The tale recounts the love between Yi Mongnyong, the son of an 18th century nobleman, and Chunhyang, the daughter of a humble family.

Dating back to the reign of King Sokjong (1674-1720), it describes how Yi falls in love with the charming Chunhyang. Their love, however, was not accepted by Yi's noble family and the feudal society.

Yi has to leave Chunhyang when his family moves to another place, but promises that he will come back to marry her.

Byon Hatoo, another old nobleman, desires Chunhyang for her beauty and tries to force her to be his concubine. Chunhyang resolutely refuses, so he imprisons her.

The story ends happily with the two lovers getting married.

"Chunhyangjon" was made into an opera in 1950 by Hyun Che-myung and became the first opera ever created in the ROK. The version touring Beijing was first performed by the Beseto Opera Company in Seoul in 1999.

Kang Wha-jia, one of the most renowned Korean mezzo-sopranos, directs the opera and also sings the part of Wolmae, Chunhyang's mother. Kang founded the Beseto Opera Company in 1996 to promote cultural exchange between China, Japan and the ROK.

According to Kang, "Beseto" is a combination of the capitals of these three countries - Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo.

A graduate of Sookmyung Women's University and having furthered her vocal training at the Manhattan School of Music, Kang is an active performer in Europe and the United States.

"When I was a little girl, my ambition was to become a writer since I was good at writing. But one of my secondary-school teachers said I had a good voice and suggested that I should give up writing for singing. That's how I started my career of opera," Kang recalled.

She has a varied repertoire including "Carmen," "Aida" and "La Traviata."

Besides her work with the Beseto Opera Company, Kang also works as professor in the vocal department of Sookmyung.

"I like to train students and see them become opera stars. And now directing a company is another way to train young singers, providing them with more experience," she said.

In the past few years, besides "Chunhyangjon," Kang has directed several acclaimed productions such as "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Die Fledermaus." "This time we chose 'Chunhyangjon' because it is a timeless piece that will be told for generations," said Kang.

"The story expresses love, humour, power and justice, so it certainly appeals to the world audience," Kang said.

Following the company's initial goal of advocating cultural communication, the production stars some local artists when it is performed in different countries. Last month, an all-Japanese cast and the company co-operated to stage the opera in Tokyo.

The Beijing tour will feature some Chinese artists, including tenor Jin Yongzhe as Yi, soprano Chen Bei as Chunhyang's maid, baritone Song Yi as Yi's father and a choir with 20 members from the Central University of Nationalities.

On Friday evening the Chinese artists will perform together with their Korean colleagues while the all-Korean cast will perform on Saturday.

"Jin is a wonderful tenor and since he is of Korean descent, he sings the Korean lyrics better than just correctly," said Kang.

Kang first met Jin last year when she wanted to find a Chinese tenor to sing the role of Yi in the Beseto Drama Festival in Seoul. The China National Opera Theatre recommended Jin and Kang was immediately impressed by his voice in an audition.

As for Chen and Song, Kang settled on them last month when she visited Beijing.

Coincidentally, during her visit, the Second China International Vocal Competition was going on in Beijing. Through Kim Tahyun, one of her former students who later won second prize in the competition, she got to know Chen and considered her suitable to perform the role of Chunhyang's maid.

"She is beautiful and has a good voice," Kang said of Chen.

Song is a vocal teacher in the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

"Though he told me it is only his second role in a full-length opera, I really appreciate his voice and acting," Kang said.

Sopranos Lee Jung-aae and Shim Joo-ryun who will each play Chunhyang on separate nights are both popular in the ROK and abroad.

"It is difficult for me to tell who is better. Lee sounds more lyrical while Shim is a brilliant dramatic soprano," Kang said.

(China Daily November 26, 2002)