Korean P'ansori Singing Tradition

In 2003, the Korean singing tradition of pansori joined the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a distinctive honor bestowed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Pansori is a music genrean oral tradition comprising arias and narratives. Often the individual singer acts out the story of young and old, good and bad, and male and female. In Korean Pansori Singing Tradition: Development, Authenticity, and Performance History, Yeonok Jang studies the periodical developments and changes in the performance context, vocal developments, singing style, audience involvement, contemporary performance, cinematic history, and private and government sponsorship of pansori. Covering the period from the early development of pansori, including the origins and early formation of the genre, to contemporary performance, Jang surveys this remarkable genre of storytelling, song, theater, and performance. Throughout, she considers not only issues of historical context but also questions of cultural identity, past and present. Researchers in the fields of Korean studies, folk music, oral history, ethnic music, narrative and theatrical music, and cultural studies will find this work of significant value.