SEOUL, South Korea -- The world-renowned New York Philharmonic has added another country to its list of international concert stops. On Tuesday, America's oldest orchestra played to a full house at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in North Korea. But the real star of the show, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was nowhere to be seen. There had been speculation that Kim, who is said to be a music aficionado, might show up at least during the intermission. The philharmonic's repertoire for the evening included Antonin Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and George Gershwin's "An American in Paris." The 105-member orchestra also played the North Korean and American national anthems.
Overtures to N. Korea: an American Orchestra and a New President in Seoul
