고향 GOHYANG (HOMETOWN)
Since our founding in 2023, the Wisconsin Gagok Ensemble has been dedicated to the promotion and performance of Korean Art Song in Wisconsin and beyond. Visiting voice faculty and mezzo-soprano Jessica Schwefel, founded the ensemble alongside soprano Youngjoo Hong and pianist Susan Gaeddert, and they have been curating unique programs of music by 20th and 21st century Korean Art Song composers. We strive to make this art form more accessible for western audiences. We collaborate with other artists and performers to cultivate other aspects Korean and Korean American culture in our state and beyond.
Our performance this season is enhanced with tenor Nathan Lê and violinist Janet Lyu who are joining us for our new program entitled “Gohyang” (Hometown), which evokes themes of nostalgia, celebration, loss, and longing. We will be presenting this program as lecture-style so that our audience has a greater understanding of the historical and social context of this beautiful art form.
