By ELIZABETH LOLARGA
THERE is something about international operatic superstar Sumi Jo who’s a vegetarian. If she were to sing about Mary Moon in the Deadeye Dick song “New Age Girl,” it would take on a magical quality in the sincerity she puts into each tune, whether classical, pop or a Korean folk song. Sincerity is often used to describe her singing.
Jo makes her Philippine debut in a one-night concert Feb. 1 at SM Aura’s Samsung Hall, Bonifacio Global City of Taguig, for the benefit of Tanging Yaman Foundation that is rebuilding lives and infrastructure in post-Yolanda Samar and for future workshops by international teachers to train young and talented classical music singers. Najib Ismail is her collaborating artist.
Asked what makes sopranos appealing worldwide, she told Korea.net, “A high-pitched soprano has the most feminine and sophisticated vocal tone in terms of virtuosity. I don’t like the high-pitched tone of a female singing voice, rather the vocal range of alto or mezzo-soprano.”
In a crossover album like Only Love, she brings the voice that Maestro Herbert von Karajan called as sent from above a notch lower for “Send in the Clowns,” “Just in Time,” “I Still Believe,” among others.
She once spoke of the responsibilities that came with her gift: “When I started music in earnest in Italy, I had to go through a lot of ordeals. As an Asian musician, I was subject to curiosity. Many came to my rehearsals to see the little Asian girl singing… I always kept my guard up and felt tremendous responsibilities, being called a ‘soprano from Korea.'”
She continued, “I used to say, ‘Music is my fate,’ but I’ve come to believe that music is a mission God gave me. In any country, I receive a standing ovation and my singing touches the hearts of audiences with different languages and cultures. Since I was designated by UNESCO as an Artist for Peace, I’ve engaged in many activities aiming for world peace and preservation of cultural assets. I volunteer in many parts of the world where music itself can be a luxury and raise awareness of children in need and abandoned animals in my nation, too. Actions speak louder than words.”
She made known a desire to visit a home for children with special needs and an animal shelter while in Manila.
In another interview with Clemency Burton-Hill, Jo exclaimed, “I know there are things more important than music in the world. Come on! People are starving out there!”
“La Jo,” as the international press calls her, is also known for her fashion sense. Her costumes do not distract the audience from the beauty of her voice that has reduced men to tears.The haute couture houses of Lacroix and Versace are too happy to dress Jo.
Burton-Hill wrote, “Sumi Jo’s commitment to fashion is only one of the many non-musical passions that make her such a unique performer. She adores…sport, having performed at the opening ceremony of the World Cup and the Olympics – ‘which was so fun, to be able to share my passion with millions of people who knew nothing about classical music!’ She loves going to the gym, where she listens to ‘anything but classical music’ on her iPod.”
Her interest in things other than classical music has won more converts to that kind of music. She performs in spaces the size of football stadiums.
She displays an Asian woman’s devotion to family. A CNN report recounted how Jo’s father died while she was in Paris in 2006.
“I wanted to go to Korea right away,” she said. “My mother told me by phone, ‘You should stay there to sing for your public because you are not a simple daughter for me. I consider you an artist so you should stay there and sing.'”
She sang the next night while the funeral proceeded in Korea. CNN quoted her as saying, “I wasn’t able to assist him (father) at the end, but I have this gift for him so I hope he will forgive me.”
Her Manila program will show her ease in doing crossovers: Bishop’s “Lo! Here the lark,” Vivaldi’s “Sposa son disprezzata,” Handel’s “Lascia ch’io pianga,” Adam’s “Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman,” Martini’s “Plaisir d’amour,” Delibes’ “Chanson Espagnole,” Dell’Acqua’s “Villanelle,” Strauss’ “Blue Danube,” Balfe’s “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls,” Gershwin’s “Summertime,” Lehar’s “Vilja Song”, Lowe’s “I Could Have Danced All Night,” Jung-Jun Ahn’s “Arirang,” Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” and Verdi’s “Ah Fors’e Lui… Sempre Libera.”
Sponsored by the Korean Cultural Center, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel and Steinway & Sons Piano, Jo’s concert is called by its organizers “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
