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BIOGRAPHY OF
HARMONIA OPERA COMPANY Harmonia Opera Company, only Japanese Opera Company in the United States, was created by Emiko Iinuma in 1981 for the purpose of promoting an artistic bond between Japan and America, training the young singers and providing them with performance experiences. Our company presents operas that embody both styles of this mutual musical inspiration. We perform, in the greater New York area, operas, which portray Japanese culture in a manner enjoyable and intelligible to American tastes. United States performances of YUZURU, MADAME CHRYSANTHÈME, IRIS, MADAMA BUTTERFLY, GOMBO GITSUNE, OSHO TO KOZO, FOX AND OTTER, A STORY OF THREE WOMEN, AMANJAKU AND PRINCESS URIKO, TOJIN OKICHI, and FLOWER DRUM SONG have made it possible for us to realize these goals. Harmonia Opera presented the world premieres DANNY BOY by Toya, and NEW HOPE by Robin Berger, and the American premiere of the Japanese opera AYAME written by prominent novelist Yukio Mishima at Merkin Concert Hall, near Lincoln Center, and received an excellent review by The New York Times. In 1996, Harmonia Opera celebrated its 15th Anniversary at Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College with World Premieres of THE STREETS OF JAPAN arranged by Robin Berger, and a Japanese Version of MAGIC FLUTE by Mozart with orchestra, costumes, and scenery. In 1995, Harmonia Opera Company performed in the Venezuela International Festival. In 1998, Harmonia Opera presented its 16th Anniversary at Miller Theatre, Columbia University with two American premieres: SAYONARA and WARRIOR'S RED JACKET. In 1998, Harmonia Opera Company presented the Premiere of PRINCESS KAGUYA at Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College. Harmonia Opera Company was awarded the Grant from the Japan Foundation, Center for Global Partnership, and gave a Lecture & Demonstration and performed the Opera AMANJAKU AND PRINCESS URIKO at the Middlebury College, Vermont on July 28, 2000. On October 11, 2000, Harmonia Opera had tremendous success in presenting the World Premiere of HAIBO in English. The libretto was written and composed by Christian McLeer. On November 26, 2000, Harmonia Opera performed Highlights from Opera and Musicals in Guatemala. On November 1, 2001, Harmonia Opera Company celebrated its 20th Anniversary with four operas highlights presented in the last 20 years: MADAMA BUTTERFLY, THE STORY OF THREE WOMEN, HAIBO, and the Japanese Version of Mozart's MAGIC FLUTE, and the special performances by the renowned Metropolitan Opera singers Lucine Amara, and Russell Christopher at Merkin Concert Hall with Chamber Ensemble, sets and costumes. On October 26, 2002, Harmonia Opera celebrated 21st Anniversary with American Premiere of KESA AND MORITO, renowned historical story from the TALE OF HEIKE at Merkin Concert Hall. On January 11, 2003, Queens Museum of Arts invited Harmonia Opera to perform IMAGE OF JAPAN. Also on March 22, 2003, Adams Memorial Opera House in Derry, New Hampshire is inviting Harmonia Opera to perform the EAST MEETS WEST which includes traditional Japanese Songs and Dance, Japanese Opera, Highlights from the best of Broadway Musicals, and Operas. On November 5, 2003, Harmonia is celebrated 22nd Anniversary with World Premiere of Noh Opera KANTAN based on the legendary Noh Play of Japan, music and English lyrics by Robin Berger, and THE STREETS OF JAPAN, Japanese Folksong Medley arranged by Robin Berger at the Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College, New York City. On Friday, May 21, 2004, 8:00 p.m., Harmonia Opera presented BENEFIT CONCERT FOR YOUNG TALENTS at Christ and Saint Stephens Church, 120 West 69th Street. Harmonia Opera celebrated 23rd Anniversary with Revival of popular Kabuki Opera “HAIBO” English Lyric and Music by Christian McLeer on Tuesday, October 5, 2004, 8:00 p.m., at Merkin Concert Hall. On April 29, 2005, Harmonia Opera presented “THE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR YOUNG TALENTS AND TSUNAMI ORPHANS” at the Christ and Saint Stephens Church, 120 West 69th Street. Special Guest Artist is Lucine Amara, renowned Soprano of former Metropolitan Opera Company. On November 17, 2005, Harmonia had an overwhelming success with full house enthusiastic audience gave them a long standing ovation to celebrate 24th Anniversary with American Premiere of famous historical hero NASU NO YOICHI at the Merkin Concert Hall. On November 6, 2006, Harmonia Opera celebrated the 25th Anniversary and had a tremendous success with the American Premiere of KUROFUNE composed by renowned pioneer composer Kosaku Yamada, and Script by American Journalist Percy Nowell, and received most impressive review by Richard Malone, and Patricia Stevens, producer, editor and music critics of Time Warmer Cable TV. Time Warner Cable TV broadcasted 28 nunutes documentary film on the KUROFUNE on Thursday, April 5, 2007, 1:30 p.m., on Channels 34 & 67 as well as on the website: WWW.BCAT.TV, and it has been broadcasted for 20 times as of now. On November 9, 2007, Harmonia Opera celebrated 26th Anniversary with American Premiere of ANJU AND PRINCE ZUSHI a true history of 12th Century of Japan, composed by Yutaka Makino, and popular demand revival of A STORY OF THREE WOMEN composed by Sadao Bekku at Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College. Harmonia Opera celebrated 27th Anniversary with American Premiere of EN SAGA composed by Hirokazu Sugano, and popular demand revival of AMANJAKU AND URIKOHIME composed by Hikaru Hayashi on November 6, 2008, at prestigious Merkin Concert Hall of New York City. On November 4, 2009, Harmonia will present two important premieres: American Premiere of “MUMYOU AND AISEN” written by renownd Japanese novelist Junichiro Tanizaki, and the World Premiere of “JAPANSE FOLK SONGS AND DANCE MEDLEY” at the Merkin Concert Hall.
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