Akiko Nakajima / Vocal / Vienna, Austria


Moved to Australia at the age of 15 and received a music education in Sydney. Debuted at the Opera Houses in Sydney and Melbourne after winning the Australian Open in 1990. In 1999, he signed an exclusive singer contract with Volksoper Vienna, and gained overwhelming popularity due to his outstanding singing ability, acting ability, and gorgeous presence.Became a top star in the theater.One of the attractions is its wide repertoire, from the Italian Bel Canto opera to contemporary works such as Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, and Philip Glass.
 
――First of all, please tell us a brief background.

Nakajima I was born in Hokkaido and grew up in Kushiro until I was 10 years old.Due to the work of my father, a doctor of engineering, I moved to Tokyo after that, and to Sydney, Australia from the age of 15.Because of my father who loves music, music has been around since I was little.While attending the Sydney Conservatory of Music, I took individual vocal lessons for three years under the guidance of a professional instructor. In 3, for the first time in Japan, I won the Australian Opera Competition.I had a chance to go to Europe as a supplementary prize at that time, but since I made my debut at the opera house, I was active in Australia for a year.After that, I got a job from the Academy of Ancient Music in England, and after a two-month vacation at the Sydney Opera House, I went to London.Of course, I couldn't stay still in London, so I actively participated in competitions and auditions.
 
――It was London, not Vienna directly.

Nakajima Yes.First I went to London and then to the Netherlands and participated in an international competition.I tried to test my strength to see what the level was in Europe.
 
――How was the result at that time?

Nakajima won the 3rd place.Thanks to all of the sensei's voices and useful information, I decided to go to Italy next time.So, in Italy, I went to the theater directly or called to ask if I was auditioning.
 
――Is it like a dive visit?

Nakajima Yes, I was quite surprised.Normally, there is an agent to negotiate, but in my case I was a newcomer and no one helped me, so I decided to give it a try and took the courage to say, "I'm a 26-year-old Japanese from Australia. There is no agent. ”It was a direct negotiation.
 
――Wow! It's positive.

Nakajima That's right.There were various things, but I got a chance at 4,5 or 2 theaters, and when I noticed, I got 3 jobs in Austria and XNUMX jobs in Italy.There was also a job that suddenly rolled over.An English conductor involved in the Baroque Music Festival in Innsbruck was taught at a Dutch competition that "raising a vocalist", and I wanted to have a lesson. I searched for a partner in the phone book and asked for an appointment. I did.Then, during the lesson, sensei started talking about the protagonist getting off the board, and wouldn't you be willing to join me as the protagonist?The story changed.I had a lesson without knowing that I was the artistic director and conductor of the music festival, but I thought I would be relaxed, but I promised that I would do my best if I could coach every day, and the title role of Handel's opera "Alcina". Was memorized in two weeks and stood on the stage.It was very difficult, but it was a precious experience when I think about it now, like knowing nothing = fearless. (Lol)
 
――It's kind of dramatic, and it's a story of great development in the two years since you left Australia.

Nakajima When I think about it now, that's right. It feels like a few years have passed in no time with the two-month schedule in London, Naples and Innsbruck.The reason for moving to Europe was the story of an exclusive contract at a small theater in Innsbruck, but to be honest, I was at a loss.The Sydney Opera House is an international opera house, and its status was far higher.
 
――What was the reason for your decision?

Nakajima Actually, becoming an exclusive singer for a small, unknown local opera house!Everyone objected.But I was a Japanese who was educated in music in Australia ... I knew that I was still lacking in study, both linguistically and culturally.I knew that in Australia there was a big role that promised the future, and it would be ridiculous to throw it away in my career, but I knew that if I didn't use it now, it wouldn't be real. ..I thought it was fate that I was given so many job opportunities in Europe for the first time.I want to know more about Europe, which gave birth to opera, and I want to speak the language of singing in opera.The reason is that I wanted to sit down in this land, talk with people, and become a true cultural figure.
 
――Did you never return to Australia?

