Midori Umetsu

The Japanese coloratura soprano Midori Umetsu earned a degree in English and American Literature from Aoyama Gakuin University before dedicating herself to opera. During her university studies, after attending an opera performance, she was inspired to pursue a career in vocal music.

She later obtained a degree in music from the Tokyo College of Music, graduating with top honors in vocal performance. She appeared at the 83rd Yomiuri Newcomers Concert and completed further studies at the Prayner Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna, receiving unanimous approval from the jury. She also refined her operatic training at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, attending its renowned opera course.

She studied voice with Hiroko Hayama, Yoshiaki Shinozaki, Jun Takahashi, Ralf Döring, Yayoi Döring, and Rainer Trost.

In opera, she has performed a wide repertoire including Lakmé (Lakmé), Fiakermilli (Arabella), Musetta (La Bohème), Madame Herz (Der Schauspieldirektor), Norina (Don Pasquale), and Armgard in the Japanese premiere of Rheingold Fairies (Tokyo Opera Produce), among others.

She has also performed the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute at the Schönbrunn Theatre in Vienna, Papagena at the Nissay Theatre, and Juliette in Roméo et Juliette (Tokyo Opera Produce).

More recently, she performed the lead role of Princess Ilia at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in the musical drama Mr. Simigdáli or the Gentleman Made of Groats. She has also sung Olympia in Les Contes d’Hoffmann and the Queen of the Night at the New National Theatre Tokyo. She has appeared with Fujisawa City Opera and again at the New National Theatre Tokyo in the same role.

She is also active as a concert soloist, having recently toured Japan as soloist with the Strauss Kapelle Vienna. She has collaborated with orchestras including the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Franz Lehár Orchestra, Gunma Symphony Orchestra, Mt. Fuji Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Izumi Sinfonietta Osaka, Pacific Philharmonia Tokyo, and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

Her album Märchen was released by Octavia Records. She also appeared in the short film APPLAUSE, performing its theme music, expanding her artistic activity beyond the opera stage. She is an artist of the Public Hall Music Vitalization Project (Onkatsu) and a part-time lecturer at Yamagata University.