London: Renowned South Korean soprano Sumi Jo has expressed her aspiration to "share the love" she has received through music as she commemorates the 40th anniversary of her stage debut. "How did 40 years pass like this? People say life is but a midsummer night's dream," the 63-year-old reflected in an interview with Yonhap News Agency ahead of her anniversary concert, "Mad for Love," scheduled to be held at London's Cadogan Hall on Thursday. "Reading my diaries from those years, I realize I truly lived with all my heart."
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Grammy-winning artist remarked that the concert program encapsulates her artistic journey, encompassing baroque repertoire, opera arias, and Korean art songs. She has invited young American baritone Edward Nelson as a guest performer, demonstrating her commitment to supporting emerging talent.
Jo's illustrious career began with her role as Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto" at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Italy, in 1986, and has since seen her perform in leading opera houses worldwide. Her connection with Britain dates back to her high school days, when her father explored opportunities for her future debut at the Royal Opera House. This laid the groundwork for Jo to become the first Asian prima donna to grace the world's five major opera stages before turning 30.
Reflecting on her early challenges, Jo recalled, "At that time, people didn't even know where Korea was. Entering the European opera scene as an Asian singer was not easy. Since the art form carries so much of Europe's own history and culture, appearance mattered a lot." Despite these hurdles, Jo emerged as a trailblazer, becoming the first Korean to win a Grammy Award and the first Asian recipient of Italy's Golden Goose Award for top sopranos.
Jo's remarkable accomplishments include being the first non-Italian to win the Puccini Award and receiving France's Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, the nation's highest cultural honor, for her contributions to French art. She attributes her success to a blend of talent, discipline, and influential mentors like Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan, who discovered her in her early 20s and dubbed her "the voice from God."
"I owe everything to him," Jo shared. "He treated me like family, and I was with him until the day before he passed away. I want to give back the love I've received."
Driven by her passion for nurturing the next generation, Jo established the Sumi Jo International Singing Competition in 2024. The biennial event, now in its second edition, aims to provide young Asian singers with international exposure. "Competitions saved me during my student days," said the soprano, who studied in Italy. "That's why I set the prize money quite high -- 80,000 euros in total. But it's not only about prizes. We offer performance opportunities that can open doors. Music should change people and society, and I think that's our role as artists."
When asked for advice to young musicians, Jo offered a straightforward response: "Focus on one thing. There are no shortcuts in art. You grow stronger only by overcoming difficulties."