?y Kim Deok-hyun
Staff Reporter

SEOUL Many lovers of classical music say it enriches their lives, however not everyone has access to it. As you are aware, the annals of classics seemed to be filled with extravagances or vanity for high society and it never became a regular part of people? lives.

However, Korean soprano coloratura Sumi Jo hopes to share her singing and music with ordinary people around the world, regardless of their social status or wealth. A critic commented that it was Sumi Jo who put the term ?rossover music into the lexicon of the Korean public.

? always wanted to let anyone be able to feel and enjoy my music, she said. ?ven though it represents quite a departure from my usual work, the classics.

After her signing an exclusive three-year contract with the Erato Record Co., a leading French record label, she released a crossover album titled ?nly Love, which contains some of Broadway? hit songs.

In fact, Herbert von Karajan, who was an Austrian maestro in the 20th century, said Sumi Jo? voice was ?ent from above, and her first attempt toward crossover music was not an easy decision for an opera soprano to make.

? don? understand why critics are concerned about my musical endeavors, she said. ?t? not about the matter of criticism it? about prejudice.

Actually, in the first stage, she found that her well-intended attempt was tilted heavily towards an unexpected direction, leading to speculation that Sumi Jo was likely headed for popular music.

Although there have been a number of crossover albums from classical to popular music by opera stars, most of them failed to attract consumers attention. But, Sumi Jo? album became a half million seller in the country. Now, even those who don? know much about Western classical music, can easily remember the name of soprano Sumi Jo.

Sumi Jo said in a laconic statement, ? am an opera singer and nothing will change that. She has continued to explore a wide range of music from Western classical arias to traditional Korean songs.

? have always put my mind into thinking about the creative opportunities for improving my musical inspiration and intuition, she said.

When referring to her album, she said, ?eedless to say, it represents quite a departure from my usual work with the classics. I always wanted to let you see this side of my music, art and life. ? have an energy and an enthusiasm to go on with my singing.

Sumi Jo held a concert at the Concert Hall of Seoul Art Center, southern Seoul, on Nov. 7, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS). She met with The Korea Times for an exclusive interview, immediately after the full-dress rehearsal for the performance.

Wearing a deep purple, three-piece suit, she spoke modestly, with her polite demeanor and confidence.

Whenever she visits Korea, most press has reported on her successful life and formidable musical achievements. In addition, a recent survey showed that she was chosen as one of the living figures who Korean college students wish to resemble most, along with Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung and Major League baseball player Park Chan-ho.

? have never allowed a tiny fault in the territory of my musical performance, and I think it is a crucial factor to my success, she said. ?ailure or frustration never crossed my mind, echoing a book? phrase that self-esteem is feeling worthy and being able to meet life? challenges.

? also believe that all your answers lie inside of you, she said. She is famous for her professionalism around the world.

Where do her feelings of self-esteem or confidence stem from? Her Korean assistant, who accompanied her during the interview, hinted that she always exercised five or six hours a day, regardless of her performance schedule.

?umi Jo is the best coloratura singer of Mozart? rigorous music and her singing technique is beyond criticism, read a recent review in Opera News, one of the world? most prestigious classical music magazines.

Hailed as the best soprano coloratura of the 21st century, Sumi Jo continues to explore new musical territory by attempting different genres from classical arias to hits from Broadway musicals.

In her crossover album, Sumi Jo presents G. Rossini? ?a Promessa, C. Gounod? ?erenade, L. Bernstein? ?ream With Me and C. Smalls ?elieve in Yourself from the musical ?he Wiz. Also included is F. N. Wildhorn? ?nce Upon a Dream from the musical ?ekyll and Hyde.

This is her second visit to Seoul this year after the inaugural show at the LG Art Center a multipurpose performance theater in March.

The first part of the concert featured her alone, in which she sang William Tell Overture (Rossini), Caro Nome in Rigoletto (Verdi), Die Fledermaus (J. Strauss), Doll Song from Les Contes d?offmann (Offenbach) and two traditional Korean songs.

In the second half of the show, she sang ?ll I Ask of You (?he Phantom of the Opera) and ?onight (?est Side Story), along with Jo Sung-mo, a 23-year-old Korean pop star.

Born in Seoul in 1962, Sumi Jo learned to play the piano and singing from her music teacher, Yu Byung-moo, at Sun Hwa Senior High School for Artists. As a sophomore in 1983 at the Music College of Seoul National University, she decided to study abroad in Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome majoring in keyboard and vocal music.

She made her debut at the New York? Metropolitan Opera House in 1984, taking the role of Servilia in Mozart? ?a Clemenza di Tito.

She swept many awards at various international musical competitions she entered, including Zonta (Italy, 1985), Enna (Italy, 1985), Vinas (Spain, 1986), Verona (Italy, 1986), eventually she obtained her first main role as Gilda in Verdi? opera, ?igoletto.

In 1988, she was approached by Herbert von Karajan, who invited her to play Oscar in Un Ballo in maschera and to record a video called ?arajan in Salzburg.

Sumi Jo has also performed all of the great coloratura roles such as Queen of the Night, Luci, Zerbinetta, Fiorilla and Amina at the world? major opera houses under such maestro conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, Alfred Kraus and Lorin Maazel.

Her musical genius is recognized by critics and the media throughout the world.

Critic Christopher Lawrence said Sumi Jo is the finest coloratura soprano since Dame Joan, with the same flawless technique and free-wheeling ease in the vocal stratosphere.

Another critic exclaimed that ?hrill to her trills; luxuriate in her legato; it? a mellifluous voice but she can scale those top notes with breathtaking facility, to and with no trace of brittleness.

Reviewing her recital in Paris in January, 1996, the leading French paper Le Monde said, ?ven fairies listened to her songs. She reportedly had six encores during the concert.

Sumi Jo who is praised as having possessed ? voice that can be found only once in a century was named the ?est soprano of the year six times in 1993. This year, Sumi Jo has undertaken a recital tour throughout Australia and the countries of the Far East.

In her spare time, she reads poetry. ?eading books is the most interesting thing I do besides singing, she said. Moreover, she published her autobiography which was based on her personal diary over 15 years. Since she left for Italy, she has kept a diary.

Her patriotism is so unique. In her concerts, Sumi Jo has always worn gowns designed by Andre Kim a world renowned Korean fashion designer. Despite living in foreign countries, she likes Korean food and never forgets her Korean identity.