‘Youngest Arts Center President’ Hanna Chang Cancels European Performances Ahead of Her Inauguration

‘Hanna Chang,’ who will head the ‘Seoul Arts Center,’ orders a full cancellation of ‘European performances’

‘Seoul Arts Center’ appointed world-renowned ‘conductor’ ‘Hanna Chang’ has made a major decision. Before the start of her official tenure, she has canceled the ‘European performances’ schedules set for May and June, signaling a firm resolve to focus on running the institution.

Explained directly via SNS: her apology and message to the orchestras

‘Hanna Chang’ announced her official position on the 17th through her personal social networking service (SNS). “I will begin my term as president of the ‘Seoul Arts Center’ at the end of April in Seoul,” she said, adding, “As a result, I will unfortunately be unable to proceed with the eight performances that were planned in places such as Italy, Paris, and Hamburg.”

She continued, “Along with congratulations on the new start, I sincerely thank the ‘La Toscanini’, ‘RAI National Symphony Orchestra’, ‘Paris Orchestra’, and ‘Hamburg Symphony’ for their understanding of the sudden cancellation, and for their generous consideration,” delivering a formal note of apology and thanks to major orchestras worldwide.

Key canceled ‘European performances’ dates

• ‘La Toscanini’ (Italy): May 7–10

• ‘RAI National Symphony Orchestra’: May 21–22

• ‘Paris Orchestra’: May 27–28

• ‘Hamburg Symphony’: June 7

All eyes on whether the fall ‘joint performances’ will proceed

While the immediate schedule has been canceled, it is still unclear whether major performances will take place in the fall. Regarding a joint performance with the ‘Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’ scheduled for September, as well as the December ‘KBS Symphony Orchestra’ performance, she has not yet issued specific statements, keeping the classical music world focused on her next steps.

A bold move by the youngest—an unprecedented female music-industry leader appointed president

On the 6th, ‘Hanna Chang’ was appointed as the ‘youngest’ and the first female leader from the music profession since the establishment of the ‘Seoul Arts Center’, drawing a strong response across the culture and arts community. She will receive her official appointment letter on the 24th and begin a three-year term. Attention is focused on what kind of innovation her first steps—shifting from an artist to an administrator—will bring to Korea’s culture and arts scene.