Asian sopranos Seia Lee (Japan) and Yuri Park (South Korea) join forces as The Graces for a groundbreaking debut performance in Singapore this week at the Capitol Theatre. Accompanied by South Korean tenor Wan Park, the classical singers will present a one-night-only concert that blends classical artistry with jazz, popular tunes, and live big band music, marking a bold departure from the traditional orchestral format. Presented by the Hustle & Bustle Group, this concert marks the start of their global tour and promises a dazzling mix of music, dance, immersive digital visuals, and fresh interpretations of timeless songs like “Bésame Mucho,” “All I Ask of You,” and “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Beyond the spectacle, The Graces represents a new wave of women-led innovation in the classical music world, offering audiences an accessible, contemporary entry point into the genre. Seia Lee, whose personal journey took her to a full-fledged music career after the 2011 tsunami, bringing a rich emotional depth to this project. Paired with Yuri Park’s technically masterful and deeply expressive voice, The Graces symbolises cultural fusion and artistic reinvention. For fans of classical crossover and modern performance, this debut promises to be an unforgettable evening, with a social impact component through ticket sponsorships for charitable organisations.

We share an exclusive email interview with Seia Lee, where she opens up about the inspiration behind The Graces, her collaboration with Yuri Park, and her vision for the classical music scene, alongside what audiences can expect when they take their seats for this singular concert event. Read the interview in full below:

Bakchormeeboy: Could we talk about the name The Graces and its origin? How does it feel to be making your
professional debut as a duo this May, and how is it a big step forward from what you have done prior?

Seia Lee: The Graces was inspired by the Greek goddesses of Aglaea, Euphrosyne and Thalia who symbolised grace, beauty, festivity, dance and song. It also reflects our shared passion for creating something elegant but bold. We want this concert to be more than a performance: we want it to feel like a dream. It brings together the timeless beauty of classical music with the vibrant energy of jazz, musical theatre, and film music.

Our upcoming concert at Capitol Theatre holds a very special place in my heart. This is my first time performing as The Graces with the amazing soprano Yuri Park, and also my first time performing with Singapore’s Summertimes Big Band.

Meeting Yuri in Korea made this collaboration possible, and I’m so grateful. I’ve always admired Yuri’s expressive artistry and her ability to infuse new life into every piece that she performs. Her voice transforms the notes into a moving story, and it truly resonates with me. We want to share our musical passion and innovation with our audience, who will get to appreciate classical traditions along with modern elements.

This show is very different from anything I’ve done before. Instead of a traditional orchestra, we are working with this 18-piece big band. We’ll have immersive visuals on an LED backdrop and lighting effects to make the stage truly come alive. I’ve also been training in some dance moves just for this concert! It’s a new challenge for me, and I’m giving it my best every day with my dance coach. This is the beginning of my world tour, starting in Singapore, then moving on to Japan, Korea and Buenos Aires. I hope it will be the start of a new kind of performance — something exciting and fresh.

Bakchormeeboy: Could we talk about the setlist and how you came up with it? Are they favourite songs you
like to perform, or songs to show off your vocals?

Seia: For this concert, we wanted to do something no soprano concert has done before. We really wanted to break the mold and try something completely new. Instead of performing a full programme of classical opera, we each sing just one operatic aria. The rest of the repertoire includes jazz, musical theatre, and film music which are familiar melodies that we reinterpret with extraordinary vocal technique. Yuri, for example, sings dazzling high notes while dancing, a level of difficulty that very few singers in the world could even attempt.

Normally in classical performances, there are a lot of older audiences. Many of my audiences are younger and enjoying a classical performance for the first time at my concert. Not many of them would not know the songs in classical performances. Musical pieces from Disney are pieces that people not familiar with classical music can enjoy.

I did a show in Tokyo where I sang in an operatic way, but the songs were jazz songs. Many people in the music industry were surprised that jazz and opera could meet like this. We wanted to surprise the audience in the best way possible, with something that is bold and thrilling.

Bakchormeeboy: What are the joys and limitations to performing as a female duo – especially when it comes to
perspectives in the classical music scene? Is there a rivalry with each other?

