[Sports Seoul | Reporter Pyo Kwon-hyang] Soprano Sumi Jo, 63—often called “the voice given by God”—reflected on a 40-year career that has captivated audiences around the globe. Her exceptional coloratura technique, crystalline tone, and unwavering commitment to the art of singing have sustained her status as one of classical music’s reigning figures.
At a press conference on the 6th at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam marking the 40th anniversary of her international debut, Jo said the key to staying at the top is “sincerity.”
Jo made her international debut in 1986 at the Teatro Verdi in Italy and has since graced the world’s foremost stages—La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and the Salzburg Festival. She has pushed opera’s boundaries by embracing classical crossover, jazz, and popular music, forging a distinctive repertoire that blends genres.
Above all, Jo is admired not just for her technique but for her genuine nature. “Sincerity resonates,” she said. “Long ago, I had some disappointing experiences as an Asian artist in Europe and the United States. But I believed in kindness, honesty, and sincerity, worked hard, and still try to live by those principles.”
Jo never limited herself to the stereotype of an “opera diva.” Many aspiring singers have performed for her hoping for a single word of guidance. Rather than judging, Jo says she views them as through a mirror of the heart—a compassionate stance that informs how she coaches.
At a 2007 masterclass in Japan, she worked with a promising soprano, Yuka Oonishi, who sang “Volta la terra” from Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera. To the audience, Oonishi’s performance seemed flawless, yet Jo detected subtle issues—details in staccato phrasing, for example—and demonstrated refined corrections as she coached closely. The broadcast of that lesson moved many listeners and became a touchstone for thoughtful vocal mentorship.
Jo says she can identify a singer’s core strengths and weaknesses within two minutes and ten seconds. “You can tell how much they’ve practiced and the mindset they bring to a performance,” she said. “Watching young singers reaffirms my own commitment to living with grace.”
In addition to the 40th-anniversary album CONTINUUM, Jo plans to maintain close ties with the next generation through international competitions and masterclasses. “As a cultural ambassador, I will keep studying and seek out music with depth,” she said. “I want to help young singers grow not only as performers but as global messengers of peace—people who pair talent with a grounded worldview, a distinct artistic identity, confidence, and integrity.”
Jo launches a nationwide tour on the 9th at Changwon’s Seongsan Art Center and will visit more than 20 cities across Korea—including Seoul, Daegu, Gwangju, and Busan—through December. gioia@sportsseoul.com
