SMTD Voice & Opera students explore operatic repertoire and Korean art song in a master class with internationally acclaimed soprano Sumi Jo, followed by a brief Q&A.

Free and open to the public with generous support from the Jessye Norman Master Class Series. Also supported in part by the SeAH corporation, the U-M Arts Initiative, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the Nam Center for Korean Studies, and the Office of the President.

ABOUT THE GUEST ARTIST

Internationally celebrated as one of the greatest bel canto sopranos of her generation, SUMI JO has captivated audiences for four decades with a voice renowned for its radiant beauty, dazzling agility and expressive artistry. Since her professional debut in Italy in 1986, she has appeared at the world’s leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Teatro alla Scala and the Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden, as well as major concert halls across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Her repertoire encompasses the great coloratura roles of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini, while her recital programmes reflect her wide-ranging musical curiosity.

Jo’s exceptional artistry has earned numerous international honours, including the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording (1993), the Republic of Korea’s Gold Order of Cultural Merit (2008), Italy’s Order of Merit, Commendatore (2011), and Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, awarded for her contribution to promoting Italian culture worldwide. In 2025 she was appointed to France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, recognising her outstanding contribution to international cultural exchange, and in 2026 she was awarded the Maria Callas International Prize (Premio Internazionale Maria Callas), recognising her exceptional lifetime contribution to opera, classical music, and the preservation of Maria Callas's artistic legacy.

A passionate advocate for Korean art song, Jo serves as Artistic Director of “K-Gagok Superstar”, an initiative launched in 2024 to mentor young artists and introduce Korea’s rich vocal repertoire to international audiences. In the same year she founded the Sumi Jo International Singing Competition, held biennially near Paris, providing an important platform for emerging singers from around the world.

The 2025/26 season marked the fortieth anniversary of Jo’s professional debut. She celebrated the milestone with her worldwide Bel Canto & Beyond concert tour and the release of Continuum, a cross-genre recording made at London’s AIR Studios that highlights collaborations with a new generation of artists. Her discography comprises more than fifty solo albums for Erato, Deutsche Grammophon and Warner Classics, many achieving multi-million sales and establishing enduring benchmarks in vocal performance.

Beyond the stage, Jo is a United Nations cultural and peace ambassador, using music to promote dialogue, understanding and humanitarian values. Through her artistry, mentorship and cultural leadership, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide while serving as an international ambassador for music and artistic excellence.