BOB WINNEL and Chris Latham have done it again, with this announcement this morning that operatic superstar Sumi Jo will return to Canberra to perform at this year’s “Voices in the Forest.”

Often called “the voice one only hears once in 100 years”, the Korean-born soprano performed a selection of arias in the 2012 Forest showcase, but this year will focus more tightly in a musical tribute to the late, great diva, Maria Callas.

“They have the same voice type,” said Chris Latham, artistic director of “Voices in the Forest”, “Sumi was the first singer to come along that people thought – here is someone worthy of Callas’ repertoire.”

Sumi Jo was first labelled as “a coloratura soprano with a voice from heaven” by German conductor Herbert Von Karajan, music director of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Salzburg Festival. She  went on to become the first Korean to perform at the most prestigious opera houses, including La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, the Vienna State Opera, and Théâtre National de l’Opéra de Paris.

On hand this morning for the official announcement by ACT Arts Minister Chris Bourke at the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion was Aussie artist Sally-Anne Russell, who, with lyric tenor Richard Troxell, will be performing alongside Sumi Jo on the night.

As one of Australia’s finest mezzo sopranos, Russell has over 50 operatic roles in her repertoire and has sung in 15 countries including the US, Austria, The Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

As the event enters its sixth year, event organiser, Bob Winnel The Village Building Company declared himself delighted to see the return of one of the most popular artists ever to grace the stage at the National Arboretum—and she’s a personal favourite of Mr  Winnel.

“The line-up and program of arias, Broadway and pop will again enthral and entertain audiences against the stunning backdrop of panoramic views,’ he said.

“Voices in the Forest 2016,” National Arboretum Canberra, Saturday, November 19, 6:30-9:30pm. Gates open at 3:30pm. For more information visit  voicesintheforest.com.au