Get to Know the Sarasota Opera: Kathleen Kim

Kathleen Kim will debut as Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti on Saturday at The Sarasota Opera House. The beautiful and vivacious performer sits across from me smiling and a little breathless. She’s been rehearsing and I’ve had the pleasure of her voice as background music during my previous interviews.

Dining Diva: Where are you from?

Kathleen Kim: Seoul, South Korea. I left when I was 17.

DD: What is your favorite food from home?

KK: It’s all delicious but specifically the street food. My favorite is a snack called Ddeokbokki which is a spicy rice cake. I live In Chicago now and one of my favorite things is grilled sweet potato with hot sauce.  There’s a great spanish tapas place called Valencia that I love to go to with my husband.

DD: How long have you been married?

KK: Twelve years in May; he’s a physical therapist.

DD: Where would you like to travel that you have not been?

KK: Australia and South Africa.

DD: What is your favorite place in Sarasota?

KK: Siesta Key!

DD: Where would you be if you were not an opera singer?

KK: An actress or a real estate broker---I love looking at houses.

DD: What kind of music do you listen to?

KK: All kinds! I love classical, jazz, some pop. I like to have it on in the background.

DD: Are you enjoying the role of Lucia?

KK: This has been my dream role for a while, so I am excited to be performing it in Sarasota. It’s a tragic role, which means that I finally get to die on stage. It’s a journey filled with anger and complicated characters and the music is amazing. I love this opportunity to act, especially in the iconic scene where Lucia goes mad.