Nakajima: You haven't returned at all. He appeared only once in 1996 for the role of Musetta in Baz Luhrmann's "La Boheme".
 
――The flow is very steep. Is there anything you were particularly careful about in such a situation?

Nakajima The international workplace is not sweet.It's actually like a battlefield.If you look sweet, the singer who is next to you or behind you will immediately aim for your position.In the meantime, there are a lot of things to worry about, such as how to deal with Westerners with big bodies, and whether to do your daily work in your own way, sociably, but without overdoing it. is.Health was first.When I was absent, I took a day off and tried to make my work as enjoyable as possible.
 
――Does the fighting feel like trial and error on your own?

Nakajima That's right.There was no mark on the road I took.Since I was XNUMX years old when I moved to Sydney, how to integrate into the international community has been a big issue.There was bullying in the school, and the way they were rubbed was completely different.I often tried too hard and failed.
 
――How did you feel about the difference between Japan and overseas?

Nakajima When I felt strongly in the past, for example, it was the last day of the Dutch competition.Since I can speak my mother tongue and English, I thought that I would be able to do well in international situations.However, the Russians, Swedes, Turks, Mexicans, etc. who were there exchanged many languages ​​with excellent language skills as well as their mother tongue and English, and at the place of the last day of sociable, they made jokes and social problems. They were chicks and members of society who were artists who could deal with each other well.On the other hand, shy Japanese people tend to get together or not make jokes, and because they have little awareness as international people such as exchanging information, they can't do well and lose their chances of dating. Hey.I felt a big difference between the language studied in the textbook and the living language ability that I wanted to communicate with.I think that the fact that there are relatively few Japanese professional singers overseas is not so much a talent as it is a problem.
 
――It's a word that consists of a 20-year career.

Nakajima: I think that what you have to do is not only about technology, but also about your attitude as an artist, and you can express yourself honestly.I think I can have it and open the way.
 
――It seems difficult to teach your attitude as an artist.

Nakajima No, it's actually not that difficult.Most people are looking ahead.No matter what country you are in, you are quite prepared to study hard overseas.I wonder if the door can be easily opened with the correct key.Also, from the standpoint of teaching, it is said that a good student cannot be born from a singer who is naturally excellent, and it is said that a vocalist who is having a hard time can become a better sensei.
 
――It's hard to teach.

Nakajima In the case of vocal music, the body is an instrument, so it is important to think of techniques that suit each person.Even by incorporating new technology, the existing ones will collapse.For example, it is impossible for a dramatic singer to sing to a leggero singer as I do.I think that the ideal is to relieve bad habits and fears and restore them to their natural state.In studying a singer, it is essential to teach language, vocalization, pronunciation, understanding of the body mechanism that is a reverberation board, but not only that, but also understanding of roles of different times and positions, and philosophical things. ..
 
――The effort is completely different, isn't it?

Nakajima That's right.However, I think this system is also good.Even if you don't go to the music college, I think it's good to have a system that you can learn from sensei that you really want to learn.I am also an experienced person.
 
――Nakajima sensei will be indebted to you at the seminar in Vienna in the spring as well.By the way, I heard that music is influenced by your father, but why did you choose vocal music?

Nakajima: Song lovers may be inherited from my father.When I was still in Hokkaido, I used to sing my own songs in the wilderness.Specifically, when I was in the second year of junior high school, I had the opportunity to sing Schubert in front of all the students, and I think I woke up to vocal music at that time.However, I was tired of opera, or I didn't like it.
 
――I don't think it's going to happen like this.

Nakajima: Well, I was shocked because I came across a good opera, which was completely different from what I knew.Then I want to know more.
 
――Are there any advantages or disadvantages to being active as a singer in Vienna?

Nakajima The good thing is that Vienna always has music, and being a vocalist is respected and valued by the citizens.Since customers who go to the theater come every day, information is exchanged between customers such as "Today is compared to yesterday", so I think that the challenge of every day is a good thing for those who sing.Perhaps it's a bad point, there are occasional ad libs by the performers, but I can't handle it, so I'm asking you to stop.Of course, since I am a professional, I can proceed on the stage according to the script, but for example, because I am Japanese, it is not permissible to have a dialect, so I will pay the lesson fee individually for coaching.
 
