Friends of Opera support Tsunami & Earthquake Victims in 2011 Japan

by Wis Jablonski, V-P

A sizeable contingent of Friends of Opera members joined over 400 guests at the Somerset College Performing Arts Theatre to express their support for the victims of the 2011 Japan’s double disaster.

The event “Japanese and Opera Charity Gala Concert 2015” has been organized by a lovely and enthusiastic local Mezzo-Soprano Ms Emi Yoshida. She invited a number of the national and international opera stars to contribute with their talent and zeal to this worthy cause.

The programme was a classical mix of Japanese,  Italian and French musical pieces with a few popular songs that made the evening a memorable occasion.

In the first part the performing artists have worn traditional, elaborate Japanese costumes, while in the part two of the evening they were dressed in the glittering evening attires.

great costumes & moves

Yumi Lewis, Yuumi, Emi and compere

There were arias from the famous operas like Puccini’s O mio babbino caro sang by impressive Yuumi Karakawa, Flower Duet from Delibes’ Lakme sang by Yuumi and Emi, Un bel di vedremo from Madama Butterfly and Habanera from Carmen sang by the internationally acclaimed Judit Molnar to name only a few.We were also given a taste of the traditional Japanese dancing, drumming and beautifully harmonised choir songs. The drummer Yukiko Nihei impressed us with the ways she skilfully changed the rhythms and volumes of her powerful drums, not an easy feat, with or without musical accompaniment.

Those were followed by brindisi – Libiamo, libiamo from La Traviata sang by the whole company and popular musical songs “Pie Jesu” and “Time to say good bye”.

There has been a very moving moment when Yummi and Emi performed the Japanese remembrance ceremony for the victims of this horrible dual disaster.

The concert has been a great success and, on behalf of Friends of Opera I congratulate Emi Yoshida for her fine effort and wish her the best in her musical and entrepreneurial endeavours in the future. I would also like to thank our members who contributed to that commendable cause.

Yukiko and dancing troupe

Yuumi, Wis and Emi

Yuumi Karakawa

Japanese dancers

Marvellous Judit Molnar

Yukiko Nihei, drum wizard

Margit & Judit

fabulous movements

opera admirer

Diva and Wis

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