Art of Sumi Jo

Sumi Jo (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000009OUB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,606 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #59 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > Vocal & Song > General AAS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My most favorite of the Sumi Jo albums..., August 8, 2001

By 

Andre (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of Sumi Jo (Audio CD)

But now, others can have access to this peppy, catchy-tuned album with Sumi Jo singing arias from obscure French operas and operettas (with the two Queen of the Night arias from Die Zauberflöte thrown in for good measure!).

Every one of these songs are so enjoyable, there's really isn't a bad one in the bunch. They all seem to be perfectly tailored to what this woman can do (Yes, it is true... she is no machination but a real, live woman.) Sumi Jo is in great form, singing with her crystal-clear coloratura through almost every piece ("Mes chères soeurs" is more legato and smooth-flowing than the others probably to allow you to hear that she is not only a master of the coloratura but the length and flow of line as well). Not much else is to be noted since this CD is just so amazing (if you love her other CD's like: Bel Canto, Virtuoso Arias, and Sumi Jo Sings Mozart, you should ADORE this album). I really like the trio "Ah, vous dirai-je maman" from the opera Le Toreador by Adolphe Adam that she recorded with Richard Bonynge a while ago. It's basically been made a vocalise from the original theme by Mozart. I have to make a special note though about one other piece, the "Carnaval de Venise" by Victor Masse. I'm sure Bonynge pulled out this obscure piece JUST for Sumi Jo. The last one-and-a-half minutes are PURE coloratura (I know, this sounds a little excessive as my girlfriend would point out, but I find it thrilling as I hang on every moment of it). It shows just how much control she has of her technique (The only bobble she makes on the entire CD is heard at one point in this piece where she seems to be running out of breath. But who can blame her for one teeny mistake when she's just sung fiery, blazing coloratura for 20 seconds or so with one breath in a long string of appoggiaturas???). It's simply amazing and is a perfect showpiece to end the CD with, though they're all great arias.

If you purchase this album and enjoy it at least half as much as I do, it'll be well worth the buy. So... we have 14 pieces multiplied by 5 stars easily each, plus 20 stars for Sumi Jo's gorgeous voice, and 10 for Bonynge's selection of material and we arrive at a grand total of 100 stars. Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Singing, January 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Art of Sumi Jo (Audio CD)

Sumi Jo is probably the greatest coloratura soprano today. This CD is a great showcase for Miss Jo's talent. She has an incredible technique, never sounding shrill or strained. Her musicality is always evident in these selections, from her albums CARNAVAL, LE DOMINO NOIR, DIE ZAUBERFLOTE and LE TOREADOR. It is difficult to mention the highlights of this CD. The Queen of the Night's arias, even when Sumi Jo's voice is lighter than what is expected for the role, shine with expression and cristal clear execution. Other highlights are "Ah! vous dirai-je maman" from LE TOREADOR, "Sevillana", "Couplets de Mysoli". And there is no better way to end this CD than with the "Carnaval de Venise" from Masse's LA REINE TOPAZE. These variations are executed by Miss Jo in a spectacular way. Her singing reminds me of Amelita Galli-Curci: the same combination of charm and technical brilliance. This CD is a prefect introduction for people who do not know Sumi Jo. And it will be no doubt a treat for the fans of the Korean soprano.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly GORGEOUS, January 18, 2004

By 

Tutzi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of Sumi Jo (Audio CD)

Her voice is incredibly beautiful... I've never heard such effortless high notes from a soprano leggiero.. Brilliant is not enough to describe this gem of a voice! It's a gift from God! Buy this and be enchanted by the goddess of beautiful singing!