If you consider booking opera singer Mi-kyung Kim to brighten your event or your ceremony, for instance for a wedding ceremony in Paris or elsewhere, or even if you plan to hire another classical opera singer, you will find here some useful practical information. These are general guidelines, so feel free to contact us if you have any question or if you need more details.
Please note that, even for mixed or non religious ceremonies, the spiritual dimension remains important for Mi-kyung. Beyond the artistic performance, she fully joins her prayers to these unique moments. Her best wishes for a long and happy life always extend to the couples that she assists as well as to their families and friends.
Number of songs
The number of songs for a wedding ceremony is usually 3 to 4. In case of a religious service the officiant might wish to keep room for a few traditional hymns in order to let the guests participate with their own singing. Each solo song lasts for a few minutes that add up to the total ceremony time. The right balance is usually found between the happy couple and the officiant. If there is no time constraint it is possible to go up to 5 to 6 songs for the same fee.
Choice of arias
For the choice of arias in terms of wedding ceremony music, the Ave Marias are usually a safe bet. You can choose between Gounod, Schubert or Caccini. Very classical and beautiful too are Cesar Franck's Panis angelicus or Mozart's Laudate Dominum (cf. Barbara Bonney).
On the gospel side the Gospel of Grace medley is wonderful, but it requires live piano accompaniment. The more classical version of Amazing Grace is also very suitable for a wedding ceremony even when sung cappella (cf. Sumi Jo). Also very beautiful is this version of The Lord Prayer of Albert H. Malotte.
Mi-kyung can also sing praise hymns in Korean such as this moving version of the Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd) or this interesting Korean Allelujah.
And beyond Christian wedding ceremony music many other options are available for such a joyful moment: jazz standards, Broadway musicals or even your favorite pop music song can be considered. For instance Mi-kyung regularly performs Over the rainbow from The Wizard of Oz, Ennio Morricone's Nella fantasia, Gershwin's Summertime from Porgy and Bess, Tonight from West Side Story, Louis Armstrong's What a wonderful world, Fly me to the moon, Edith Piaf's Hymne à l'amour (Hymn to Love), Josh Groban's You raise me up, Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah or Ed Sheeran's Perfect.
Accompaniment
For a solo singer, the question of accompaniment must always be anticipated to ensure the best possible performance in the unique settings of the ceremony. There are several options that can optionally be mixed:
- Mi-kyung brings a fellow professional pianist to accompany her. This is the best solution from an artistic point of view but it requires that the location is equipped with a piano (or an organ), or that the ceremony organizer takes care of renting one for the occasion. It also requires an additional fee for the accompanist.
- Mi-kyung is accompanied by the church organist, providing there is one where the ceremony is held and he/she has the ability to do so. In this case the organist's performance is to be arranged directly between him/her and the ceremony organizer. A proper on-site rehearsal a few hours or the day before the ceremony with both singer and organist is necessary.
- Mi-kyung sings with backing tracks. This requires a sound system able to play external CD or mp3 tracks with a good sound quality in the ceremony settings. This is usually suitable for a program composed of no more than 5 songs. Mi-kyung takes care of recording the backing tracks beforehand with her pianist. But in case she does not have them already for the chosen songs, she needs to be informed early enough to organize a recording session.
- Mi-kyung sings a cappella. It remains magnificent but lacks a little something musically speaking. This is a simple option to put in place. It might be interesting in a place with good acoustics such as an ancient church with nice reverb.
Other practical information
From our experience it is best not having songs performed by the soloist during the crowd's movements. In this case people either pay attention to the song and not not move where they are supposed to, or pay no attention to the performance which is frustrating for everyone. Please note also that in case of a religious ceremony, Mi-kyung can not replace the officiant and does not lead the regular assembly's singing.
Performance fee
Please refer to page Book Mi-kyung.
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