<English | 日本語>
Tokyo International Singers is an independent non-church-affiliated chorus. Founded in 1980 by Carol and Marcel L'Esperance, it has as its purpose the performance of great choral works during the year and lighter music for summer concerts. The chorus has given more than 60 concerts over the past 17 years. Western members and Japanese members have the opportunity to meet, share interests and form friendships through their love of music. For Japanese members the chorus has provided the opportunity to perform music rarely attempted by Japanese choirs and to receive training under a foreign conductor. Members come from countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Holland, the Philippines, Scotland, Slovenia, the U.S.A., Zimbabwe, and Japan. The chorus performs at such venues as Suntory Hall and Ishibashi Memorial Hall. Their patrons have included ambassadors from five European countries as well as the European Communities and the U.S.A.
Joining the Tokyo International Singers at all major concerts is the L'Esperance Singers, a professional level choral ensemble, which was established in 1986. The ensemble has appeared on NHK television. Some of the members have been featured as soloists with TIS.
Marcel L'Esperance, conductor, has had over 30 years of experience as a trainer of choral groups. Born in Massachusetts of French Canadian parents, he grew up in a bilingual environment. He studied at Boston College, Boston University, Claremont Graduate School and the University of Illinois. He studied under several internationally recognised master conductors, such as Robert Shaw of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorale; Dr. Charles Hirt of the University of Southern California; and Helmut Rilling of Stuttgart, Germany. His major voice teacher was the renowned American bass, William Warfield, who made his reputation as Porgy in Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess and was in the movie of the musical Showboat. L'Esperance founded the Tokyo International Singers in 1980. He also conducts the Chiba International Singers, the International Women's Chorus and the L'Esperance Singers.
Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle
With his customary bent for whimsy, Rossini described this work
as ``the last mortal sin of my old age.'' He then added: ``Dear
God. This poor little Mass is completed. Have I for once written
real sacred music or merely damned music? I was born for opera
buffa as Thou knowest! Little skill, but some heart; that about
sums it up. So blessed be Thou, and grant me paradise.''
But this remarkable Mass is not ``little'' in dimension. Nor is
there any levity in its music, which is, throughout, reverent and
noble. Indeed, this is Rossini's most consistently inspired
choral work - an eloquent testimony that there was nothing wrong
with his creative resources, imagination, or technical skill,
even in old age. Meyerbeer, who attended the première on March
14, 1868, was beside himself with delight. He called the fugue, `Cum
sancto spiritu,' the ``finest composition of its kind ever
written.'' He further exclaimed: ``In two months he has created a
whole world. He is the Jupiter of our time and holds us all in
the hollow of his hand.''
Michiko Yuri (soprano)
Born in Nagoya. Graduated from the music course at Meiwa
Prefectural High School in Aichi Prefecture. Graduated in voice
from the Tokyo National
University of Fine Arts and Music. Received a Master's Degree
from the same institution. Studied under Eiko Seyama, Atsuko
Azuma and Seijirô Hikita. Made her opera debut as Zerlina in Don
Giovanni. Performed such roles as Barbarina in Le nozze di
Figaro and Mercedes in Carmen. Performed soprano solos
with orchestra in works such as Beethoven's Ninth and Haydn's The
Seasons. Interested in the relationship between classical
Japanese music and Western music; currently researching Japanese
vocal music. Held recitals in 1990 (Nagoya), 1992 (Nagoya), 1993
(Tokyo), 1995 (Tokyo). Reviewed favorably in newspapers. In
January 1996, performed a program of Japanese music in Rome and
Milan. Aside from her activity as a soloist, is also a member of
the Musa Vocal Ensemble and the Tokyo Choral Association. Also
conducts the women's choir ``Mine no Kai'' and the mixed choir
``Wings,'' and is the voice trainer for the Kita Ward Mixed
Choir.
Namiko Tanaka (alto)
Graduated in voice from the Tokyo
National University of Fine Arts and Music. Graduated in
performer training and Lieder from the Staatliche
Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst Stuttgart. While in
Germany, performed numerous oratorio solos and concerts, mainly
in Stuttgart but also in places such as Kiel, Passau, Ermau
Castle and Lindach Castle. After performing at the Mozart
Festival and recording an oratorio for radio broadcast, returned
to Japan. On returning, performed in such operas as Hänsel
und Gretel, Die Zauberflöte, and Albert Herring,
as a soloist in major works such as oratorios by Bach, Mozart and
Händel, as well as German and Japanese vocal works and other
music. In 1992, performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall in New
York, and was reviewed favorably. Currently a Nikikai member.
