
Please leave now
Endless love
What meaning does it have for me now?
Please leave now
Please leave now
Please leave now
Please leave now
C Gounod “Je veux vivre “from the Opera Romeo E Juliette
The song you’re looking for is “Je veux vivre” from the opera “Roméo et Juliette” by Charles Gounod. Here are the lyrics to the song in English:
I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
I want to live, I want to believe
In my delirium, my fever, my madness!
Then let me enjoy the sweet charm
Of this beautiful day!
Yes, I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
I want to live, I want to believe
In my delirium, my fever, my madness!
Then let me enjoy the sweet charm
Of this beautiful day!
Yes, I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
And here are the lyrics to the song in French:
Je veux vivre dans ce rêve qui m’enivre,
Ce jour encore plus doux que l’espoir.
Dans cet ivresse, où rien ne peut m’atteindre,
Où l’amour monte jusqu’au ciel.
Je veux vivre, je veux croire
Aux choses que je ne vois pas.
Je veux que le printemps vienne,
Et que ta main me touche.
Je veux vivre dans ce rêve qui m’enivre,
Ce jour encore plus doux que l’espoir.
Dans cet ivresse, où rien ne peut m’atteindre,
Où l’amour monte jusqu’au ciel.
Here are some links to YouTube performances of the song:
Je veux vivre – Diana Damrau
Je veux vivre – Anna Netrebko
Je veux vivre – Sumi Jo
A Pizzaollo Libertango
A Pizzaollo Oblivion
“Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla in English:
If you love me, I’m like air
Like air, I’m everywhere
If you don’t love me, I’m like a light
Like a light, I go away
And here are the lyrics to the song in the original Spanish:
Si tu me quieres, soy como el aire
Como el aire, yo siempre estoy
Si no me quieres, yo no soy nada
Solo soy nada, nada más
“Oblivion” by Astor Piazzolla in English:
How much I loved you, you’ll never know
You took happiness with you when you left
How much I suffered, it’s better you don’t know
My silent pain, my hidden tears
And here are the lyrics to the song in the original Spanish:
Cuánto te amé, nunca lo sabrás
Te llevaste la felicidad cuando te fuiste
Cuánto sufrí, mejor no lo sabrás
Mi dolor callado, mis lágrimas escondidas
E Garner Misty
Look at me
I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I’m clinging to a cloud, I can’t understand
I get misty, just holding your hand
Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello, that music I hear
I get misty, the moment you’re near
You can say that you’re leading me on
But it’s just what I want you to do
Don’t you notice how hopelessly I’m lost
That’s why I’m following you
On my own
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left, my hat from my glove
I’m too misty, and too much in love
I’m too misty, and too much in love
AH Malote Lords Prayer in Korean and English
Korean:
이름이 거룩히 빛나시며
나라이 임하시며
뜻이 하늘에서 일어나는 대로
땅에서도 이루어지소서
오늘 우리에게 일용할 양식을 주시고
우리가 우리에게 잘못한 사람을 용서함과 같이
우리 죄를 용서하시고
시험에 빠지지 않게 하시고
악에서 구하소서
아멘
English:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
for more information see the following from BING AI’s helpful guide to the Sejong Culture Center.
. Sejong Center for the Performing Arts – Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, located in Jongno-gu, is an institution established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It serves as a major hub and venue for the performing arts in Seoul, boasting quality performances, musicals, and more.
The building itself is also noteworthy as it reinterprets an antiquated Korean architectural style in a modern style.
Comprising three basement floors and six ground floors, the center consists of a large theater, a small theater, an art museum, a convention center, a conference hall, a seminar hall, a fountain plaza, and a deck plaza, as well as the Schengen annex.
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is easily accessible as it is located at the center of the city; visitors can take the subway and get off Gwangwhamoon Station (Exit 1) or other modes of transportation to Sejong-aero.
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts – Seoul Metropolitan Government
the Sejong Cultural Society home page
17,864 Sejong Culture Center Stock Videos, Footage, & 4K Video Clips – Getty Images
45 years in, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is as current as ever (joins.com)
Musical producer points out merits, problems of Korean market (joins.com)
Sejong Center – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Visit Seoul – Sejong Center for the Performing Arts | The Official Travel Guide to Seoul
- en.sejong.ac.kr7. sos.sejong.ac.kr8. sejong.ac.kr9. kccla.org10. tripadvisor.com11. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com12. sjcf.or.kr13. english.visitseoul.net14. ili.sejong.ac.kr15. ili.sejong.ac.kr16. ili.sejong.ac.kr
the other major cultural centers are according to Bing AI chat bot
Seoul: There are two Korean cultural centers in Seoul.
