On The Path of Dreams: Art Songs of Japan

In this concert, soprano Ayako Ohtake (SBS Japan's VIVA! Opera) shares and performs some of the most beautiful and well-known art songs from Japan. Ayako is joined by pianist and associate artist Meena Ahn making her Blush Opera debut. Japan's art song history represents centuries of exciting fusion of Japanese aesthetics with European romanticism. Ayako and Meena will perform a selection from different decades and composers including songs by Yoshinao Nakada, Kousaku Yamada, and Makiko Kinoshita.

This concert will also include the premiere of a new composition by Blush Opera co-artistic director, Paul Smith, written collaboratively with Ayako and based on the writings of 9th century waka poet, Ono no Komachi.

Song lyrics will be provided in both Japanese and English translation.

Blush Opera主催のこのコンサートでは、日本の芸術歌曲に焦点を当て、ソプラノ歌手のAyako Ohtake（大武彩子）(SBS日本語放送（ラジオ）「Viva! Opera」ホスト）が、Blush Opera初登場となるピアニストでアソシエイト・アーティストのMeena Ahnとともに、最も美しい、あるいは知名度の高い日本の名曲の数々をお届けします。日本の芸術歌曲の歴史は、日本の美学と欧州のロマンティシズムとの数世紀にわたる刺激的な融合の歴史でもあります。武満徹、中田喜直、山田耕作、木下牧子など、異なる時代に生まれたさまざまな作曲家の作品を、二人の演奏でお楽しみください。

さらにこのコンサートでは、Blush Operaの共同芸術監督である作曲家のPaul Smithによる新作初演も予定されています。日本を代表する9世紀の女流歌人である小野小町の和歌にもとづき、Ayakoとの共同作業によって生まれた本作にもどうぞご期待ください。

演奏曲目の歌詞は、日本語と英訳の両方で配布/表示予定です。

Recital Artists

Soprano - Ayako Ohtake

Ayako Ohtake is a soprano currently based in Sydney who has appeared as a soloist with acclaimed Australian orchestras such as Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. In Europe, she made her German debut in 2020 as a concert soloist with Göttinger Symphonie Orchestra. In addition to operatic repertoire, she also performs sacred music, as well as in various concert settings regularly in Australia and Japan.

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Ayako completed her Masters at the Royal Academy of Music in London, UK and also holds a PhD from the Kunitachi College of Music in Japan with the highest honours. In Australia, Ayako is an alumna of Pacific Opera, Coast Opera Australia and Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program. Competition highlights include the second prize in Lockwood New Zealand Aria.

Ayako has been the host of SBS Japan's radio program VIVA! Opera since 2021.

Piano - Meena Ahn

Meena Ahn is a distinguished pianist and educator with over 25 years experience. A graduate of Sydney Conservatorium, where she was a four-time scholarship recipient, Meena studied with Natalia Sheludiakova, as well as in Germany under Professor Felix Gottlieb. After a decade-long career detour into business administration, Meena returned to teaching and performing post-COVID. She currently works at St Catherine’s School and Redlands, continuing to shape the next generation of musicians with her dedication. She has performed on SBS Radio Korean Broadcast and ABC Classic FM, and served as an orchestral pianist for Sydney Youth Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony, and North Sydney Symphony. Early in her career, Meena won the Gold prize at the 2004 DPRK Spring International Arts Festival and played a key role in Sydney’s Korean community with various music projects. 

Getting to the Venue

Church Street Studios is about 15 minutes walking from Newtown Station or 15 minutes by bus from Central station. There is also free unmetered parking nearby. More information can be found at the venue website here.

There are a range of local restaurants for dinner before the concert. More information can be found at the venue website here.

Concert Support

This event is supported by the University of New England Asia Pacific Network.