Soprano Singer Chon Wolson Is Set To Star In ‘The Last Queen’, Hopes Opera Will Bridge South Korea-Japan Relations
South Korean soprano singer Chon Wolson hopes to help bridge the ties between South Korea and Japan by way of an opera as she is set to star in an opera entitled, "The Last Queen," which will feature the life of Masako, a Crown Princess of Japan.
The Japan News noted on Monday that Princess Masako, a member of a Nashimoto Imperial family, married Prince Lee Eun who came from the Korean dynasty. Despite having a happy marriage, the couple encountered ordeals such as the death of their child and losing their citizenship after Japan's defeat during the World War II.
After the death of Prince Lee, Princess Masako "became an advocate for the physically and mentally handicapped; this led to her being called the "Omoni of South Korea," which means "Mother of South Korea, as reported by Yatta Tachi on the same day.
Chon, who is a second-generation South Korea national who lives in Japan, hopes "to help instill harmony" between South Korea and Japan.
"I've engaged in music with the hope of serving as a bridge between Japan and South Korea," says Chon.
"I want people to learn about Princess Masako, who desired harmony between the two countries, through this opera."
"The Last Queen" will start with Princess Masako (Chon) reading a newspaper and finding her engagement to Prince Lee Eun in a news report.
The soprano singer will sing "Kutsujoku ni Taete" (Enduring the disgrace) and "Mamoru no mo Watashi" (I will also defend).
"I thought the audience would be moved by my speaking to them through an opera [an art form in which] people's emotions are strongly expressed from the bottom of the heart," she says.
The orchestra will be led by NEAR Music Ensemble with Shun Tominaga in piano. "The Last Queen" will be performed at the Playhouse of the New National Theatre in Tokyo on September 27.
The production is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korean Cultural Institute of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Tokyo, Jeonju Isshi Daedong Imperial Family Association and the Jahaenghoe Association.