FORGOTTEN OPERA SINGERS : Tamaki Miura (Soprano) (Japan, Tokyo 1884

Jun 7, 2015

Tamaki Miura (Soprano) (Japan, Tokyo 1884 - Japan, Tokyo 1946)

Iris

Cio-Cio-San

She studied at the music academy of Tokyo and in Germany under Petzold and Sarcoli. In 1909 she appeared in Tokyo as Eurydice in ‘’Orfeo ed Euridice’’ of Gluck. In 1914 she sang at Tokyo the part of Santuzza in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’. In 1915 she came to England and at London, under sir Thomas Beecham, had a sensational success in G. Puccini’s ‘’Madama Butterfly’’. In 1915 she sang the same part at the Boston Opera. In 1918 she appeared as Cio-Cio-San at the Chicago Opera. In 1920 she sang the same part at Monte Carlo and Barcelona. In 1920 she performed at the Chicago Opera the leading role in the première of the opera ‘’Madame Chrysanthème’’ of Messager, which she repeated then also at the Lexington Theatre in New York. She appeared with success also in Italy, where she sang in 1921 at the Teatro Costanzi in Roma and in many other stages. In 1924, as a member of the San Carlo Opera Company, she toured North America. In the 1926-1927 season, similar tour with own opera troupe. In 1926 she sang at the San Francisco Opera in the premiere of the opera ‘’Namiko San’’of Aldo Franchetti, composed specially for her. In 1930 she returned to her Japanese native country, but in 1932 again travelled around Italy. Up to her death she remained in Japan and was active as a broadcasting company singer. Still a few days before her death she sang in Tokyo. Her autobiography (‘’Madama Butterfly’’) appeared in 1969 in Tokyo. Tamaki Miura was the first and the most significant Japanese singers, who excited a sensation as Cio-Cio-San. Toshiko Hasewaga, Nobuko Hara, Theiko Kiwa, Hizi Koyke, Yovita Fuentes, Isang Tapales among other things counted to her successors.

Chronology of some appearances

1909 Tokyo Opera Orfeo ed Euridice (Eurydice)
1914 Tokyo Opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1915 London Opera Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1915 Boston Opera Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1918 Chicago Opera Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1920 Opéra de Monte-Carlo Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1920 Chicago Opera Madame Chrysanthème (Madame Chrysanthème)
1921 Roma Teatro Costanzi Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1926 San Francisco Opera Namiko San (Namiko San ?)

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