MORIR POR LA ÓPERA

Magnífico recital anoche, en el Auditorio de El Chorrillo, a cargo de Hiroko Morita (soprano), acompañada al piano por Concepción Reyes. Arias de La Boheme, La Traviata, Norma, etc., en un ambiente triste que puso la nota gris de la noche. Sé que un 23 de diciembre no parece la mejor fecha para programar una gala operística, pero es lo que hay y la cultura, por poca que sea, hay que aprovecharla. Así pues, heme allí compartiendo la maravillosa música con 8 personas más en todo el auditorio. Aún así, la soprano no perdió la sonrisa en ningún momento, agradeció nuestros aplausos y además nos regaló un "O mio babbino caro".

Biography

"... Luis Alva chose for Madama Butterfly a soprano with many fine qualities, the Japanese soprano Hiroko Morita. Without a doubt has the "phisique du rol." she showed weakness and softness in the first act, vocal power and interpretation towards the end of the opera.

All this proved her to be a singer and an actress of uncommon nature. Thanks to her ability, interpretation and musical intelligence she had the power to make us understand the essence of the drama: despair at the loss of a loved one, fiving up her son and honor as the only final solution. "                                            (Daniel Roca Alàzar in “El Comercio” de Lima - 9 novembre 2008)

Japanese soprano Hiroko Morita was born in Kyoto, Japan. She graduated cum laude in Voice at the State University of  Fine Arts and  Music of Tokyo under the guidance of Mrs. Alda Noni and Mrs. Marcella Reale. She received a Master degree from the same University under the guidance of celabrated soprano Yasuko Hayashi.

She obtained scholarships from the Nomura Scholarship Foundation, the Japanese Government and the Italian government , She went on to continue her studies in Italy with Mrs. Milena Dal Piva, Mr. Dante Mazzola, Mr. Aldo Verrecchia and Mr. Rolando Nicolosi.

She participated also in a Masterclass with Mirella Freni.

She participated in many National and International Competitions, winning many prizes, Special Prize at the "National Mainici Competition" , Second Prize at the "Operatic Battle Competition", Special Prize at the "Italian and Japanese Competition" in Tokyo, Winner at “ I° International Singing Competition Villa incanto”, Finalist at "XVI° International Singing Competition Gaetano Fraschini" and at " V° International Singing Competition Anselmo Colzani".

She started her early operatic career with some important engagements such as: Micaela in Carmen,in

which she debuted ; as Mimi in La Bohème.

She also sang Alice in Falstaff ; Manon in Manon ; Pamina in Die Zauberflöte.

She was contracted at New National Theatre of Tokyo with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra as Oscar (cover) in Un Ballo in Maschera  opposite Maria Guleghina and  Alberto Cupido, conducted by M° Paolo Olmi, directed by Alberto Fassini ; as Zerlina (cover) in  Don Giovanni opposite Natale De Carolis and Ildebrando D'alcangelo conducted by M° Asher Fisch, directed by  Roberto De Simone ; she appeared 

as Amore inGluk's Orefeo ed Euridice ; as Flora in Britten's The Turn of the Screw ; as Gretel  in Hansel

 und Gretel ; as Silvia in L'isola disabitata.

Since 2000 she has lived in Italy where she has performed with great success the role of Violetta in La Traviata at the Teatro Colonne in Milan.

In 2007 she went on to make yet another debut at The Teatro delle Erbe in Milan in the title role of “Madame Butterfly” conducted by M° Roberto Gianola and at The  Bellano Lirica Festival in Lecco conducted by M° Dennis Assaf, receiving excellent critics.  

In 2008 the expected debut of Madama Butterfly  in the United States in New Orleans and Latin America at the Teatro de Bellas Artes in Bogotà (Colombia) conducted by M° Hilary Griffiths, directed by Sebastiano Salvato and the Teatro Segura in Lima (Perù), directed by Luis Alva, conducted by M° Marco Titotto. In these productions received a personal triumphant , deserving of the title of "Best Butterfly" by the famous Spanish mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza and personal appreciation of M ° Luis Alva.

In 2009 /10 She performed C. Gounod’s Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cecile at Kyoto Concert Hall, as Cio-cio-san at The Hofu Festival in Japan and as Violetta in La Traviata and as Cio-cio-san in Madama Butterfly at the Teatro Angeletti di Macerata.

She was also invited to Lima to the gala concert with the world famous  Mezzo-Soprano Teresa Berganza and Tenor Luis Alva, to Macerata (Teatro Lauro Rossi) to the gala concert for the award of Pier Luigi Pizzi.

She made her debut also as Adina in L'Elisir d'Amore at The Bellano Lirica Festival, and was engaged in the role of Violetta in La Traviata in Piacenza and in the role of Cio-cio-san at The 1st Festival  of The Castle of Masino and The 2nd International Festival of Pescara conducted  by M° Vito Lo Re, directed by Paolo Treviso and in Sardegna (Italy) directed by Enrico Stinchelli, conducted by M° Alessandro Fabrizi and in the role of Mimi in La Bohéme in Biella.

In 2010/11 She made a tour (16 performances) in spain in the role of Cio-Cio-san conducted by  M° Martin Màzik, directed by Roberta Mattelli at the important Theatres such as il Teatro Principal de Alicante, Teatro Principal di Zaragoza, Gran Teatro di Falla, Teatro La Labaral di Gihon, Teatro La Llotja di Lleida,Teatro Rojas di Toledo etc, as Cio-Cio-san in Courmayeur (Italy) directed by Massimo Pezzutti , conducted by M° Guido Maria Guida, as Mimi in La Bohéme  in NewOrleans (USA).

In 2011/12 She continued her outstanding performances of Madama Butterfly at the Teatro Municipal Jorge Eliécer Gaitan in Bogotà and at The Crespina Opera Festival in Pisa in Italy, as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte and as Mimi in La Bohéme  in Spain and France, as Nedda in Pagliacci  in Reacanati and in Japan as soloist in the Beethoven’s ninth symphony.

Hiroko Morita is also actively involved in chamber and symphonic repertoire. In addition to numerous recitals in Milan, Busseto, Pavia, Cremona, Bergamo, Macerata, Tokyo, Kyoto, She sang in several productions of the Stabat Mater by G. Rossini's and G. B. Pergolesi, the Magnificat and Gloria by A.Vivaldi and  She is regularly invited to Japan as soloist in the Beethoven’s ninth symphony, performing with the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Sachio Fujioka, currently working with "Nuovo insieme strumentale italiano" on the project of the Verdi's chamber songs.

She recentery performed as Micaela in Carmen in Spain and France, as Cio-Cio-san at the Teatro Coliseu do Porto in Portogallo conducted by M° Jose Maria Moreno, directed by Ignacio Garcia and  in Bari with great success.

http://hirokomorita.wix.com/soprano#!bio/vstc4=english