Soprano Cho Sumi: “I’ll Perform Until 100” at ‘Maria’ Film Event
- SEOUL — Soprano Cho Sumi, reflecting on her upcoming 40th anniversary on the international stage, recently participated in a Q&A session following a screening of the film .
- , released in Korea on April 16th, delves into the life and death of Maria Callas (1923-1977), the 20th-century opera icon often referred to as "La divina."
- A song I heard from my mother's belly...It seems to have been destined sence birth.
Cho sumi Reflects on Maria Callas‘ Legacy at Film Screening
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Cho Sumi at Megabox COEX” loading=”lazy”>Soprano Draws Parallels Between Her Life and the Opera Legend
SEOUL — Soprano Cho Sumi, reflecting on her upcoming 40th anniversary on the international stage, recently participated in a Q&A session following a screening of the film <Maria>. the event took place at megabox COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
<Maria>, released in Korea on April 16th, delves into the life and death of Maria Callas (1923-1977), the 20th-century opera icon often referred to as “La divina.”
A song I heard from my mother’s belly…It seems to have been destined sence birth. There’s a lot of similarities, so I’m surprised.
Cho expressed a sense of urgency, noting the relatively short period of Maria Callas’s peak fame. “The opera can be bound to the time when there was no Calas,” Cho stated.
Despite her reputation as the “Diva of the Century,” Maria Callas’s reign lasted approximately a decade before her death at age 53 from a heart attack. Though, her influence extended far and wide, even reaching Korean teenage girls living through war and cultural hardship. One such girl, Cho Sumi’s mother, found solace and inspiration in Callas’s voice on the radio, nurturing a dream of becoming a diva that she would later pass on to her daughter.
“I was so tired of listening to Callas songs since I was in my mother’s stomach,” Cho Sumi recalled, adding, “I have played the piano since I was four years old, and I was a very busy child without any vocal music, ballet, classical dance, figure skating, and eloquence.”
Her mother’s dream materialized when Cho Sumi met conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) at an audition for Verdi’s <Un ballo in maschera> in 1988. Karajan famously remarked that Cho’s voice was one that “comes out once in a century,” catapulting her into the international spotlight.
40 years after debuting the international stage next year, the frustration of the role model, while becoming a teacher.
“I was very frightened as I and callas had a similar side,” Cho Sumi admitted.
In a gesture of admiration, Cho Sumi named her dog “Jackie,” after Callas’s sister, during her time as a struggling student in Italy. For the screening event, Cho wore a black dress, a signature style often seen on Callas, and dedicated three hours to hair and makeup.
Callas’s life also served as a cautionary tale for Cho. The opera star’s tumultuous relationship with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, marked by lavish parties, alcohol, cigarettes, and eventual betrayal, led to her reliance on drugs.
“The vocal music is a musical instrument,” Cho Sumi explained. “I saw Calas’s life,’I don’t want to live like this,I will be on stage for 100 years after 40,50,and 60 years.'”
Looking Ahead
The film screening marked Cho Sumi’s first time as a guest at a movie Q&A, despite her 40-year international career. Cho continues to embrace new challenges. In july of last year, she launched the 1st Cho Sumi International Vocal Competition in Paris, France.A concert titled ‘The Magic, Jo Sumi & Winners,’ featuring the competition’s winners, is scheduled for June.
Additional Q&A sessions for <Maria> are planned, featuring tenor Lim hyung-joo, violinist Cho Yun-bum, and novelist Chun Sun-ran.
Cho Sumi Reflects on Maria Callas’ Legacy: A Q&A
Introduction: Cho Sumi and the Film “Maria”
Q: What was the occasion for this event?
Cho Sumi participated in a Q&A session following a screening of the film “
Q: What is the film “
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cho Sumi’s Reflections on Maria Callas
Q: what parallels did Cho Sumi draw between her own life and Maria Callas’s?
Cho sumi expressed surprise at the similarities between her life and that of Maria Callas, stating, ”A song I heard from my mother’s belly…It truly seems to have been destined as birth.”
Q: What role did Maria Callas play in Cho Sumi’s life, even before her own career took off?
Cho Sumi’s mother found solace and inspiration in Callas’s voice, which she heard on the radio while experiencing war and cultural hardship.This nurtured a dream of becoming a diva that she passed on to her daughter. Cho Sumi recalls being “so tired of listening to Callas songs as I was in my mother’s stomach”.
Q: How did Maria Callas inspire Cho Sumi?
Callas’s influence extended to Cho Sumi,who saw Callas’s life as a cautionary tale. Cho stated, “I don’t want to live like this, I will be on stage for 100 years after 40, 50, and 60 years.”
Q: What was the influence of Cho Sumi’s mother on her musical journey?
Cho Sumi’s mother cultivated a dream of musical excellence that involved piano, ballet, classical dance, figure skating, and eloquence.
Q: How did Cho sumi’s professional career begin?
Cho Sumi’s international career was launched after meeting conductor Herbert von Karajan at an audition for Verdi’s “
Q: How did Cho Sumi honor maria Callas?
In a gesture of admiration, Cho Sumi named her dog “Jackie” after Callas’s sister. For the screening event, she wore a black dress, a style often associated with Callas, and dedicated three hours to hair and makeup.
Maria Callas: A Closer Look
Q: What is Maria Callas known for?
Maria Callas (1923-1977), often called “La divina,” was a renowned opera singer of the 20th century.
Q: How long did Maria Callas’ period of fame last?
Despite her fame,her reign lasted only about a decade.
Q: What were some of the challenges Maria Callas faced?
Callas’s life included a tumultuous relationship with Aristotle Onassis, marked by lavish living, alcohol, cigarettes, betrayal, and eventual reliance on drugs.
Cho Sumi’s Upcoming Projects
Q: What is the meaning of cho Sumi’s upcoming 40th anniversary on the international stage?
This film screening event was a reflection on Cho Sumi’s 4