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Yma Sumac

Acting Born Sep 10, 1923 Ichocan, Cajamarca, Peru 8 credits

Biography

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.

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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Known for

Climax!

as Maria Santez

The Hollywood Palace

as Self
Film

Secret of the Incas

as Kori-Tica

Full filmography

  • Climax! (1954) as Maria Santez
  • The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self
  • Secret of the Incas (1954) as Kori-Tica
  • Omar Khayyam (1957) as Karina
  • Fol-de-Rol (1972) as Various Characters
  • Music of Always (1958)
  • Las canciones unidas (1960)
  • Yma Sumac: The Inca Castafiore (1993)