Abstract
This is the first book on Korean opera in a language other than Korean. Its subject is ch'angguk, a form of musical theater that has developed over the last hundred years from the older narrative singing tradition ofp'ansori. The book examines the history and current practice of ch'angguk as an ongoing attempt to invent a traditional Korean opera form to compare with those of neighboring China and Japan. The book addresses a growing interest within the fields of ethnomusicology and Asian studies in the adaptation of traditional arts to conditions in the modern world. Ch'angguk presents an intriguing case in that it remains in a marginal position relative to recognized traditional art forms such as South Korea's “Important Intangible Cultural Properties” after more than a century. Performers, writers, directors, and historians have looked for ways to make the genre more traditional, including looking outside Korea for comparisons with traditional theater forms in other countries and for recognition of ch'angguk as a national art form by international audiences. The book begins with a detailed description of a typical performance, illustrated with photographs and musical examples, followed by a history of the genre—from its still disputed origins in the early twentieth century through a major revival under Japanese colonial rule and the flourishing of an all-female version (yosongkukkuk) after Liberation to the efforts of the National Changgeuk Company and others to establish ch'angguk as Korean traditional opera. The book concludes with analyses of the stories and music of ch'angguk and a personal view on developing a Korean national theater form for international audiences.
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