The ensemble, led by conductor Vincent Dumestre, will open the Hanwha Classic 2026 tour at Changwon 3.15 Art Center on Nov. 22, followed by a performance at Geoje Arts Center on Nov. 24 and Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 26, Hanwha said Monday.
The expansion to South Gyeongsang Province marks the first time in the event's 14-year history that Hanwha Classic will stage performances in Changwon and Geoje, where some of the group's major business operations are based.
Founded in 1998, Le Poème Harmonique specializes in Baroque and early music, combining secular and sacred repertoire with elements of theater and dance. Dumestre has received France's Order of Arts and Letters at the Officer rank and the National Order of Merit at the Knight rank for his contribution to the arts.
This year's program, titled "Music of the Sun King," will focus on court music from the reign of France's Louis XIV in the 17th century. The ensemble will also use period instruments including the theorbo and lirone to recreate the sound of the French court.
Hanwha Classic was launched in 2013 with a performance by German conductor Helmuth Rilling and has since invited leading early-music figures and ensembles, including William Christie, Marc Minkowski and Jordi Savall.
"We are pleased to bring world-class Baroque music to audiences in South Gyeongsang Province through Hanwha Classic, which has continued for 14 years," a Hanwha official said.
Tickets are priced at 50,000 won ($37) for all seats and are available through the Seoul Arts Center website and NOL Ticket.
AJP Takeaways
- Le Poème Harmonique will make its Korea debut at Hanwha Classic 2026 with concerts in Changwon, Geoje and Seoul.
- The ensemble will perform 17th-century French Baroque music under conductor Vincent Dumestre.
- The series marks 140 years of Korea-France diplomatic ties and expands to South Gyeongsang Province for the first time.
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