Korean Baritone Kim Hyung-gu Named First Asian Permanent Member of Italy’s Santa Cecilia National Choir

Kim Hyung-gu has become the first Asian singer in the roughly 130-year history of Italy’s Santa Cecilia National Academy Choir to secure permanent membership, a position that carries retirement protection. His official entry date is September 7.

The baritone, who studied music at Sahmyook University, joined the choir as a guest member in May 2025. After a year of work, he entered the permanent-member competition held in July and was selected as one of the final winners.

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A very unusual achievement

The selection process began with a blind review and continued with demanding tests. Candidates had to adjust their vocal production and technique immediately in response to the judges’ instructions. They also performed an a cappella quartet with existing permanent members and underwent difficult sight-reading and ensemble assessments.

The panel evaluated Kim’s language skills, refined musical expression, sight-reading ability and coordination with fellow singers. Andrea Secchi, the choir’s conductor and head of the judging panel, reportedly described his selection after only one year as a guest member as “a very unusual achievement.”

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I will continue striving without settling for the status quo and establish myself as a singer who has crossed the barriers of language and culture.

Kim’s route to the choir was also marked by a major career change. After graduating from Sahmyook University, he worked there for eight years before deciding, in his late 30s, to study in Italy. He graduated from Rome’s Santa Cecilia Conservatory in 2022 and changed voice type from tenor to baritone after accepting advice from local maestros. Soon afterward, he debuted in a leading role in Puccini’s La bohème at a major theater in Umbria and received leading roles in opera auditions.

Kim said he would continue working without settling for the status quo and establish himself as a singer who crosses linguistic and cultural barriers. He also urged younger Korean singers not to fear failure or public opinion and to trust their potential. From October, he is due to appear in the academy’s 2026-27 season with conductors including Daniel Harding and Antonio Pappano.

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I hope Korean juniors will also not fear failure or the views of those around them, but trust their potential and confidently challenge themselves on the world stage.