Also a member of the Japan H. Wolf society. A member of the
Yokohama City Opera and its managing committee. An instructor at
Ferris Women's College. Has studied voice with Toshiko Toda and
Lore Fischer, interpretation of Lieder with Konrad
Richter, and stage diction with Uta Kutter.
Shoichiro Suehiro (Tenor)
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. Graduated in voice from the Tokyo National University of Fine
Arts and Music. Studied with Norikazu Iwatsu, Kuninori
Shiraishi and Shûichi Takahashi. In October 1985, during the
Ministry of Culture Arts Festival, performed the tenor solo in
the Japan première of a rarely performed Brahms mass. In July
1992, held a recital at the Kanagawa Prefectural Small Hall. Has
performed as a soloist in many concerts, including the Mozart Requiem.
As the voice trainer for Chiba International Singers, was a
featured soloist in their tenth anniversary concert. Currently an
instructor at the Chiba College of Economics High School.
Tetsuro Kitamura (baritone)
Graduated in voice, and received his Masters Degree with highest
honor in solo singing, from the Tokyo National University of Fine
Arts and Music. Studied voice under Akihiko Fujinuma,
Noriyuki Itoh and Teiichi Nakayama. Started studies in 1989 at
the Hochschule für Musik ``Carl von Weber'' Dresden. Studied
voice under Elisabeth Brän. Took a class in Lieder from
Gertrold Geissler. Received in-depth training in musical
expression and interpretation of Lieder as chamber music
from Amadeus Weberdinke. At the international summer symposia at
Salzburg, participated in a Lied duo workshop with
Hartmund Hell and Mitsuko Shirai, and won the Singer
Encouragement Prize. Upon graduation in 1991, signed a contract
with the Gerlitz Opera Theater. Besides performing there, also
was active as a concert soloist in such works as Brahms' Deutsches
Requiem. Received high reviews for a concert of German vocal
music. Returned to Japan in 1993. Besides training his students
at Shôbi Gakuen Junior College, is also busy performing oratorio
solos and singing Lieder.
Akemi Watanabe (pianist)
Akemi Watanabe, principal accompanist for Tokyo International
Singers and the L'Esperance Singers, studied at the Vienna
Academy in Austria after completing her piano studies at Toho
Music University with Hiroshi Miura. She has been a featured
pianist on NHK and TBS. As an accompanist, she has worked with
many members of the Nikikai Opera Co. and with many prominent
musicians. She was the accompanist for Tokyo International
Singers in Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle and Poulenc's Sept
Répons des Ténèbres and co-accompanist for the L'Esperance
Singers in Brahms' Liebeslieder Walzer. Her skills include
all kinds of repertoire from folk to jazz to classical music of
various styles and periods. In addition to her work as an
accompanist Ms Watanabe is a master teacher of many students in
her private studio.
Sachiko Nagatoishi (organist)
Born in 1951 in Tokyo. Received a Master's Degree in Music from
the New England Conservatory in Boston. Studied with William
Porter and Bernard Lagacé. Organist at International Christian
University from 1983. Has been active both in solo recitals and
as an accompanist for ensembles. Currently working as an editor
for the Japanese edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and
Musicians. Gives many recitals in Japan and European countries,
such as Germany and France.
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Verdi, the greatest of all Italian composers of opera, was
inspired to write music for his Requiem afer the death of
Rossini in 1868. His ``Libera me'' was to be part of a requiem
mass written by seven leading Italian composers. This project was
not finalized, but five years later, in 1873, Verdi was moved to
compose a requiem mass dedicated to his dear friend, the
statesman and author Manzoni. He included the ``Libera me''
composed earlier for the Rossini project. This requiem was first
performed on May 23, 1874 at St. Mark's Church in Milan, Italy
under Verdi's direction. Verdi's Requiem is the most
dramatic setting of the mass for the dead, and has become a
favorite concert piece for all opera lovers and concert goers.
