National Theater’s Year-End Pansori Celebrates 40 Years of ‘Wanchang Pansori’
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
The National Theater of Korea will hold its annual year-end Pansori gala, “Songnyeon Pansori,” on Dec. 19–20 at the Dalloreum Theater to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its signature series, “Wanchang Pansori” (full-length pansori performance). Since 1984, Wanchang Pansori has presented whole pansori works to let audiences fully experience the aesthetic depth and vocal mastery of masters; over 40 years it has featured 100 lead singers, becoming a living archive of style, pedagogy and performance history. This year’s program brings together 11 renowned masters (including six national and five provincial intangible cultural heritage holders) and four accompanists (gosu). Past hosts will also appear. Performances on the 19th and 20th feature famous pieces such as Sugungga, Jeokbyeokga, Simcheongga and Chunhyangga, performed by noted singers and accompanied by leading drummers. The production uses digital preservation and presentation tools: a hologram will recreate the voice of Jeokbyeokga master Song Sun-seop, and archival footage of past performers will be screened to honor four decades of dedication to preserving pansori.
