On May 27th, a recital of soprano Kim Yoon Hee (Department of Voice, class of 95) was held in Sejong Center. She played several arias (lyrical solo pieces by heroine in opera) including Frauen-Liebe und Leben by Schumann and Pace, pace mio Dio! by Verdi in the recital. It was a recital that tremendously demonstrated not only Kim’s musical world but also her message to the world. We met Kim and heard her story about the process and effort to be a successful soprano.

After graduating the Department of Vocal at Hanyang University, Kim went to the world’s most prestigious Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi di Milano. With the recommendation of the professor Cho Yong-Ran from the Department of Vocal (currently a professor at the Department of Applied Music at Hanseo University), she could study from teacher Rita Orlandi Malaspina. About Malaspina, Kim said that “she was acclaimed as a global dramatic soprano especially as Verdiana(soprano suite for Verdi’s pieces) from the 1960s to 1980s.” Moreover, she said that “As I wanted to study Verdiana and Pucciniana(soprano suite for Puccini’s opera), meeting with Malaspina was a huge turning point in my musical career.”

After graduating from the Department of Vocal, Kim did not return to Korea but chose to enter Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi di Milano again in the Department of Lied. She started a relationship with the teacher Daniela Uccello. Kim commented that “Uccello awakened me to the lyrical genre 'Lied', while I had mainly studied Opera.” Uccello's lesson was conducted with a team of pianist and vocalist. Kim took every lesson with Kim Jeong-Un (currently a Maestro collaboratore of Teatro Regio di Torino), which was a great help for her musically. She added that “I am inspired a lot seeing Kim Jeong-Un actively performing in Italy until now.”

Besides the lessons from two teachers, Kim could learn a lot at Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi di Milano. She said “I especially remember the teachers a lot  who helped me analyze and express songs by myself: directing teacher who taught me about opera stage, harmonic teacher who taught me how to interpret songs abundantly, literature teacher who taught me how to express the depth of song by lingual understanding and more.”

After graduating Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi di Milano, Kim started performing opera in Europe, so called the home of opera. With a recommendation from teacher Malaspina, she made her debut as Anna from Verdi’s opera Nabucco in Italy. Later, she performed Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly in 4 French cities after passing an audition. She commented, “Madama Butterfly can be a great chance for an Asian soprano to make a debut, but it can be a poisoned chalice when not having the ability to lead the whole opera.” She also added, “I could finish the performance well thanks to the colleagues, director, and agency that led the young Asian girl.” Based on valuable experiences like this, Kim could go on numerous opera stages in both Europe and Korea.

About her future plans, Kim responded that “I am looking for ways with my colleagues to meet the audience on regular bases.” She then said, “Rather than a stage with colorful lights or expensive equipment, I want to be on a stage where I can breathe with the audience”

Kim passed along her entreaties to the juniors majoring music. She commented, “It is great to communicate with teachers, seniors, colleagues about your problem and solution without adjustment.” adding “We are familiar with competition but when we cooperate, it becomes the driving force to overcome when dreams fail.”

She also left advice for juniors. “I believe that the one with the dream can achieve it. No matter what the current circumstances are, if you design your future self well and work hard, ‘dream comes true’ will no longer be dream.”