(Photo Credit: Young-joon)

Soprano Sumi Jo has been named the winner of the 2026 Maria Callas Prize, becoming the first Asian singer to receive the award.

Jo made her professional debut in Italy in 1986. She has appeared in opera houses and concert halls worldwide including the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, Teatro alla Scala, the Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden, and more. She has released over fifty solo albums and is the founder of the Sumi Jo International Singing Competition. Other awards include a 1993 GRAMMY Award for Best Opera Recording and and the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (OSI), bestowed by the Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

During her acceptance speech, Jo said, “On Aug. 2, 1947, the diva of the century, Maria Callas, made her historic opera debut in Verona, Italy. Seventy-nine years later, to the day, in the same city, I am deeply honored to receive the 12th Maria Callas International Prize in her name.”

The Maria Callas Prize was established in 2013 and is presented in partnership with the city of Verona and many leading Italian cultural institutions. The award is given to artists who have made outstanding contributions to the development of opera and classical music worldwide.

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