Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera Viva la mamma! will make its Busan premiere on September 11 at Geumbitnuri Hall at the Geumjeong Cultural Center.
Presented and produced by the Lucete Institute for Music Theatre, the opera will be performed twice, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The production is supported by Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Cultural Foundation, with both Korean and English subtitles available.
Originally titled Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali, the opera takes audiences behind the scenes of an opera company struggling to prepare for opening night. The prima donna wants more arias, singers compete for better roles and the composer, librettist, conductor and theater manager clash over the production.
The situation becomes increasingly chaotic when Mamma Agata arrives and attempts to turn her daughter Luigia into the star of the show, interfering with everything from casting to rehearsals.
German stage director Rahel Thiel directs the Busan production, with Lee Dong-shin conducting the United Korean Orchestra. Baek Hyun-ju of the Lucete Institute for Music Theatre serves as artistic director.
The Korean cast includes soprano Koo Min-young as the Prima Donna and baritone Lee Tae-young as Mamma Agata, a comic female role traditionally performed by a male singer. Han Jung-hyun appears as the Maestro, Ryu Ki-hoon as Procolo, Lee Myung-in as the Tenor, Kim Jun-yeob as the Librettist, Lee Ki-baek as the Theatre Manager and Lee Eun-bi as Luigia.
Kim Min-jun, Song Seung-hyun, Jeon Ui-chan, Oh Chang-seok, Lee Hyun-jun and Jung Tae-ha complete the cast as members of the opera chorus.
At approximately 70 minutes, Viva la mamma! offers a shorter and more comedic introduction to opera, combining Donizetti’s bel canto music with a satire of artistic rivalries, ambition and backstage life.
Both performances will be sung in Italian with Korean and English subtitles.
Tickets are available through NOL Ticket.
Ticket Information
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Venue: Geumbitnuri Hall, Geumjeong Cultural Center, Busan
Running time: Approximately 70 minutes
Language: Sung in Italian with Korean and English surtitles
SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR FOREIGN PASSPORT HOLDERS
Foreign passport holders can receive up to 40% off the regular ticket price.
R seats: KRW 50,000 → KRW 30,000
S seats: KRW 40,000 → KRW 24,000
A seats: KRW 30,000 → KRW 18,000
To receive the discount, please reserve your seats in advance through Instagram DM, phone, or KakaoTalk. Payment can be made by card or cash at the box office on the day of the performance. A foreign passport may be requested when collecting the tickets.
Reservation assistance is available in English, German, and Italian.
Instagram: @lucetemusic
Mobile: 010-4585-2052
KakaoTalk:
• erouny — Baek, Hyun-ju (English)
• koelnwiesbaden — Stella An (German and English)
