Opera japonica/Interviews

Interviews

The American soprano Barbara Bonney made her ninth visit to Japan in September 2000. Maria Nockin talked to her about her experiences in Japan and her career as a singer.

Ian Campbell manages the San Diego Opera and chairs Opera America. Maria Nockin, who often reviews San Diego productions in these pages, talked to him about his life and work in Australia and America.

Daniel Catan's opera Salsipuedes had its world premiere on 29 October 2004 at Houston Grand Opera. He was interviewed by Maria Nockin in September 2004.

In May and June 2002, Juan Diego Flórez sang Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia for the Bologna Opera in Japan. Maria Nockin asked him about his musical background in Peru, education in America and the beginning of his career in Italy.

Richard Gaddes is the new General Director of the Santa Fe Opera. On her 2001 visit, Maria Nockin called on him at the 'Opera Ranch' to talk about his career, Santa Fe, and the presentation of works in the original language using translated titles.

Galina Gorchakova made her name singing Renata in Prokofiev's The Fiery Angel in St Petersburg, but recently demonstrated a new (and successful) versatility with a Norma in San Diego conducted by Richard Bonynge. Maria Nockin talked to her about her career in Russia and abroad.

Susan Graham sang Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier in the Met production that toured Japan in 2001. Before she left America, she talked to Maria Nockin about her musical background, career and future plans.

Ken Howard is one of today's finest opera photographers, Maria Nockin talked to him about his work and his enthusiasm for music theatre.

Journalist turned opera producer, Speight Jenkins, celebraties his 20th year with Seattle Opera in August 2003. Maria Nockin interviewed him about his lifelong enthusiasm for the art form, and ongoing work in Seattle.

Five special performances of Madama Butterfly for senior high school students ended the 1999-2000 season at the New National Theatre in Tokyo in July. Simon Holledge interviewed Toshi Yotsumoto, Director of Planning and Production at the New National Theatre, and talked to senior high school students and teachers about the project on 17 July 2000.

On 15 June 2000, the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis gave the world premiere of The Tale of Genji by Minoru Miki to an English text by Colin Graham, who also staged the work. Simon Holledge interviewed Minoru Miki, and the feature includes pictures of the production as well as video and sound files of Miki's other operas. Colin Graham graciously gave permission to publish his Libretto of the Tale of Genji.

Californian soprano Catherine Naglestad's international career has taken off in spectacular style since she left her former home base at the Stuttgart Opera in 2003. Ruth C Jacobs interviewed her backstage after a performance of Norma in San Francisco on 26 October 2005.

The introductory feature in January 2000 was an interview with Hiroshi Oga. He talked to Simon Holledge about the development of Japanese opera, the Nihon Opera Kyokai (of which he is the General Director), and his own personal achievements looking back over the past 40 years.

Tokyo-born conductor Kazushi Ono will succeed Antonio Pappano as the Musical Director of La Monnaie in Brussels in the autumn of 2002. Simon Holledge interviewed him on 22 August 2000. He talked about his career, his hopes for Brussels, and his views about opera in Japan.

On 30 November 2001 the Dallas Opera gave the first performance of Thérèse Raquin, a new opera by Tobias Picker. Maria Nockin interviewed the Creative Team, responsible for commissioning, writing, producing and performing the new work.

The young Argentine tenor Dario Volonté made the outstanding Tokyo debut of 2000 in the Fujiwara production of Lucia di Lammermoor. In January 2001 he returned to sing Manrico at the New National Theatre. Simon Holledge and Veronica Vicente talked to him about his life and about his music.


	Interviews The American soprano Barbara Bonney made her ninth visit to Japan in September 2000. Maria Nockin talked to her about her experiences in Japan and her career as a singer. Ian Campbell manages the San Diego Opera and chairs Opera America. Maria Nockin, who often reviews San Diego productions in these pages, talked to him about his life and work in Australia and America. Daniel Catan's opera Salsipuedes had its world premiere on 29 October 2004 at Houston Grand Opera. He was interviewed by Maria Nockin in September 2004. In May and June 2002, Juan Diego Flórez sang Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia for the Bologna Opera in Japan. Maria Nockin asked him about his musical background in Peru, education in America and the beginning of his career in Italy. Richard Gaddes is the new General Director of the Santa Fe Opera. On her 2001 visit, Maria Nockin called on him at the 'Opera Ranch' to talk about his career, Santa Fe, and the presentation of works in the original language using translated titles. Galina Gorchakova made her name singing Renata in Prokofiev's The Fiery Angel in St Petersburg, but recently demonstrated a new (and successful) versatility with a Norma in San Diego conducted by Richard Bonynge. Maria Nockin talked to her about her career in Russia and abroad. Susan Graham sang Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier in the Met production that toured Japan in 2001. Before she left America, she talked to Maria Nockin about her musical background, career and future plans. Ken Howard is one of today's finest opera photographers, Maria Nockin talked to him about his work and his enthusiasm for music theatre. Journalist turned opera producer, Speight Jenkins, celebraties his 20th year with Seattle Opera in August 2003. Maria Nockin interviewed him about his lifelong enthusiasm for the art form, and ongoing work in Seattle. Five special performances of Madama Butterfly for senior high school students ended the 1999-2000 season at the New National Theatre in Tokyo in July. Simon Holledge interviewed Toshi Yotsumoto, Director of Planning and Production at the New National Theatre, and talked to senior high school students and teachers about the project on 17 July 2000. On 15 June 2000, the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis gave the world premiere of The Tale of Genji by Minoru Miki to an English text by Colin Graham, who also staged the work. Simon Holledge interviewed Minoru Miki, and the feature includes pictures of the production as well as video and sound files of Miki's other operas. Colin Graham graciously gave permission to publish his Libretto of the Tale of Genji. Californian soprano Catherine Naglestad's international career has taken off in spectacular style since she left her former home base at the Stuttgart Opera in 2003. Ruth C Jacobs interviewed her backstage after a performance of Norma in San Francisco on 26 October 2005. The introductory feature in January 2000 was an interview with Hiroshi Oga. He talked to Simon Holledge about the development of Japanese opera, the Nihon Opera Kyokai (of which he is the General Director), and his own personal achievements looking back over the past 40 years. Tokyo-born conductor Kazushi Ono will succeed Antonio Pappano as the Musical Director of La Monnaie in Brussels in the autumn of 2002. Simon Holledge interviewed him on 22 August 2000. He talked about his career, his hopes for Brussels, and his views about opera in Japan. On 30 November 2001 the Dallas Opera gave the first performance of Thérèse Raquin, a new opera by Tobias Picker. Maria Nockin interviewed the Creative Team, responsible for commissioning, writing, producing and performing the new work. The young Argentine tenor Dario Volonté made the outstanding Tokyo debut of 2000 in the Fujiwara production of Lucia di Lammermoor. In January 2001 he returned to sing Manrico at the New National Theatre. Simon Holledge and Veronica Vicente talked to him about his life and about his music. 3 December 2005