Foreign students learn how to bow properly at Ajou University in Suwon on Monday ahead of Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving day this week./Yonhap
Front - Oct. 2, 2006
Lanterns light the waters of the Nam River on Sunday evening, when the Flowing Lantern Festival on Jinju Namgang started. A total of 15,000 lanterns are displayed at the festival, which is held to commemorate General Kim Si-min’s victory over Japanese troops during Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s invasion of Korea in the 1590s. During the invasion, Kim used the flowing lanterns as a military tool to signal tactics for preventing Japanese troops from crossing the Nam River.
Culture - Oct. 3, 2006
A farmer harvests in terraced rice fields in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province on Monday.
Business - Oct. 3, 2006
Yukgeori Market in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is crowded with people shopping for sacrificial supplies on Monday for the upcoming Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving holiday.
National - Oct. 3, 2006
A family arrive at Seoul Station to take the KTX to Busan on Monday, with three days left to go before Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving holiday./Yonhap
Front - Oct. 5, 2006
A hanbok-clad couple heads off to their hometown of Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province for Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving on Wednesday. During the holiday, which continues through Sunday, a daily average of 6.5 million Koreans are moving to or from their family homes. The English News Service of the Chosun Ilbo will also be on holiday Oct. 5-8 and resume regular reports on the morning of Oct. 9.
Culture - Oct. 5, 2006
Fields in the Gongju, South Chungcheong Province have turned pure gold ahead of Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving on Wednesday and wait for the bountiful harvest.
Movies for Long Chusok Holiday
Jo Su-mi: Always the Best
Jo Su-mi Tells of Her Uninspired Early Days
Something Old, Something New for Soprano Jo Su-mi
Two Decades On, Jo Su-mi Tackles Fresh Challenges
Jo Su-mi has never disappointed her fans at home. At her recital at the Seoul Arts Center on Sept. 27, held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut on the global stage, she stirred the hearts of some 2,000 listeners with her performance, accompanied by the Italian pianist Vincenzo Scalera. She started with one of her favorites, Offenbach’s “Doll Song,” and ended with another, Violetta’s aria from Verdi’s “La Traviata” -- a role she is to debut in next September. After incessant calls for an encore from her fans, she decided to give another recital at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 22. The Chosun Ilbo met her after her performance at the Seoul Arts Center.
Who do you hate the most?
I hate people who betray someone. It’s the most dreadful thing to betray someone who loves you or takes care of you with good intentions. Maybe that’s why I’ve always longed for a world of honor, friendship and justice. Looking back, it seems that I had my hardest time in my junior high and high school days due to jealousy and envy among friends.
Who are your rivals?
I would say that I’ve always thought of myself as the best so there is no one that I considered a rival so far. Without that confidence in myself, I couldn’t have moved my audiences with my performance. I think that my presence makes a stage special, whether it’s the Metropolitan Opera or a small local theater.
When will we see your last performance?
I still get plenty of requests to sing the Queen of the Night aria in Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’, and I’d be able to make lots of money from it. But the role could harm my vocal cords. I cherish my voice, and I don’t want to ruin the musical instrument I have too soon. I want to enjoy singing for as long as I can. I can’t do something that shortens my life as a singer by working my vocal cords too hard just to show off my technical skill. Maybe I can sing for another 20 years.
How many times have you cried for love?
I would answer ‘several times’. I’ve done it three or four times, whether it was love between a man and a woman or just platonic love. Actually, I did it quite recently.
Have you been discriminated against?
People treat me fairly well because of my job, but frankly, every Asian living abroad will feel discriminated against every day. Nationalism is sweeping through France and Germany, though this may not be the case in Italy.
Are you camera-shy?
I really hate to have my picture taken. I don’t want to make myself conspicuous. The fact that people are always watching me makes my life hard sometimes. I often quarrel with my manager because I don’t want to go to meetings with sponsors, or the receptions or parties that usually take place after a performance. I have to face my audience all the time because this is what I do, but I always want to have some time alone.
Have you compromised?
Performing in an opera is full of compromises. From the first day of rehearsals, the conductor says, ‘This is my tempo and you follow me.’ In that case, a tenor with an explosive temper throws away his score and walks out. But capable vocalists practice as if they are following conductor’s lead at first, but on the very day of the performance, they make the conductor follow them.”
Who is your favorite partner?
Placido Domingo, absolutely. He even goes to say hello to the cleaners in an opera house. Nobody who knows him could ever hate him. Singers often act like divas or prima donnas and believe they’re the greatest in this world, but he doesn’t. I learned a lot from working with him, from his humanity and endless efforts.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
Review of Riverbank Legends
No comments:
Post a Comment