Despite pouring rain and flood-stage rivers, last night Layden and I headed to Seoul for a wonderful show at the National Center for Korean Tradtional Performing Arts. We saw a production called
Hwang Jini. It is the story of a famous
kisaeng (sort of like a geisha in Japan) who lived in the 16th century. Here is part of a write-up about the production we saw:
"Hwang Jini was one of the most famous "gisaeng," or female entertainers, and a renowned poet.
Hwang went by her gisaeng name Myeongwol, which means "bright moon." Known for her beauty, wit and intelligence, she was a talented poet but only a handful of her poetry remains today. Her personal life, which involved romances and friendships with some of the most powerful men of her day, has inspired many TV dramas, plays and films. The traditional show is based on folk songs that were popular in the Gyeonggi, Hwanghae and Pyeongan provinces. The operetta encompasses the entire spectrum of Joseon culture, including court and literary music, folk music and dance, Buddhist dance, traditional plays, poems and calligraphy. The story deals with the romantic relationships between Hwang and the men around her and also her pursuit for true freedom. After the death of a young man who secretly loved her, Hwang realizes the futility of life and sets forth for a new life free from restraints and ties to social hierarchy.
The operetta consists of 13 poems ― including Hwang's works ― that are recreated as songs. Some 60 performers will take part in the show directed by Kim Hyo-kyeong and written by Kim Yong-beom. Actress Choi Su-jeong will play Hwang. The show uses not only Korean traditional instruments but also Western stringed instruments, keyboards, gongs and wind chimes."
The performers were really amazing. Many of the songs were in a style called
pansori which is a very traditional way to sing. It involves using a lot of vibrato. We wish we had a recording of the pieces we heard, which were really quite good. However, I did find a link to a video of a pansori performance done at the same theater which will give a fair idea of traditional music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xn4E-90MA0
There was a great scene with a big traditional Korean drum, a lot like this one. Afterwards, we found one of these in the lobby and got to play it. Resonant!
Here is a translation of a poem by Hwang Jini that was used in the show:
Oh, clear stream in the blue mountains,
Do not boast of your swift flowing away.
Once you have reached the wide ocean,
You are not able to come back again.
When the mountains are full of moonlight,
Why don't you stay and rest here?
