[On Stage] The Joy of the Heart Captured in One Frame

Soprano Joshua Releases First Debut Album 'La Prima Donna'

After Graduating from Juilliard School, Active Overseas
Selected for Houston Grand Opera, One of the US Big Four
Domestic Debut Recital Stage Last Month

Comforting Baroque Music
Includes Essential Pieces for Vocal Students
Interpreted in My Style... Hope It Helps

Soprano Joshua. (Photo by DGNcom)

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] "Since this is my very first debut album and also my first formal introduction to the domestic audience, I feel twice the joy and happiness."

On the 28th of last month, soprano Joshua (32) released her first-ever debut album, La Prima Donna, her voice filled with excitement. After graduating from the Juilliard School, she had mainly performed on overseas stages, but this time she was able to share musical communication with domestic fans for the first time. She also held her domestic debut recital on the 15th of last month at the Seoul Arts Center.

When a Korean musician achieves record-breaking accomplishments on overseas stages, they are often described with titles such as "the first Korean" or "the first Asian." Especially in fields like opera or classical music, which are traditionally European, such titles rarely better represent a musician's genius. This is because these titles imply overcoming various forms of discrimination and prejudice rooted in Western perspectives solely through musical talent. After graduating from university, Joshua was selected as the first Asian for the "Young Artist Program" at the Houston Grand Opera, one of the four major opera houses in the United States.

Joshua recalled, "The tone of voice of the Houston Grand Opera's Young Artists was similar to what I had been pursuing, and they offered a lot of stage experience, so it was the place I most wanted to go." In this program, she received numerous educational opportunities and even a stipend, including vocal lessons, music coaching, auditions, and one-on-one lessons in French, German, and Italian. Joshua said, "The greatest help was reorganizing my vocalization from the basics with excellent vocal teachers," adding, "Performing on big stages with world-class vocalists was also a valuable experience."

Soprano Joshua. (Photo by DGNcom)

Regarding the concept of this album, she described it as "a medicine for the soul for listeners and a reference book for those studying vocal music." The album mainly consists of exquisite Baroque vocal pieces such as Handel's opera Rinaldo arias "Lascia ch'io pianga" and "Under the Tree Shade," Purcell's "Music for a While," Caccini's "Amarilli, mia bella," and Giordani's "My Dear Lover," well known from the movie Farinelli OST. It also includes pieces that have rarely been recorded before, such as Caccini's "Amor, che ne la mente mi ragiona," considered the origin of vocal music.

"Baroque music is easy to listen to and soothing to the mind. At the same time, the tracks included in the album are essential pieces that vocal students must study diligently. When I was at Yewon School, I tried to listen to as many different recordings as possible and express my own music. All the songs in the album are interpreted in my own style. I hope it can be of some help to students studying their own musical expression."

Joshua worked on this album with popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo (35). This is the first time Lim Hyung-joo has taken on the roles of recording producer and vocal director for another artist's album. Lim Hyung-joo is a senior from Yewon School and Juilliard's vocal department, and also the older brother of a close friend Joshua met during her time at Yewon School. Joshua said, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, while I was in Korea, a friend actively connected me with Director Lim Hyung-joo," adding, "He is a veteran musician with 17 solo albums and understands the public's taste very well, so I was able to learn a lot."

Soprano Joshua. (Photo by DGNcom)

Joshua pursues a vocal style that expresses feelings raw and unfiltered, whether in acting or music. She also tends to use rich facial expressions on stage. Joshua said, "I try to give my tone a round and warm feeling," adding, "I often hear that my voice carries various colors and emotions." She continued, "My unique tone color that anyone can recognize as Joshua is my strength."

Joshua has experienced two slumps so far, caused by long periods of living away from home and a tight schedule that exhausted her mind and body. This even led to a loss of confidence. She has now overcome all her slumps. Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic allowed her to recharge her life.

"Until just before the pandemic, I was so exhausted from traveling without a home for three years due to performances across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. I felt all my energy was depleted. My passion as a musician seemed to be fading. But during the pandemic, I stayed in Korea with my family and recovered my energy. When I was itching to perform again, I met Director Lim Hyung-joo, and my passion reignited. Staying in Korea, I am now experiencing various music genres beyond opera for the first time."

Joshua plans to try various musical experiments in the future. She said, "Following this album, I am planning two more albums with Director Lim Hyung-joo," adding, "I want to challenge myself with an album composed of opera arias and also jazz or crossover music that even audiences unfamiliar with classical music can comfortably enjoy."

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