A WORLD PREMIERE
The first edition of the Sumi Jo International Singing Competition will take place in France from July 7 to 13, 2024 within the Château de la Ferté-Imbault, one of the most charming estates in the Loire Valley.
Fulfillment of a long-held dream of Miss Sumi Jo itself, which patiently developed it with the help of a team of recognized music professionals, the competition is designed as an international platform likely to showcase the talent of exceptional young artists from around the world and promote their careers globally.
YOUNG OPERA SINGERS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION
OPEN
TO ALL VOCAL CATEGORIES AND ALL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
HARMONY
&
CULTURE
The first competition to be organized at the Château de La Ferté-Imbault, where heritage mixes with elegance, is rooted in the experience and passion of Miss Jo over the past 36 years. It is expected that this event will play a major role in allowing young singers to access the world opera scene. Alternating competitions, auditions, masterclasses, recitals and gala concerts, the week will welcome international media and professionals as well as the public, for a special moment where harmony and nature meet History and Culture.
SUMI JO
Born in South Korea, Sumi Jo has established herself as one of the most accomplished sopranos of our time.
During the 36 years of an exceptionally rich and successful career, she was continually praised, both by the press and by spectators, for the remarkable musicality of her voice, her agility, her precision and the purity of her sound. She has performed in the most important operas and theaters around the world and is one of the best-selling classical artists in the history of music, with more than 50 recordings to her credit including several albums platinum award rewarding one million copies.
1989
SUMI JO DEBUT AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA IN NEW YORK IN THE ROLE OF GILDA (RIGOLETTO, VERDI).
MISS JO WINS THE GRAMMY AWARD FOR LEAD SOLOIST IN THE BEST OPERA RECORDING FOR “THE WOMAN WITHOUT A SHADOW” BY RICHARD STRAUSS.
SHE RECEIVED FROM MR MATSUURA, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNESCO, THE TITLE “UNESCO ARTIST OF PEACE”.
CELEBRATING HER 30 YEARS OF CAREER, SHE IS COMPLETING A CHINESE, AMERICAN, AUSTRALIAN AND EUROPEAN TOUR. THE SONG SHE PERFORMS IN SORRENTINO’S FILM “YOUTH” IS NOMINATED FOR A GOLDEN GLOBE AND AN ACADEMY AWARD.
2023
THE 15TH OF JULY, SUMI JO OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION BEARING HIS NAME.
MOMENTS
OF A
CAREER
Miss Jo first studied in her native country before joining the Conservatory of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, from which she graduated with honors in 1986. The many accolades she has received include the International Puccini award and first prize in the international competitions of Seoul, Enna, Barcelona, Naples and Verona. She was one of the favorite singers of Maestro Herbert von Karajan, named conductor of the Century in 1986, and of Sir Georg Solti for whom she recorded a Femme sans Ombre which won a Grammy Award and an unforgettable Queen of the Night in the Magic Flute.
We could hear Sumi Jo in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Gilda in Rigoletto, Olympia in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Oscar in Un Ballo in maschera. The audience at La Scala was able to admire him in Bel Canto roles such as Count Ory or Fra Diavolo. She was Gilda at the Conlon Theater in Buenos Aires, then Zerbinette and the Queen of the Night, a role which marked her debut at the Vienna State Opera. Many roles illustrate the full extent of her repertoire, such as La Fille du Régiment and Don Pasquale by Donizetti, Il Turco in Italia and Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra by Rossini, Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart, Ariadne auf Naxos and Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss, but also I Puritani by Bellini, Roméo et Juliette by Gounod which she performed in Rio de Janeiro, and Nixon in China at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris – the list is not exhaustive. In 2018, she shared the stage of the Royal Opera House in London with Anna Netrebko and Angela Georghiu in a concert that honored the memory of her dear colleague and friend Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
Not only has she toured the world numerous times, with tours and recitals in Russia, Korea, the USA, Japan, Australia, a series of galas with the China Philharmonic and many others , but Sumi Jo has also always wanted to share his art with large and varied audiences: tour in Asia with Andrea Boccelli, Christmas concert with Jose Carreras, Gala concert with Jonas Kaufmann, Renee Fleming and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as part of the Beijing Olympic Games, opening of the Asian Games in Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, Viennese favorites in Cincinatti and Broadway songs at Carnegie Hall. She was also twice invited to sing for Pope Francis, the first time at the Vatican and the second time during his official visit to Korea.
With more than 50 recordings, Sumi Jo’s discography is remarkably varied, from baroque repertoire to modern operas, from the album of Russian composer Igor Krutoy to Bel Canto recitals, from crossover albums to the 2016 Oscars and Golden Globe for the nomination of her Simple Song #3, from the film “Youth” by Sorrentino, in which she even plays her own role.
Miss Jo is Honorary Ambassador of South Korea, was elevated in 2019 to the rank of “Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia” by the Italian government and was elected “Artist of Peace” by UNESCO .
FESTIVAL
&
VOCATION
Winner of numerous first prizes at the start of her professional career, no one more than Sumi Jo is no longer aware of the irreplaceable impact that an international competition can have on a young career. Over the years, she has never forgotten to share her experience acquired with extraordinary mentors and has continually taught numerous masterclasses.
Driven by the desire that her journey and her passion can serve to inspire, support and reveal the talents of other artists, Mlle Jo creates with SUMI JO INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION a new type of festival closer to the public and the artists, based on three key values.
THREE VALUES
AMBITION
The purpose of Sumi Jo ISC is to become a showcase for vocal art at its highest level, offering young artists the opportunity to launch their careers internationally and the general public to share their beginnings. As a platform allowing participants to express the full spectrum of their talent within a competitive environment, while facilitating meetings with other artists, other audiences and recognized professionals, the festival creates a privileged moment constructive exchanges to help them achieve artistic excellence, while giving them international visibility.
Through different formats, auditions, concerts, masterclasses, the week aims to share musical culture in all its beauty and diversity, from all periods of composition, from all vocal categories, with the hope of inspiring both future singers that enthusiastic audiences.
TRANSMISSION
From established artists to the youngest, from one nationality to another or from participants to the public, transmission is one of the most important objectives of the festival.
As Miss Jo herself learned from her successive extraordinary mentors, the sharing of experience and passion, the support focused on others so that they progress and find their own voice are at the heart of any artistic journey, all like education and generosity.
The week opens a space and a moment conducive to cultural exchange between nationalities, between artists and the inhabitants of the Loire Valley who welcome them, while being designed to facilitate access to lyrical art and allow proximity to artists. Sumi Jo today wishes to pass on his experience and knowledge in order to help young talented singers achieve their dreams.
Named a UNESCO Artist of Peace, she champions diversity and inclusion in the world of opera and encourages singers of all backgrounds to join the SJISC.
EMOTION
The human voice is undoubtedly one of the most profoundly touching instruments and beyond the purely technical skills to create it, emotion remains the design of any vocal performance and the ultimate criterion of its excellence.
SJISC participants will benefit from an exceptionally romantic and privileged environment, since the festival will take place in the heart of the Loire Valley, in a fairytale estate. The large moat where swans and ducks swim, the gardens where we see roses and peacocks, the riverside park where we come across deer and sheep, create the ideal landscape in which to give and enjoy a performance.
The peaceful and protected setting, the serenity and the centuries of history are all assets for participants to relax, get inspired, concentrate on their art, find their own harmony and bring emotion to life in their singing.
SPONSORS
