The National Opera of Korea, having the longest history and prominent vocalists, has performed over 80 productions regularly, some of which were first staged in Korea and most of which were grand operas.
Since it was organized in 1962, the National Opera of Korea has promoted home opera through systematic programs introduced below. It imported a repertory system of its birthplace and tried to produce two works of opera at a time. It has helped home music circles to create operas suitable for Korean usage and sense of life. In addition, it has held various opera festivals for young music fans and potential audience.
So far The National Opera of Korea has tried to seek out opera creations, which are based on the traditional ones, and to make them reach a standard. We can name a few recommendable ones; Chun-hyang-jeon, A life of chun-hyang and Saint Won-hyo of Chang Il-nam, Non-gae of Hong Yeon-taek, Cheo-yong of Lee Yeong-jo, A Wedding Day of Kong Seok-jin, and Jewelry and Women of Park Yeong-geun.
Adopting the open audition system, The National Opera of Korea has scouted for promising vocalists. It has done its best to be the great opera band worthy of the name. Prof. Lee In-beom, Hong Jin-pyo, O Hyeon-myong, Park Seong-won have served as the leaders, and now Park Su-gil, art director, make efforts to promote the artistic quality of it.
At the time of organization, the National Opera of Korea affiliated itself with the National Theater of Korea. Now, greeting the new millennium, it restarts as an independent foundation, which acts on its own responsibility.


The Korea National Ballet Company   http://www.kballet.org/

Established in 1962, Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC) has led the ballet world of Korea. Formerly known as the National Ballet Company, KNBC was one of the affiliates of the National Theater of Korea (NTK) until 1999, when it separated from NTK and independently reestablished itself in Seoul Arts Center in 2000. Today it is positioned to move into primetime. Presently, it is composed of 65 in-house dancers, who are selected every year through an open audition. KNBC annually stages about 80 performances, drawing upon the 30 productions in its repertoire.
Since its inception, KNBC has been led by four artistic directors: first, Sung-nam Lim, from 1962 to 1992; second, Hae-sik Kim, from 1993 to 1995; third, Tae-ji Choi, from 1993 to 2001; and fourth, Geung-soo Kim, since 2002. Under these directors it has introduced ballet productions of diverse genre, from timeless classics to contemporary original ballet works, which have helped enrich the cultural life of audiences.
KNBC has recently made ballet more popular by expanding new-concept public programs. The Ballet with Commentary is one of the public-friendly examples. At the same time, teaming up with world-famous choreographers like Jean-Christophe Maillot and Yuri Grigorovich, the company has upgraded its managerial and performance standards. It now showcases the star ballet artists of Korea.
As for international activity, many in-house dancers have won prestigious international awards for outstanding performances while the company has traveled abroad, including a road tour in Egypt and Israel in 1997, China in 2000 and 2001, and Japan in 2002. And this Russian visit is the first time for the company in its history. These activities have been a prime mover for the company to advance onto the worldwide stage.
KNBC Ballet Academy fosters young talent through intensive early education. Its adult programs meet the needs of those with special interests in ballet. The Coterie Club, on KNBC Website, has more than two thousand cyber members who promote KNBC activities.


The National Chorus of Korea   http://chorus.joyclassic.com/

Since its start in May 1973, The National Chorus of Korea has done its most to render professionalism and artistic quality to home choral music. It is the first to open the age of professional choral music, and has been at the head of choral music movement. So far it has had more than 70 performances including 4 regular performances, 2 concert tours, a performance in concert with The National Opera of Korea and special concerts every year.
Various music pieces ranging from the Renaissance to our own day and sacred music as well are in its repertory. Dealing with all sorts of choral music, it gave choral music movement a certain artistic quality. Many of vocalists who were once its members act in the leading parts or as soloists in the opera circles. This is just one of the important achievements equal to its success at the stage of The National Opera of Korea where it once presented harmonious and touching performances.
It is remarkable that it has contributed to the promotion of choral music creation through various activities such as holding festivals for development of home choral music and for choral music creations of the undergraduates. Since 1977 it has held the "Undergraduate Choral Music Festival" where over 150 choral music creations has been introduced.
Hoping to form the characters of our own music, The National Chorus of Korea has layed experimentally a series of opera creations in the style of music play in which choral music, dance and acting are mixed one another. It requested composers to compose cantatas, and held "Prize Contest for Cantata" in order to stimulate them to create more cantatas.
Youngbiachunga, a cantata creation performed in Oct. 1995, was meaningful in every respect. The performance in remembrance of the 50th Independence Day of Korea attracted public attention. It was founded on , the first poem of Korea, dealing with great ambition of the Korean people. And it tried to mix Korean traditional music expressed in sijo(three-stanza Korean ode) or pansori(solo opera drama) with Western music and computer-aided sound effects.
Prof. Na Young-su who served as the 1st and 3rd leader and permanent conductor raised the artistic level of the National Chorus. O Se-jong, the 4th leader and art director, has tried for the continuous development of it in corporation with its members since 1993.


Korean Symphony Orchestra   http://www.koreansymphony.com/

The Korean Symphony Orchestra, which has been growing into an orchestra of Korean people, is making another start under an exclusive contract with the Seoul Arts Center as it celebrates its 17th anniversary.