The Sumi Jo International Singing Competition which was held between July 8 and 13 has announced its 2024 winners.

The prize went to Chinese baritone Zihao Li; the first prize comes with a 50,000 euro prize. Second place went to Romanian tenor George Virban, who also earns a 20,000 euro cash prize. Finally, the third prize and 10,000 euros were awarded to South Korean tenor Kiup Lee.

The jury was led by soprano Sumi Jo, President of the jury, owner of château de la Ferté-Imbault Olivier Ojzerowicz-Medinger, Artistic Advisor to the Metropolitan Opera of NYC and the Irish National Opera Jonathan Friend, and cast manager of La Scala Alessandro Galoppini. Other jury members included the President of Warner Classics and Erato Alain Lanceron, Conductor, composer and director of le Cercle de l’Harmonie Jeremie Rhorer, and tenor Ramón Vargas.

The event took place at the Chateau de la Ferte-Imbault in France’s Loire Valley.

The next Sumi Jo International Singing Competition will take place in 2026 and coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea.