EUN SUN KIM: A JOURNEY INTO LOHENGRIN
A San Francisco Opera / Lumahai Productions film
”A winning portrait… An absorbing and insightful documentary about the company’s music director and what it takes to put on such a production. If you were there for Lohengrin, you’ll get to relive the production here. If you weren’t there, you’ll wish you had been.” - San Francisco Chronicle
“Perfect for newcomers, veteran fans, and everybody in between. A fascinating, insightful, illuminating documentary about the company’s music director, as well as its soloists, chorus, orchestra musicians, crew, and staff — and how all of their work melds into the most complex and majestic of performing arts.” - San Francisco Classical Voice
View trailer here
BROADCASTS: KQED 9 on Friday, November 1 at 8pm &
Wednesday, January 1 at 9:30pm
KQED PLUS on Sunday, December 1 at 1:30pm
Go behind the scenes at San Francisco Opera as a musical Everest is readied for the stage. With Music Director Eun Sun Kim at the helm, the many layers of Wagner’s epic work come together last October, offering a rare glimpse into the complex process of staging a monumental opera. “A dizzying medley of hectic preparations, great effort, collaboration, and jubilation,” said San Francisco Classical Voice.
The powerful cast featured singers very familiar with their roles (tenor Simon O’Neill and bass Kristinn Sigmundsson) and others who - along with Kim - tackled the opera for the first time (soprano Julie Adams, mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi, and baritone Brian Mulligan). While singers share frank thoughts on the challenges of daunting roles, orchestra members describe their “Vulcan mind meld” and large-scale rehearsals reveal the military-level precision and impressive artistry from hundreds of artists, company, and crew.
Directed by Elena Park, this illuminating film chronicles the collective pursuit of something transcendent.
~ Running time: 57:37 PBS / 59:24 full credits
~ Optional English and Korean subtitles
~ Released October 2024, debut screening hosted by Mrs. Dagmar Dolby at Dolby Theatre, San Francisco.
To arrange for broadcast or screenings, please contact Elena Park at elena@lumahaiproductions.com.
Lohengrin rehearsal featuring tenor Simon O’Neill and Soprano Julie Adams with the San Francisco Opera Company (Courtesy SFO/Lumahai)
San Francisco Chronicle (October 9, 2024)
PRINCIPAL FILM CREDITS
Director & Executive Producer: Elena Park
Executive Producer: Matthew Shilvock
Producer: Nicole Potter
Editor: Steven E. Mallorca
Cinematographer: Mitchell Kell
Music Audio Engineer: Uwe Willenbacher
Post-Production Mixing: Bob Huott & Gintas Norvila
Post-Production Audio Supervisor: Oded Lev-Ari
Livestream Camera Director: Frank Zamacona
FEATURING
Eun Sun Kim
San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Chorus, Crew & Company staff
Cast members Julie Adams, Judit Kutasi, Simon O’Neill, Brian Mulligan, Kristinn Sigmundsson
San Francisco Opera Orchestra members Shinji Eshima, Rufus Olivier, Kevin Rivard, Gabriel Young
San Francisco Opera staff members Darin Burnett, John Churchwell, John Keene, Matthew Piatt
This film is made possible by a generous gift from Choongja and Stephen Kahng.