Beethoven Musical Finds Universal Meaning in Struggle Against Fate
Creatrip Team
a month ago
The Korean-produced musical Beethoven, written by German lyricist Michael Kunze and composer Sylvester Levay, opened its revival at Seoul’s Sejong Center to strong box-office success, filling 2,830 seats with double-cast stars Hong Kwang-ho and Park Hyo-shin. Kunze (83) says the show reframes Beethoven not as a tragic victim but as an artist who confronts fate—his abusive childhood and deafness—and ultimately discovers his true voice. The revival reduces romantic subplots to emphasize Beethoven’s inner battle, integrating original Beethoven melodies (e.g., Moonlight Sonata, “Eroica”, and “Fate” Symphony) into modern musical arrangements so the classical themes come alive through singers’ voices. Kunze praises Korean audiences’ openness to experimentation and Korean musical actors’ vocal range and technique, arguing Seoul was the right place for the world premiere in 2023 and the show’s continued development. He hopes the work—like his other musicals that explore becoming one’s true self—will inspire Korean creators to draw on their histories for new musical theater. Performances run through August 11; tickets 80,000–180,000 KRW.
