Jury

CHOI Sang-Ho

South Korea / Tenor, Professor at the Korea National University of Arts

CHOI Sang-Ho is a distinguished tenor and professor at the Korea National University of Arts, currently serving as the Director and Artistic Director of the National Opera Company of Korea since 2023.  

After graduating from Yonsei University’s Faculty of Vocal Music, he furthered his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe in Germany. His professional operatic career began with exclusive engagements at prominent German opera houses, including the Opera Frankfurt-Oder (1990-1991), the State Theater Kassel (1991-1995), and the Leipzig Opera (1995-2002).  

CHOI’s extensive performance repertoire spans over 40 operas, featuring works by composers such as Mozart, Donizetti, Rossini, and Verdi. His artistry has graced major cultural centers across Europe, including Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe. In addition to German opera houses, he has performed on international tours in Argentina, Chile, Russia, and Israel.  

As a concert soloist, he has collaborated with esteemed orchestras, including the WDR Symphony Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In Korea, he has performed with the Seoul Metropolitan Opera and the National Opera Company, and he is a sought-after soloist for oratorios, notably Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s The Creation.  

A passionate interpreter of German art songs, CHOI regularly performs the works of Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, and Mahler, including landmark cycles such as Winterreise, Die schöne Müllerin, and Schwanengesang.  

His dedication to nurturing the next generation of vocal talent extends to his role as a juror for prestigious international competitions, including the Shizuoka Mt. Fuji International Opera Competition of Shizuoka(Japan), the Maria Malibran Competition in Milan, and the 2019 Seoul International Competition.  

CHOI Sang-Ho’s commitment to artistic excellence continues to inspire audiences and young musicians alike through his leadership, performances, and mentorship.