The first one is the Korean Cultural Center Seoul (한국문화원 서울), located at 194, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The nearest subway stop is Kapyeong Station (Line 6), Exit 2. The phone number is 02-2071-9000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
The second one is the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관), located at 137, Sobbing-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The nearest subway stop is Icon Station (Line 4), Exit 2. The phone number is 02-2077-9000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Busan: There is one Korean cultural center in Busan.
It is the Busan Museum of Art (부산시립미술관), located at 58, APEC-ro, Haneda-gu, Busan. The nearest subway stop is BEXCO Station (Line 2), Exit 5. The phone number is 051-744-2602. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Daegu: There is a Korean cultural center in Daegu.
It is the Daegu Art Museum (대구시립미술관), located at 374, Sadako-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu. The nearest subway stop is Daeok Station (Line 2), Exit 2. The phone number is 053-790-3000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Gwangju: There is one Korean cultural center in Gwangju.
It is the Gwangju Museum of Art (광주시립미술관), located at 52, Haze-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju. The nearest subway stop is Germanna 4-ga Station (Line 1), Exit 1. The phone number is 062-613-7100. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Daejeon: There is one Korean cultural center in Daejeon.
It is the Daejeon Museum of Art (대전시립미술관), located at 396, Manny eon-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon. The nearest subway stop is Government Complex Daejeon Station (Line 1), Exit 3. The phone number is 042-270-1500. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Ulsan: There is one Korean cultural center in Ulsan.
It is the Ulsan Museum (울산박물관), located at 45, Ulsan Dahak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan. The nearest subway stop is Ulsan University Station (Line 1), Exit 1. The phone number is 052-226-2200. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Jeju: There is one Korean cultural center in Jeju.
It is the Jeju National Museum (제주국립박물관), located at 19, Eluding-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do. The nearest bus stop is Jeju National Museum (Bus 100, 502, 820). The phone number is 064-720-8000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Other concert venues
Seoul
- Olympic Hall: Located in Songpa-gu, Seoul, Olympic Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Olympic Park subway station (Line 5) and can be reached by taking Exit 3. For more information, you can visit their website at olympicpark.co.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Jamsil Arena: Jamsil Arena is another popular concert venue located in Songpa-gu, Seoul. It is located near the Sports Complex subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 6. For more information, you can visit their website at jamsilarena.co.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Seoul Arts Center: Located in Seocho-gu, Seoul, the Seoul Arts Center is a large complex that includes several performance halls. The center is located near the Nambu Bus Terminal subway station (Line 3) and can be reached by taking Exit 5. For more information, you can visit their website at sac.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Seoul
- Blue Square: Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Blue Square is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Hangangjin subway station (Line 6) and can be reached by taking Exit 2. For more information, you can visit their website at bluesquare.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Yes24 Live Hall: Located in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Yes24 Live Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Konkuk University subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 6. For more information, you can visit their website at yes24livehall.com. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- MUV Hall: Located in Mapo-gu, Seoul, MUV Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Hongik University subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 9. For more information, you can visit their website at muvhall.com. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Gyeonggi
- Ansan Arts Center: Located in Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Ansan Arts Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Ansan subway station (Line 4) and can be reached by taking Exit 1. For more information, you can visit their website at ansanart.com. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Pyeongtaek Cultural Center: Located in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, Pyeongtaek Cultural Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Pyeongtaek subway station (Line 1) and can be reached by taking Exit 1. For more information, you can visit their website at ptcc.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Incheon
- Incheon Culture & Arts Center: Located in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, Incheon Culture & Arts Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Incheon City Hall subway station (Line 1) and can be reached by taking Exit 3. For more information, you can visit their website at icac.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Incheon Grand Park: Located in Namdong-gu, Incheon, Incheon Grand Park is a popular venue for outdoor concerts and other events. It is located near the Jemulpo-gu Office subway station (Incheon Line 1) and can be reached by taking Exit 2. For more information, you can visit their website at grandpark.incheon.go.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event
Busan
- Busan Cultural Center: Located in Busanjin-gu, Busan, the Busan Cultural Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Buam subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 1. For more information, you can visit their website at bcco.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Busan Cinema Center: Located in Centum City, Busan, the Busan Cinema Center is a unique venue that includes a large outdoor screen as well as several indoor theaters. It is located near the Centum City subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 12. For more information, you can visit their website at biff.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
- Here is a list of concert venues in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon with their location, contact information, and web links: