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Benefit Concert for the Bolshoi Theater

A special concert was held at the Korean National University of Arts located on the premises of the Seoul Arts Center on May 26 for the benefit of Russia's famed Bolshoi Theater. Some of Korea's most popular singers and performing arts groups, including tenor Choi Seung-won, soprano Shin Ji-wha, and baritone Choi Hyun-soo, as well as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Ballet Company of Korea, and the National Chorus of Korea, performed at the benefit concert, entitled "Friends of the Bolshoi", to help raise funds for the theater.

The Bolshoi Theater was founded as a private theater in 1776 before becoming a state institution under Czarina Catherine II. The Bolshoi, which has produced many world-famous and distinguished musicians, composers, conductors, producers, ballerinas, and stage designers, has been a Mecca of the performing arts. The theater was twice destroyed by fire, in 1805 and 1853, but both times was reconstructed to emerge from the ashes more beautiful than before, and for this reason the theater is well deserving of its sobriquet "The Phoenix" -the symbol of immortality.

The Bolshoi Theater, a genuine cultural treasure with a history of some 224 years, has started to show its age and is in urgent need of repair, with cracking walls, a leaky basement, and a weakening foundation. A thorough inspection of the theater was conducted by a committee specially formed for this purpose, which resulted in the Russian government? decision to begin repairs and build a new theater right beside the existing one. Construction began in 1995, but has recently been delayed due to a lack of funds. At present, construction of the new building is complete, and though installation of technical equipment and the fitting of the interior began in October 1999, the work continues to be delayed as the necessary $200 million budget has not yet been secured.

In 1993, UNESCO agreed to support the Russian project, entering into a three-party agreement with the Russian government and the Bolshoi Theater. In 1999, UNESCO publicized the plight of the Bolshoi Theater around the world and initiated an international fund-raising campaign. It has also played an advisory role in the overseas finances of the theater and in policy issues related to the reconstruction project. For the operation of the fund-raising campaign, a standing committee was formed consisting of members of UNESCO, the Russian government, the Moscow city council, the Bolshoi? board of directors, managers of prominent opera houses around the world, and leading figures from international cultural and art circles.

When news about the Bolshoi became known in Korea, Korea Foundation president Lee In-ho played a leading role in organizing the benefit concert. As former Korean ambassador to Moscow, Lee understands the plight of the Bolshoi better than most. Together with Kim Moon-hwan, head of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, as well as leading figures from the country's classical music circles, she formed a promotional committee for staging the "Friends of the Bolshoi" concert. In response to critics who questioned whether Korea needed to participate in efforts to save an arts theater in a foreign country, Lee answered it was Korea? responsibility as a member of the international community to participate in such efforts, and that helping to preserve the world? cultural treasures was a way to contribute to world peace-something surely in Korea's interest.

With the enthusiastic support of Choi Jong-yul, president of the Seoul Arts Center and member of the promotional committee, the concert was originally to be held at the center's Opera House. But due to an earlier-than-expected visit to Korea by the Pyongyang Student Arts Troupe, in advance of the presidential summit between North and South Korea, the concert was moved to the Korean National University of the Arts. Nonetheless, the concert was a sell-out success as individual patrons and corporate sponsors came forward in eager support.

Earlier this year, UNESCO designated March 28?he anniversary of the Bolshoi's founding-as a day when theaters, movie houses, and concert halls around the world should donate a share of their proceeds to support the Bolshoi. Through such efforts, it is expected that the Bolshoi will once again be reborn thanks to the support of arts lovers around the world in a manner befitting its name "The Phoenix".


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