The musical, which premiered in Vienna in 1992, is considered one of the most successful German-language musicals in recent history. It has been translated into seven foreign languages, and attracted more than 9 million viewers worldwide. It celebrates its 20th year anniversary this year, and is being staged in Korea for the first time.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria, whose real life story became the basis of this musical, was the spouse of Franz Joseph I, the Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary.
She was admired by the public for her beauty and supreme fashion sense, and was famous for her rigorous daily beauty routines.
The free-spirited empress was also known for keeping her slender figure by exercising and fasting. Even at age 61, her waist measured only 18 to 19 inches.
The empress is said to have suffered through the relationship with her overbearing, strict mother-in-law Archduchess Sophie. She lost her son to suicide, and was murdered by an anarchist in Geneva, Switzerland in 1898.
Ok Ju-hyun, who plays the leading role as the repressed empress, in fact made a short trip to Vienna in November of last year to learn more about the iconic Austrian woman. One of the most memorable moments of the trip was when she sang one of her numbers at the Schonbrunn Palace.
“I felt some strange energy within my body (while I was singing),” Ok told reporters during a press meeting in Seoul, Tuesday.
“I wanted to console this woman and her loneliness.”
The role of the Death character, who falls in love with the empress at first sight and constantly asks her to follow his path, is shared by actor Song Chang-ui and JYJ member Kim Jun-su. Song has appeared in a total of four musicals including “200 Pounds Beauty” and “Gwanghwamun Sonata,” while Kim starred in last year’s blockbuster musical “Tears of Heaven.”
On playing the role, Song shared his own interpretation on the 19th century notion of romantic death.
“I interpreted this Death character as the atmosphere of the particular era in which this musical takes place,” Song told reporters.
“That atmosphere takes the form of a human being in this musical. He’s sometimes sexy, sometimes poignant, and sometimes explosive. The concept of death was considered very differently at the time from how we view it now in Korea. It was something that freed people from agony and struggles, something hopeful that people thought would lead them to complete freedom.”
“Elisabeth” runs at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall in Seoul from Feb. 9 to May 13. For tickets and information, call (02) 6391-6333 or visit http://www.musicalelisabeth.com
Credit: Claire Lee (dyc@heraldm.com) of The Korea Herald
Shared by: JYJ3
Oh two ppl are playing death ? Hope Junsu can fare well
why is that there are two deaths in the story??/?
young death and old death
heheheh…:)
yeah.. junsu at the Young death…
the reason why there are two deaths i guess is because the other one is an understudy…
@eimar
I believe it is because the two trade off singing the role at different performances. Junsu is not playing the role alone throughout the run. His dates are interspersed with Song Chang Ui’s.
Eh? They forgot to list Mozart!
Junsu’s ‘Death’ pic is the best. That’s charisma, baby!
“Kim starred in last year’s blockbuster musical “Tears of Heaven.””
LOVE THE SENTENCE! Fighting Junsu!
Yeah! Blockbuster!! 😀
2nd that!
if there r only 2 playing Death, does anybody know who’s the 3rd guy in e pic?
mte…i thought there were 3 ppl playin death originally? did one person drop out?
@intoxicatedbyxiahtic
@teslonyx
Looks like the writer made a mistake. There are 3 people playing Death in the musical. The writer of the article missed Ryu Jung Ha. According to the currently posted casting schedule these are the artists playing Death:
1. Ryu Jung Ha
2. Song Chang Eui
3. our Kim Junsu
Each week there are 8 PERFORMANCES of the musical. They shows will run Tuesday-Sunday. There are no shows on Monday.
Each artist will perform 2-3 shows per week.
Junsu is scheduled for 3 shows every week in February until he leaves for South America. He performs one show every Wednesday at 8pm and two shows every Sunday: an afternoon program 2pm and another show later Sunday evening at 7pm.
He leaves for SA the first two weeks in March and returns the third and continues with three performances per week till the end of March.
The other two artists will pick up Junsu’s shows while he is away. So they really will need all three performers, otherwise the schedule would be pretty grueling.
thanks for the clarifications…
Thank u, @friend! 🙂
yes that is what I am wondering,it was supposed to be 3 deaths
@A Friend of JYJ
friend I saw pattern u said.I am sorry,your action was right.I will be first one to speak in next time.That day long rant is not aimed at u,just feelings I had in long time came out. I am sorry.
Junsu makes one beautiful and sexy looking death!!!!! I love the picture so hot!!!!
Junsu is the sexiest Death *¬*
cant wait to February!!!!! >w<
junsu is more beautiful! :-Q__
I really like the character of death
Forgive my ignorance, but are there two girls playing the empress as well?
Yup!
I hope JUnsu Make a great Succsess in Elisabeth musical drama…………
and there is no kissing scene……….
I want to watching the Musical drama I hope there are some fancame…..