President Lee Congratulates Sumi Jo on Winning 'Maria Callas Special Award': "A Source of Pride for All Koreans"

First Asian Vocalist to Receive the Award

"A New Milestone for Korean Culture and Arts"

Marking 40 Years on the World Stage

"May You Continue to Inspire Aspiring Artists"

On August 5, President Lee Jaemyung congratulated world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo on receiving the 12th Maria Callas Special Award, stating, "It is a source of great joy and pride for all the people of Korea."

Soprano Sumi Jo received the 12th Maria Callas Special Award on the 2nd (local time) in Verona, Italy, the PR agency PRM announced on the 3rd. Yonhap News

On this day, President Lee mentioned on X (formerly Twitter), "As the first Asian opera singer to receive this prestigious award, which honors the legendary Maria Callas, you have set a new milestone in the cultural and artistic history of Korea."

He continued, "This year is especially meaningful as it marks the 40th anniversary of Sumi Jo's debut on the international stage. For the past 40 years, with your beautiful voice, you have moved audiences across borders and around the world, bringing honor to the name of Korea. I express my deep respect and gratitude for your achievements."

President Lee added, "I hope you will continue to be a beacon of hope and courage for many people, and a reliable guide for younger artists. I will always cheer you on with enthusiasm."

On August 2 (local time), at a ceremony held in Verona, Italy, Sumi Jo received the 12th Maria Callas Special Award in recognition of her contributions to the development of the global opera and classical music scene. She is the first Asian artist to receive this award.

The Maria Callas Special Award was established in 2014 to honor Maria Callas, one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century. It is presented annually at the Maria Callas International Festival in Verona to an artist who has made significant contributions to the world of opera and classical music.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.