'Commandeur' Sumi Jo: "I Feel as If I Have Reached the Pinnacle Today"

Awarded the Highest Grade of the French Order of Cultural Merit

"This honor is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I feel as if I have reached the pinnacle today."

Soprano Sumi Jo, who has been active for decades as a world-class soprano, shared her overwhelming feelings on May 26 (local time) after receiving the "Commandeur," the highest grade of the French Order of Cultural Merit. On this day, Sumi Jo was awarded the medal at a ceremony held at the Opera Comique in Paris, receiving it from Fleur Pellerin, former French Minister of Culture of Korean descent.

Since 1957, the French government has awarded the Order of Cultural Merit to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding creative achievements in the fields of arts and literature or contributed to elevating the international stature of French culture. The order is divided into three grades: Commandeur (1st class), Officier (2nd class), and Chevalier (3rd class).

Sumi Jo became the third Korean to receive the Commandeur, following Kim Jungok, former president of the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service (2002), and conductor Chung Myungwhun (2011). Film director Bong Joonho was awarded the Officier medal in 2016.

Soprano Sumi Jo is taking a commemorative photo after receiving the Order of Cultural Merit at the Opera Comique in Paris, France, on the 26th (local time).
Photo by Yonhap News

Sumi Jo made her debut in 1986 at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Italy, playing the role of Gilda in the opera "Rigoletto." Since then, she has performed at leading opera houses around the world, earning her reputation as a world-renowned coloratura soprano.

She has received numerous honors, including the Italian Golden Goose Award in 1993, the International Puccini Award in 2008, the "Ordine della Stella d'Italia" in 2019, and the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2023.

Sumi Jo stated, "Receiving the Commandeur is a great honor, but at the same time, it is also a new beginning. From now on, I want to dedicate myself to supporting and inspiring more young generations."

Last year, Sumi Jo personally hosted the "1st Sumi Jo International Vocal Competition" at the Chateau de La Fert?-Imbault in the Loire region of France, marking the first overseas international competition named after a Korean musician.

Former Minister Pellerin praised, "Sumi Jo is one of the great sopranos of our time. In the 1980s, it was almost impossible for an Asian artist to succeed in the world of Western opera, but she broke down barriers, overcame prejudice, and paved the way for others to follow."