South Korean soprano Sumi Jo has received the 12th Premio Internazionale Maria Callas, becoming the first Asian artist to receive the Italian honor in the year she marks the 40th anniversary of her international debut. She accepted the award in Verona on Sunday, where organizers hold the annual ceremony each Aug. 2, the anniversary of Maria Callas’ debut at the Arena di Verona in 1947. The prize recognizes artists who have made lasting contributions to opera and classical music, and previous recipients include director Franco Zeffirelli and baritone Leo Nucci.