Watanabe, Yoko (1953–2004)

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Watanabe, Yoko (1953–2004)

Japanese soprano. Born 1953 in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan; died of cancer, July 15, 2004, in Milan, Italy; graduate of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, 1976, then studied in Milan; m. Renato Grimaldi (Italian tenor).

Renowned for her Cio-Cio-San, began career as a dancer and pianist; moved to Milan (1976); made professional debut as Nedda in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in Treviso, Italy (1978); made La Scala debut as Liu in Puccini's Turandot (1985); during 20 year career, sang other Puccini heroines, as well as roles in works of Mozart, Verdi, Gounod and Bizet; as Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly, made debuts at Royal Opera (1983), Lyric Opera of Chicago (1986) and Metropolitan Opera (1987); also sang at the Vienna Staatsoper; was the 1st Japanese to sing lead roles in the world's four major opera houses.