Yma Sumac

Born

1923-09-10

Died

2008-11-01

Birthplace

Ichocan, Cajamarca, Peru

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).