A feast of beautiful melodies that enriched the end of 2022
Scenes from the 60th Crimson Masters Concert

With the year-end atmosphere in full swing, Korea University held the 60th Crimson Masters Concert on Tuesday, December 27 in the Inchon Memorial Hall of Korea University auditorium.

Korea University holds Crimson Masters concerts three to four times a year to express its gratitude to its sponsors. In addition to inviting sponsors, school members are also invited to participate.

This concert was led by conductor Lee Kyu-seo with performances from soprano Lim Seon-hye, who won the German Critics Award in 2021 and was nominated for the Critics Award in 2020, and bass-baritone Gil Byeong-min, whose talent was recognized by being selected to appear on JTBC's Phantom Singer 3 and by winning all of the leading international vocal competitions in which he has participated. In addition, the orchestra ensemble Seoul enriched the stage.

The concert started with a performance by the orchestra ensemble Seoul under the direction of conductor Lee. “Widmung Op. 25-1” from Myrthen by Robert Schumann was first performed, followed by the “Interlude” from Puccini's opera, Manon Lescaut, and the “Waltz of the Flowers Op.71” from Tchaikovsky's ballet suite, The Nutcracker. The different instruments presented colorful harmonies with each other, pleasing both the eyes and ears. The first part of the concert ended with conductor Lee's delightful commentary and Brahms's “Hungarian Dance No. 2,” which further heightened the festive atmosphere.

After an intermission of about 15 minutes, soprano Lim Seon-hye and bass-baritone Gil Byeong-min continued the festival. Starting with “Let Me Weep” from Handel’s opera Rinaldo, Lim Seon-hye delivered an aria with a lyrical and sorrowful melody in her beautiful soprano voice. Gil Byung-Min performed the serenades “Parlami d’amore Mariù” and stole the hearts of the audience. The audience was then mesmerized by their duet of “All I Ask of You” from the musical, The Phantom of the Opera, that was characterized by a fantastic soprano and bass baritone harmony. The concert ended with Christmas carols performed by the orchestra ensemble under the direction of Lee Gyu-seo.

After every performance, the audience shouted “bravo” with warm applause, heating up the venue. The 60th Crimson Masters Concert, which truly resembled the scene of a festival, splendidly decorated the end of 2022.