Sumi Jo

Sumi Jo, OSI (조수미), born on November 22, 1962, in Changwon, South Korea, is a distinguished lyric coloratura soprano celebrated for her Grammy-winning performances in the bel canto tradition. Her passion for music was ignited by her mother, an amateur singer and pianist who, despite facing obstacles in her own musical ambitions during Korea's political upheaval in the 1950s, ensured that Jo received extensive musical training from an early age. Beginning piano lessons at the age of four and voice lessons by six, Jo dedicated herself to music, often practicing for up to eight hours daily.

Jo graduated from the prestigious Sun Hwa Arts School in 1980 with dual diplomas in voice and piano, later excelling at Seoul National University (SNU) where she made her professional recital debut and her operatic debut as Susanna in *The Marriage of Figaro*. In 1983, she pursued further studies at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome, where she adopted the stage name "Sumi" for greater accessibility in Europe. Graduating in 1985, she won numerous international competitions and gained recognition for her artistry.

Her European operatic debut as Gilda in Verdi's *Rigoletto* in 1986 caught the eye of maestro Herbert von Karajan, leading to a significant role in *Un ballo in maschera* at the Salzburg Festival. Jo's career includes notable performances at La Scala and the Bavarian State Opera, and she continues to be a prominent figure in the world of classical music.