The Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra will present Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, regarded as one of the largest-scale works in Western music history, to mark its 60th anniversary. All seats sold out immediately after ticketing opened, confirming keen public interest in the concert.
 [코리안투데이] Poster for the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra’s 60th anniversary commemorative concert © 장형임 기자 |
The Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra will hold its 446th regular concert, ‘IPO 60th Anniversary Concert – IPO, Mahler Project Ⅲ,’ at 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 at the Concert Hall of Arts Center Incheon. Admission is 10,000 won for all seats, and every seat sold out immediately after ticketing began.
Founded in 1966, the Incheon Philharmonic laid its foundations under the late principal conductors Kim Jung-seok and Lim Won-sik. In 1994, together with artistic director Keum No-sang, it expanded to a full quadruple-wind formation of international scale. Since then, leading conductors of Korea’s classical scene—including Chen Zhuohuang, Keum Nan-se, Chung Chi-yong, and Lee Byung-wook—have served as artistic director and principal conductor, establishing the orchestra as an ensemble reaching beyond the region to the wider world. After artistic director Choi Su-yeol joined in 2025, the orchestra has continued its bold endeavors, including a challenge to perform Mahler’s complete symphonic cycle.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, to be performed at this concert, is a monumental work boasting the largest scale in Western music history. A five-wind orchestra, eight soloists, and a large chorus together create a multidimensional and richly varied sound. The piece, which Mahler himself called ‘my greatest work,’ sings of cosmic joy and the redemption of humanity beyond inner human anguish. It resonates with the aspiration of the Incheon Philharmonic, which is looking back on the past 60 years while preparing to leap toward a broader world.
The performance will be conducted by artistic director Choi Su-yeol. Eight soloists active on stages at home and abroad will take part: soprano Seo Sun-young, soprano Choi Ji-eun, soprano Hwang Su-mi, mezzo-soprano Kim Jung-mi, mezzo-soprano Bang Shin-je, tenor Lee Beom-ju, baritone Yang Jun-mo, and bass Choi Woong-jo. Joining them on stage will be the Incheon City Chorus, the Suwon City Chorus, the Noi Opera Chorus, and the Incheon Metropolitan Boys and Girls Choir, with some 300 performers presenting majestic harmonies.
The 60th anniversary journey will continue beyond this concert. This winter, a ‘2026 Year-End Concert’ to close out the year and a commemorative exhibition offering an at-a-glance look back over the 60-year history are being prepared, promising abundant attractions for citizens and classical music lovers alike. The low admission barrier of 10,000 won for all seats is meaningful in that it allows any citizen to enjoy the achievements of a municipal arts organization up close.
The concert is open to audiences of elementary-school age and older (those born in 2019 or earlier, inclusive). Tickets can be purchased at the Incheon Culture & Arts Center, Arts Center Incheon, N-ticket, and NOL Ticket. The concert is hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan City and organized by the Incheon Culture & Arts Center and the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra. For performance inquiries, contact the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra (032-420-2781); for ticket inquiries, contact N-ticket (1588-2341).
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 인천강화코리안브랜드대상 신청 최고경영인대상 신청 소비자만족도대상 신청
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