Seia:I take great joy in creating something truly original and meaningful. This concert brings together two sopranos with different vocal colours, each offering her own unique charm and expression. Performing as a female duo in the classical world feels both empowering and necessary, especially since it has mainly been delivered by Western male perspectives. So, coming together as two Asian women feels like reclaiming space and redefining what a soprano performance can be.

Looking ahead, I’m dreaming of a “Three Sopranos” concert next year — featuring talents from Japan, China, and Korea. A celebration of Asian voices in harmony. There’s absolutely no sense of rivalry between us. As the producer of these performances, my passion lies in curating an inspiring and elegant experience for both the artists, Yuri and Wan, and the audience.

Bakchormeeboy: As stage partners, how do you two support each other both on and off stage?

Seia: Yuri and I are strikingly similar — not only in appearance, but also in personality. We’re always laughing when we’re together, which makes working as a duo so much fun. She’s an exceptional high soprano with incredible technique, and I’ve learned so much from her. Offstage we support each other emotionally too. With her rich experience, she’s taught me a great deal—from how to prepare mentally before a performance to how to carry myself backstage with grace and focus.

Bakchormeeboy: How do you feel about the classical music scene at present – is it going to be a challenge for
The Graces? How far do you plan to go, especially with establishing both of you as a must-watch act wherever you go?

Seia: This show in Singapore marks my very first self-produced international concert, and it has been a long journey from concept to realisation. I’m truly grateful to have met Michael Lee, the Founder and CEO of Hustle & Bustle Group, whose support made this wonderful collaboration possible. Together with his team, we’ve created a fresh and inspiring format (think LED design backdrop, which is completely New Age as opposed to the classical stage). I’ll be performing musical, theatre, jazz, film music, and opera arias — all through classical vocal technique. I’m excited to share a sound that only classically trained singers can deliver, crossing genres while maintaining vocal integrity.

Bakchormeeboy: Growing up in Japan, what was it like being trained vocally? Was it something your parents encouraged, or something you wanted for yourself? When did it go from hobby to career choice, and why?

Seia: I’ve been surrounded by music all my life. My mother is an opera singer, and my father is an architect, so music and art were always around me. I started playing the piano when I was about three years old, and I really enjoyed it. I also sang in a choir, but I never imagined I would be a solo singer.

When I was a teenager, I heard Renata Tibaldi’s version of Addio del Passato from Verdi’s La Traviata, and I went like “Wow!” That moment stayed with me. I thought, “I want to sing like that one day.” Around that time, I was also modelling, and my mother didn’t think I had the discipline to pursue opera seriously. She told me, “I don’t think you can be an opera singer. Classical music requires discipline.” But I wanted to try.

So, we found a piano teacher who was my mother’s classmate, and I began preparing for music university. After graduation, I explored other paths and even started a concierge business for VVIP clients who travelled by private jet. It was interesting and niche, and I enjoyed it for a time. But after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan about 15 years ago, something inside me changed. Watching the news, I felt how precious and short life is. That day, I decided I didn’t want to waste time, I wanted to live my passion. I flew to London to study singing more seriously, and after returning to Japan, I dedicated myself fully to music.

Bakchormeeboy: What kind of impression do you hope this debut leaves on audiences, and what is a message
you have to current fans, and soon-to-be fans?

Seia: I hope The Graces will be a concert that surprises people in the best way. I want the audience to feel excited, moved, and inspired. My wish is for everyone who comes to leave with joy in their hearts and memories they will hold on to for a long time.

This concert is special because it brings together different kinds of music: classical, jazz, musical theatre, and film music. It’s not something people usually expect from sopranos. But I believe there is a certain magic when these different styles come together. It creates something fresh and emotional, something that connects deeply with people.

Technically, the show also blends classical and popular singing styles. I hope this can also become a new cultural moment where audiences dress up and enjoy something elegant but fun. I want to open people’s eyes and minds and show them a new kind of performance. As a woman and a mother, I also want this concert to give back. I hope to open seats for people who may not usually have access, like single mothers or women who may not have the economic access to this, so they can enjoy and feel inspired by our performance too. That is part of my mission. And to my fans, both old and new, thank you! I hope this performance will touch you, and that we can continue this journey together.

The Graces plays for one night only on 29th May 2025 at Capitol Theatre. Tickets available from SISTIC