(National Theater of Korea)

One of the most vocally challenging traditional Korean pansori performances is receiving a cutting-edge, contemporary makeover in the National Theater of Korea’s upcoming production of “Song of the Red Cliff.”

Being referred to as a new evolution of changguek (Korean opera), the performance is slated as the opener of the state-run theater’s 2015-2016 season and will be held for five days starting Sept. 15.

“Song of the Red Cliff,” or Jeokbyekga, is one of the five surviving stories of traditional pansori lore. The particular story is a retelling of the Battle of the Red Cliffs, the final battle fought at the end of China’s Han Dynasty. Because of its strong, masculine and dramatic war-torn premise, it is widely considered to be the most vocally challenging of the five pansori stories, with high-soaring octaves.

The performance is being directed by former Korean National Opera director Lee So-young, who has made a reputation for herself for her elaborate and unconventionally story-telling methods in western classical opera.

Lee So-young, former director of the Korea National Opera (Yonhap)

“It is nerve-wracking to take on such a famous story, a story we have all known since we were kids ... but I was drawn to it because I feel it is one of the most dramatic pansori tales,” said Lee, at a news conference in Seoul on Monday. She has not only taken on the task of stage directing, but has also written the script for the entire production.

“The show will be exemplified by the vocals. With so many high notes, this particular pansori story is not an easy task to conquer for most singers,” she continued. “But I wanted to take the original lyrics and have this traditional story be retranslated and revised in terms of it being a tale of heroics and unsung heroes, focusing mainly on the importance of the sounds and music.”

Lee’s revamped stage production will star actors Song Soon-sub, Huh Jong-yeol, Lee Gwang-bok, Kim Joon-su, Choi Yong-suk and Kim Geum-mi.

The live show will include subtitles in both Korean and English.

“Song of the Red Cliff” will be staged at the National Theatre of Korea from Sept. 15 to 19 at the Haeoreum Theater. Ticket prices range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, visit www.ntok.go.kr or call 02-2280-4114.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)