Application Deadline: February 17th (Monday)

Currently, in addition to key positions such as Chairperson of the Tokyo Nikikai Opera Planning Committee, Mr. Tatara is dedicated to nurturing the next generation as a judge for various competitions, music director for choirs, and at the Nikikai Opera Training Institute.


"From now on, I want to use the time freed from the constraints of full-time university duties to further enrich my own performance activities, including German Lieder, concerts, and opera. There is much I wish to pass on to the next generation, and much I still wish to explore myself. Every day is a good day, every day is a day of study," he says.


Moving ForwardGreat East Japan EarthquakeFollowing his involvement in reconstruction support projects like the "Ode to Joy" chorus, he is scheduled to perform as Puccini in "A Certain Sunny Day: The Story of Opera Singer Tamaki Miura" and as Sharpless in "Madama Butterfly" at "Nikikai Week" held at Suntory Hall Blue Rose on June 25, 2014 (Wednesday).


At the "Michio Tatara Retirement Commemorative Concert" on March 20th (Thursday), the first part will feature opera masterpieces, including Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" (excerpts), among others. The second part will consist of J.S. Bach's cantatas (vocal works). Many musicians, including violinist Masaya Matsubara, a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, and numerous "Tatara's students" are also scheduled to perform.

July 2002 | Tokyo Nikikai & Royal Monnaie Theatre, Belgium Co-production Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" Michio Tatara (Hans Sachs) Photo: Koichi Miura

Michio Tatara Retirement Commemorative Concert

Date | March 20, 2014 (Thursday)

Start: 7:00 PM (Doors open: 6:30 PM)

Venue | Tokyo University of the Arts Concert Hall (On Campus)

Admission Fee | Free Admission (*Please apply by return postcard)

*Please note that children under school age cannot be accompanied or admitted.


How to Apply | Please write the desired number of tickets (up to 2 people), postal code, address, name (with furigana), phone number (contactable number), and mailing address on a return postcard and send it.

Mailing Address | 110-8714 12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, Department of Vocal Music

"Michio Tatara Retirement Commemorative Concert" Secretariat

Application Deadline | February 17, 2014 (Monday)

Return Postcard Mailing Schedule | February 21, 2014 (Friday)

Please note that if the number of applications exceeds the capacity, a lottery will be held.

Organizer | Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music & Tokyo University of the Arts Center for Performing Arts

Co-organizer | Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Music Douseikai

Sponsor | The Nikikai Opera Foundation

Inquiries | Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, Department of Vocal Music Tel. 050-5525-2327

Tokyo University of the Arts Center for Performing Arts Tel. 050-5525-2300

Michio Tatara | TATARA Michio

Baritone singer. A renowned vocalist whose performances are enriched by his dignified and beautiful voice and outstanding musicality.

Born in 1947 in Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture. Graduated from and completed graduate studies at Tokyo University of the Arts. Received the ATAGO Award during his studies. Recipient of the 16th Giraud Opera Prize. After a decade as a soloist in German opera houses, performing with artists such as M. Freni, R. Panerai, and F. Bonisolli, he returned to Japan. He is acclaimed as a leading interpreter of "The Messiah" and particularly of Jesus in Bach's "St. John Passion" and "St. Matthew Passion." He has a distinguished record of performances with major Japanese orchestras, including the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and his performances have earned the trust of conductors such as Takashi Asahina, Seiji Ozawa, Hiroshi Wakasugi, Yasujiro Tsutsumi, and Kazushi Ono. He has received acclaim for his performances in Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9" (conducted by Svetlanov with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and by Rostropovich with the New Japan Philharmonic), Verdi's "Requiem" (conducted by Giulini with the NHK Symphony Orchestra), and Bach's "St. John Passion" as Jesus (conducted by Masaaki Suzuki with Bach Collegium Japan, and by Sawallisch with the NHK Symphony Orchestra). He has since been active in performances of Bach's "Mass in B minor," Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand," Brahms' "A German Requiem," Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" as Jesus, Mendelssohn's "Elijah" as Elijah, Mozart's "Requiem," Fauré's "Requiem," Brahms' "A German Requiem," and Verdi's "Requiem."

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, his performances of "Requiem" in various locations, imbued with prayers for the souls of the victims and for reconstruction, have deeply moved audiences. In opera, his many signature roles include "Wozzeck" conducted by Seiji Ozawa, the title role in "The Flying Dutchman" also conducted by Ozawa, Wotan in Tokyo Nikikai's "Die Walküre," Hans Sachs in the co-production with the Royal Monnaie Theatre of Belgium's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," and as Count Almaviva, Guglielmo, Don Alfonso in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and "Le Nozze di Figaro," and Rigoletto in Verdi's "Rigoletto," as well as roles in "Shunkan," "Kesa and Morito," and "Sueyoshi-monogatari." He continues to be active, performing as Leporello in "Don Giovanni" in Xi'an and Beijing in 2012, and as the Traveller in Britten's "Curlew River" in the UK in July 2012.

CD: "Concert Hall Live: An Evening of German Lieder" (Selected Disc by Record Geijutsu Magazine).

Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. Director of the Tokyo University of the Arts Center for Performing Arts. Member of Nikikai.

Michio Tatara Introduction Blog (http://green.ap.teacup.com/musik/)