Celebrating a Century of Korean Connections to La Scala
In March 1928, Na Hye-suk visited the iconic La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy, where she experienced an unforgettable performance that left her feeling 'infinitely happy.' Fast forward to January 1935, tenor Lee In-sun attended the premiere of Mascagni's opera 'Nerone,' conducted by the composer himself, and described being 'silently moved and intoxicated' by the experience.
Na Hye-suk, who embarked on a world tour in June 1927, arrived in Milan the following year, where she marveled at the Duomo Cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece 'The Last Supper' before attending an opera at La Scala. Despite its unassuming exterior, the theater is renowned for hosting world-class opera and ballet performances. Na Hye-suk noted the exceptional quality of the stage design, costumes, acting, singing, and music, stating, 'I saw things I had never seen in Paris or Berlin. Sitting there, I was infinitely happy.' Unfortunately, she did not specify which performance she attended, but her profound joy was evident.
La Scala is celebrated as a premier venue for Italian opera, having hosted the premieres of masterpieces by Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, and Puccini. A century ago, both artist Na Hye-suk and tenor Lee In-sun left records of their experiences at this prestigious venue.
Lee In-sun, the first Korean vocalist to study in Milan, attended the premiere of 'Nerone' on January 16, 1935. He recalled the theater being packed by 7:30 PM for a 9 PM show, and he was deeply moved by the grandeur of the stage and orchestra. His review highlighted the impressive performance of the orchestra and the unforgettable chorus of over 100 voices, culminating in a rapturous applause for Mascagni.
Lee In-sun, who graduated from Severance Medical School, pursued his dream of opera despite initially practicing medicine. He was inspired to study in Milan by the renowned tenor Tito Schipa, whom he admired and had the opportunity to see perform in 'Werther.'
In contrast, Lee Soon-tak, another Korean intellectual who traveled the world in 1933, arrived in Milan in late June, only to find that the opera house was closed for the season. He expressed his disappointment at missing the opportunity to see a performance, noting the theater's global reputation despite its modest exterior.
Recently, conductor Chung Myung-whun was appointed as the music director of La Scala, following in the footsteps of Riccardo Chailly. Chung has a long history with the theater, having made his debut there in 1989 and conducted numerous operas and concerts since. His appointment marks a significant milestone for Korean representation in the world of opera, echoing the historical connections established by Na Hye-suk and Lee In-sun a century ago.
