Yoko Watanabe, pioneer Japanese opera singer, dies at 51

Yoko Watanabe, pioneer Japanese opera singer, dies at 51

TOKYO, Japan - Yoko Watanabe (in an undated file photo), the first Japanese soprano to have performed in a lead role in all the world's four top opera houses, died of heart failure at her home in Milan on July 15, the Japan Opera Foundation said on July 16. She was 51. The four opera houses include La Scala in Milan and Wiener Staatsoper in Vienna. After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, she studied in Italy and completed a program at a research institute attached to La Scala.

Mayuzumi died

Mayuzumi died

Toshiro MAYUZUMI (1929-1997), composer, is responsible for introducing electronic musin to Japan and his XYZ (1953) was the first Japanese work composed in the manner of musique concrete. Influenced by Buddhism and Asian cultures, in 1958 he composed the symphony ""Nehan "" (Nirvana) and in 1963 the cantata ""Keka"" (Repentance). In 1976 he composed an opera based on Mishima Yukio's novel ""Kinkakuji"" that was first performed by the Berlin Opera. Mayuzumi was also politically oriented, denying, like some right-wing Japanese politicians, Japan's wartime aggression. (Picture was taken in February 11, 1989 at ""Ceremony or Japanese National Foundation"".)

Yoko Watanabe, pioneer Japanese opera singer, dies at 51

Yoko Watanabe, pioneer Japanese opera singer, dies at 51

TOKYO, Japan - Yoko Watanabe (in an undated file photo), the first Japanese soprano to have performed in a lead role in all the world's four top opera houses, died of heart failure at her home in Milan on July 15, the Japan Opera Foundation said on July 16. She was 51. The four opera houses include La Scala in Milan and Wiener Staatsoper in Vienna. After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, she studied in Italy and completed a program at a research institute attached to La Scala. (Kyodo)