A 10-Day Extravaganza Celebrating Traditional Korean Music and Global Harmony

Jeonju International Sori Festival

In an enchanting celebration of Korea's rich musical heritage, the Jeonju International Sori Festival is set to mesmerize audiences with 105 soul-stirring performances of pansori. From September 15 to 24, this grand festival will grace Jeonju Hanok Village and span across 14 cities in North Jeolla Province, delivering a unique program of world-class performances that promise an unparalleled experience.

During a recent press conference held in Seoul, Lee Wang-jun, a member of the festival's organizing committee, expressed the desire to curate an extraordinary lineup of acts that cannot be found elsewhere. As Korean culture continues to gain global recognition, from the phenomenal success of K-pop to the international acclaim of K-movies and K-classics, Lee emphasized the importance of introducing Korea's "sori" (sound) to the world. In the Korean language, "sori" also denotes the art of singing in pansori.

Under the theme of "coexistence and recovery," this year's festival will commence on September 15 with an opening ceremony featuring the awe-inspiring Jeonju Symphony Orchestra, the masterful gayageum player Moon Yang-sook, and the talented pansori singers Ko Yeong-yeol, Kim Yul-hee, baritone Kim Gi-hoon, and soprano Seo Sun-young.

A highlight of the festival is the special program titled "Five Pansori Stages," which will showcase complete pansori performances by seasoned master singers, with an average age of 82. Among these venerable artists, Cho Sang-hyun, at 86 years old, stands as the oldest. The performances, ranging from three to eight hours in duration, will feature renowned singers Kim Il-gu, Kim Su-yeon, Jeong Sun-im, Shin Young-hee, and Cho, presenting "Jeokbyeokga," "Sugungga," "Heungbuga," "Chunhyangga," and "Simcheongga" respectively, from September 19 to 23.

Set against the backdrop of the centuries-old Dongheon courtyard in Jeonju Hanok Village, which was meticulously reconstructed 130 years ago, these exquisite pansori renditions will be limited to an intimate audience of 100. For those unable to attend in person, the performances will be livestreamed on YouTube, ensuring the universal reach of this transcendent musical experience.

Additionally, the festival aims to highlight the emergence of a new generation of pansori singers, who are fearlessly pushing the boundaries of this traditional art form. In this spirit, the program will feature a creative pansori performance entitled "The Old Man and the Sea" by singer Lee Ja-ran, a captivating rendition of "Othello and Iago" by the talented talchum team, the Greatest Masque, and innovative interpretations by the musical band ADG7.

Blending the melodies of pansori with Western classical music, the festival will present a remarkable collaboration between Kang Kwon-soon and harpsichord player Lee Min-joo. In a mesmerizing finale, celebrated cellist Mischa Maisky, cellist-conductor Chang Han-na, and the remarkable Ditto Orchestra will also grace the stage together.

Bringing together performers from 13 countries, including Australia and Canada, the Jeonju International Sori Festival will transcend borders and showcase diverse traditional sounds from around the world. This harmonious convergence of cultures promises an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

As the 10-day festival draws to a close, audiences will be treated to a captivating collaborative performance by the genre-bending singer Lee Hee-moon and the esteemed band Obangsin, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who partake in this extraordinary celebration of music and cultural exchange.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com