Interview with Past Prizewinners
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- The 9th Competition
- Interview with Past Prizewinners
KOBORI Yusuke
MIURA Tamaki Special Prize Winner of the 7th Competition
One of the Finalists of the 8th Competition
How did you come to apply for the Mt. Fuji International Opera Competition of Shizuoka?
I decided to apply for it to see if I am heading to the right direction of my learning and to test my skills. There were no other international opera competitions in Japan at that time and it was a good opportunity for me since I have been looking for a place where I could take on a challenge of the “world” even being in Japan.
How did you feel, looking back on your challenge to this Competition?
My perspective of music has changed, and more specifically, I felt that since then I have soaked more deeply into the world of music than before.
By participating in this Competition, I could take lots of inspiration externally. I had understood the differences in the expression of music by countries then, but I could feel and learn to see how young singers from other countries perform opera. Understanding and taking in the attraction of other singers are important for my future artistic activity.
Please give a message to young singers to apply for the next competition.
You will never know how many things you didn’t know, unless you participate in the competition. You shouldn’t give up applying for the competition in fear of failure. Also, it would be a valuable experience to learn your own mental training way. This competition is large, that is, you can get a lot of inspiration. It’s a good chance to step up yourself further.
SHIGIHARA Nami
The 1st-Prize Winner of the 7th competition
What is the attraction of the Mt. Fuji International Opera Competition of Shizuoka?
This competition is the first step to a successful carrier for young singers. Everything is fascinating, including a distinguished jury to judge and a hall to be held. I would like you to apply for this competition, since it is a good opportunity to learn more about improving your skills.
What did your participation in this competition bring to you?
I was able to acquire a whole of one opera I chose for the competition. Different from other competitions, this competition is quite unique in that you have to memorize and learn a whole of one opera and you can be informed which part of it you perform on stage on the day before your performance date. So it is suited to be named “Opera Competition.” Learning about a whole of one opera would be an asset for you. In addition to that, it is very characteristic of this competition that young singers from all over the world and superb juries listen to your singing.
Please give a message to young singers to apply for the next competition.
This competition is well-organized. Financial support for expenses for traveling and accommodation helps you to participate in the competition. Also, you can concentrate on singing since volunteers give full support to you, so you should try this competition. I hope you would go to the final round and then enjoy the feeling of pleasure, tension, and achievement by singing with a great conductor and orchestra, because there is not so much chance to sing accompanied by an orchestra in an orchestra pit.