Komomo Yamazaki (soprano)
Studied at the Tokyo National
University of Fine Arts and Music, and made her operatic
debut with the Nikikai Opera Studio. Won second prize at the
Japan and Italy Vocal Competition in Tokyo, followed by major
prizes at such competitions as the Terni International Opera
Competition, the Maria Caniglia International Vocal Competition
and the G. Puccini International Vocal Competition. Started
studying with Angelo Marenzi in 1989. Performed the title role of
Tosca at the G. Verdi Opera Theatre in Italy in 1989, and
in the Czech Republic in 1992. In 1993, performed the role of
Donna Elvira from Don Giovanni in Japan. In 1994,
performed the title role of Madama Butterfly at such
French venues as the Théâtre de Grenoble, the Théâtre de Aix
le Bain, the Théâtre Municipal de Privas, the Théâtre Edwig
Feullère, the Théâtre de Chelleuse, and the Théâtre de
Longjumeau. In 1995, performed Madama Butterfly and Dvořák's Stabat Mater in
Japan. Currently a member of the Nikikai Opera Company.
Misato Iwamori (mezzo-soprano)
Born in Tokyo. Graduate of Kunitachi Music University. Made her
operatic debut with the Nikikai Opera Studio. Studied at the
Ministry of Culture Opera Training Institute. Received a grant
from the Ministry of Culture to study in Vienna.
Upon completing the Nikikai Opera Studio, won special prize for
her title role in Carmen. Went on to sing various roles in such
operas as Le nozze di Figaro, Die Walküre, The
Merry Wives of Windsor, Madama Butterfly, Götterdammerung,
Das Rheingold, Cavalleria Rusticana, Rigoletto,
Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Sang the title
role in a performance of Carmen commemorating the 40th
anniversary of the Nikikai Opera Company.
Held her first recital at Ongaku no Tomo Hall in September 1994.
Has been active as a soloist in such works as Beethoven's Ninth,
Verdi's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem and Händel's Messiah.
Currently a member of Nikikai Opera Company and Tokyo Chamber
Opera.
Mitsuhiko Ohno (tenor)
Graduated from Kunitachi Music University. Studied under the late
Shizu Nishiuchi, Tadahiko Hirano and Norifumi Nagai. After
graduating, entered the Nikikai Chorus. Won second prize in the
Nikka La Traviata Alfredo Contest. Made his opera debut in
May 1989 as Alfredo in La Traviata, followed in September
by the role of Don Jose in Carmen. In August 1994, studied
in Italy, and sang Alfredo in La Traviata at the Ljubljana
National Theatre in Slovenia. Currently a member of the Nikikai
Opera Company.
Has performed with the Tokyo International Singers in Dvořák's Stabat
Mater, Händel's Messiah and Mozart's Requiem.
Yuji Ogawa (baritone)
Graduated from the voice department at the Tokyo National University of Fine
Arts and Music. Won second prize in the 22nd Japanese-Italian
Vocal Contest. Made his debut in opera as Marcello in the Geidai
Opera performance of La Bohème, afterwards performing in
numerous operas and gaining valuable stage experience. Recently,
he has been performing major baritone roles such as Escamillo in Carmen,
Tonio and Silvio in I Pagliacci, Sharpless from Madama
Butterfly, Germont in La Traviata, and Marcello in La
Bohème.
Received particularly high ratings for his Germont role in the
September 1989 Nikikai performance of La Traviata, his
Marcello role in the March 1994 Tokyo Opera Proteus production of
La Bohème and his Scarpia role in the September 1995
Tokyo Opera Proteus production of Tosca.
In 1982, participated in the Israel Festival as a member of the
Tokyo Chamber Opera. In July 1990, performed in the Nikikai
special performance of Madama Butterfly at the Savonlinna
Opera Festival in Finland.
Has performed many major religious and orchestral concerts,
including Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Has also been active in
recitals and joint recitals.
Is currently an assistant professor at the Kokugakuin University
Tochigi Junior College, and a member of the Nikikai Opera
Company.
Ruth Kerr (soprano)
Ruth Kerr was born in London, England in 1975. She studied piano
from age 4. She later attended Cambridge from October 1993, where
she won scholarships in voice, piano and flute. While at
Cambridge she performed as a soprano soloist in Bach's cantatas Ich
habe genug and Wachet auf, in Mendelssohn's Hear
my prayer and in Haydn's ``Theresien'' Mass. She also gave
recitals of Debussy's Ariettes Oubliées and Messiaen's Poèmes
pour Mi. Ruth has been featured in The Sound of Music
and The Wizard of Oz. She has gone on orchestra and choral
tours to France, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland and the Czech
Republic. Presently in Japan she is a participant in the
Monbushô JET program. She is continuing her vocal training with
Mikiko Hashimoto in Tokyo.