World Soprano Jo Su-Mi

Traveling can be exciting, but it also has a way of making the traveler feel lonely.

World-renowned soprano Jo Su-mi is no exception. Jo says she has felt solitary throughout her career, due to traveling and spending a lot of time alone studying and practicing.

With 25-years of world-traveling experience, Jo has released a new album in October titled "Missing You," centered around this theme.

The crossover album contains 16 representative love songs from various countries, including the all-time-favorite Korean nursery song "Ummaya Nunaya (Mother, Sister)."

"I chose to include 'Ummaya Nunaya' in the album along with numerous foreign songs, to say that the place that I want to come back to, after all the long journeys, is Korea, where I can see my mother," said Jo from Italy in a phone interview with The Korea Herald.

The soprano is noted for her excellence in classical repertoires, including operas. In May, Jo received a Puccini Award granted to figures who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the great Italian composer. She has been steadily releasing crossover albums as well.

While most people expect her to be conservative just because she is a classical musician, Jo said she is actually very open-minded regarding different cultures, religions, and points of views because she went to study in Italy at a young age.

"As an artist I desire to make music of different colors once in a while, which is like taking a vacation for me," Jo said. "As long as the audience can feel relaxed listening to my music, I'm happy."

All the songs on the album were recorded in their original languages, meaning Jo sang in 11 different languages. Although Jo is known for her talent in learning and speaking foreign languages, she said it was a big challenge and was quite stressful.

"It required a lot of courage for me to sing in languages I have never been acquainted with, like Swedish and Hebrew," said Jo.

Yet Jo stuck to it because she felt it was a good opportunity for her to get to know different countries, their cultures and historical backgrounds.

Marking 22 years as a classical music performer, Jo thinks it is fate that has brought her thus far.

"I think it's fate. As I get older, I feel like I'm destined to do this," said Jo.

Even though confidence on stage only arises from sufficient rehearsing, the soprano said she thinks it is in her nature to become excited on stage.

"Although I'm usually not a very outgoing person, I really love the spotlight that I get on stage. It almost makes me feel like a queen," she said.

Jo said she plans to release more crossover albums in the near future while continuing her tour.

"I just want to present some healthy and joyful music that can appeal not only to the domestic audience, but also to the foreign audience," Jo said.

Jo starts her Asian tour within few months. She is set to return home for a concert in December.

By Koh Young-aah