Operatic miracle: How former baritone from Korea found global success as lead tenor

Korean tenor Baek Seok-jong says his career has been defined more by failure than success, reflecting on a musical journey that ultimately led him to the world's most prestigious opera houses. Now, he is set to make his first full-length opera appearance in Korea as Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot," presented by the Seoul Arts Center from July 22-26. "Failure has far outweighed success in my life," Baek said in a written interview with the Hankook Ilbo. Looking ahead to his long-awaited domestic opera debut, he added, "Hardship has been a greater blessing than comfort." Baek built his international reputation by turning understudy opportunities into career-defining performances. In 2022, he was cast as the cover for Samson in Saint-Saens' "Samson et Dalila" at the Royal Opera House in London, before making his principal debut in the role. Soon afterward, he stepped in for renowned German tenor Jonas Kaufmann as the lead in Mascagni 's "Cavalleria Rusticana," earning widespread acclaim. The following year, he sang leading roles in Verdi's "Nabucco" and "Turandot" at the Metropolitan Opera iWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times