By Charles Audouin
Video = Sumi Jo's official YouTube channel

An international singing competition named after world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo will be held in France this summer.

The event's organizing committee recently said the contest will be held from July 7-13 at the castle Chateau De La Ferte-Imbault in the Loire Valley, central France.

 
The competition is the first held abroad bearing the name of a Korean musician.

Seeking to discover promising opera stars and offer them the opportunity to display their prowess on the global stage, the event is open to those ages 18-32 worldwide.

The 24 applicants who pass qualification both online and offline will advance to the finals at the castle. Nine finalists will compete in the championship round and three will receive awards.

The grand prize is EUR 50,000 and the chance to perform with Jo overseas. Second place will earn EUR 20,000 and third EUR 10,000. 

Those wishing to enter can do so on the competition's homepage (www.sumijo-isc.com) no later than May 4. The entry fee is EUR 50.

This is the official poster for the inaugural Sumi Jo International Singing Competition set for July in France.