Sumi Jo to Perform at KBS Symphony Orchestra's 800th Regular Concert

Three Italian Opera Arias Including 'Jeonggyeolhan Yeosin'
Complete First Performance of Respighi's 'Roman Trilogy'

Soprano Jo Sumi, representing Korea, will take the stage for the 800th regular concert of the KBS Symphony Orchestra.

The KBS Symphony Orchestra announced on the 5th that it will hold its 800th regular concert, "Feste Romane," at 8 p.m. on the 29th at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. Pietari Inkinen, music director of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, will conduct, with soprano Jo Sumi as the soloist.

At this performance, the KBS Symphony Orchestra will perform the complete "Roman Trilogy," the representative work of Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, for the first time in a regular concert. The "Roman Trilogy" is an orchestral suite depicting the history and landmarks of Rome like a painting, consisting of "Fountains of Rome" (1916), "Pines of Rome" (1924), and "Roman Festivals" (1928). "Pines of Rome" portrays the nature of Rome through delicate orchestral playing, while "Fountains of Rome" elegantly depicts the four fountains of Rome with wind instruments. "Roman Festivals" is notable for its dynamic melody that evokes people enjoying a festival. Until now, the KBS Symphony Orchestra has performed only "Pines of Rome" several times in regular concerts. This will be the first time the entire trilogy, including "Fountains of Rome" and "Roman Festivals," is performed.

Jo Sumi will perform arias from Italian composers Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi's operas "Norma," "La Figlia del Reggimento," and "La Traviata," in line with the theme of "Roman Festivals." She will sing "Casta Diva," "Tutti i miei sospiri," and "Ah, fors' ? lui che l'anima," all of which are highly challenging pieces requiring high pitch and elaborate vocal techniques.

Jo Sumi made her European debut in 1986 at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Italy, playing the lead role of Gilda in Verdi's opera "Rigoletto," and last October, she was awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest honor for contributions to culture and arts.

The KBS Symphony Orchestra held its first regular concert on December 20, 1956, at Sigonggwan, the only performance hall in Korea at the time located in Myeongdong, under the baton of its inaugural chief conductor Im Won-sik.

Tickets for the KBS Symphony Orchestra's 800th regular concert can be purchased through Interpark and the Seoul Arts Center.

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