Yma Sumac

Date of birth

10 Sep 1923

104 years ago at Ichocan, Cajamarca, Peru

Also Known As

Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo

Yma Sumac (born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo, September 10, 1923 – November 1, 2008), was a Peruvian–American coloratura soprano. In the 1950s, she was one of the most famous exponents of exotica music.

Biography

Sumac became an international success based on her extreme vocal range. She had six and a half octaves according to some reports, but other reports (and recordings) document four and a half at the peak of her singing career. (A typical trained singer has a range of about three octaves).

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