Miura, Tamaki (1884–1946)

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Miura, Tamaki (1884–1946)

Japanese soprano . Born on February 22, 1884, in Tokyo, Japan; died on May 26, 1946, in Tokyo.

Tamaki Miura, recognized as Japan's first international opera star, was born in Tokyo on February 22, 1884. She studied with the famous opera teacher Junker while still in Japan, and then moved to Germany to complete her training with Petzold and Sarcoli. Miura returned to Tokyo to make her debut in Gluck's Euridice in 1909. Her fame quickly became international, and she appeared at the London Opera House in 1915, with the Chicago Civic Opera in 1918, and in Rome in 1921. She also toured the United States with the Naples opera company in 1924. Composer Aldo Franchetti was so impressed with Miura's voice that he wrote an opera, Namiko-San, specifically for her, which she premiered at the Chicago Civic Opera in 1925. She died in Tokyo on May 26, 1946.

Grant Eldridge , freelance writer, Pontiac, Michigan