- It is very.

Nakajima Behind the scenes is like that.No excuses.
 
――Have you ever had an advantage as a Japanese person?

Nakajima No.First of all, when I stand on the stage, I don't have any particular awareness that I'm Japanese.I am happy that Japanese tourists come and support me, but I am not treated specially because I am Japanese.
 
――Why did you win success in Vienna?

Nakajima: It's all about your daily efforts and research.Also, I enjoy studying like that.I feel happy to be able to do what I want to do because I am interested in it.There are many music lovers here in Vienna.It's a happy environment where everyone can talk to us and give us advice.
 
――It means that you can continue because you like it.

Nakajima Of course, that's right.
 
――On the contrary, is there anything you can't do even if you like it?

Nakajima It's a relationship with people.For example, you may be a director, a partner, or you may feel that you don't fit.The rest is when I'm sick.Of course, I am a professional, so I have a sense of responsibility as a job.Moreover, the soloist is the existence of the apex in the pyramid.As the chosen person, you must fulfill your responsibilities.So, even if I like the role, I refuse properly when I think that I can not do a satisfactory job due to the problem of involvement with the conductor and the director.And don't get tired.If you get tired, you will get sick and eventually cause trouble to others.In order to satisfy everyone, we always keep these two points.It is important for the stage performers to always try to do their best both physically and mentally.
 
――I think it's a difficult situation.

Nakajima: I often talk to my friends, but I wonder what the difference is between a musician and an artist.I think it's not just about making sounds, but about expressing them.How to express with a limited number of notes, and how to convey sounds that cannot be expressed in the score.
 
――It's a very deep content.After all, is it a state of affairs gained from overseas music activities?

Nakajima In a big theater, the same show will be performed repeatedly for many years.Therefore, many singers sing the same role.If you don't have your own music, your work won't come around.To become a singer of choice in the theater, studying is not just on the desk.Therefore, especially when studying abroad, I would like you to immerse yourself in that country and see and absorb various things.I think it will be a valuable experience to experience as a consumer rather than as a traveler.Talk and discover differences in thinking.The tone is different depending on the country.Think about what inspired you.Then you can understand the music deeply.
 
――When you see Japanese students in Vienna, do you feel that it is a waste? 

Nakajima: There is a tendency for Japanese people to get together.I hope to make a lot of local friends.For example, a pen pal.It's like being able to go out for a long time.The memories will always leave something to me.
 
――Are there any secrets to enjoying Vienna?

Nakajima Finding Vienna yourself.Don't rely on guidebooks, find Vienna that only you know.There are many places you can find yourself.When I go to Japan, I look for Japan on my own.
 
――It's important to experience it for yourself.

Nakajima Curiosity is important.
 
――Please tell us your musical vision for the future.

Nakajima: I'm in my late 40s, and I'm thinking about what a vocalist in his 50s should do.I'm adding new roles to my repertoire, but I want to be the best director and the big role of the opera.Apart from that, I would like to work on production and production from now on.
 
 
――It feels like the blood of the creative is refreshing.

Nakajima There are two productions this year.One of them is scheduled for December to be a stage work that mixes Noh with Schoenberg's "Pierrot Lunaire".This summer, I performed a musical drama based on the poems and essays of about 12 children at the Gunma International Academy, which was a very good experience.
 
――It's amazing.What was the reason for that?

Nakajima: After the earthquake in March last year, I felt a dilemma about Japan's lack of energy and positive attitude, and I thought I had to do something for the future.And I wanted to appeal to the world that the Japanese are fine.
 
――It's a big deal.How was it?

Nakajima The great sense of accomplishment that I sweated with the children and did something was wonderful.The workshop was also a great success and will be aired on DVD and on TV in October.
 
――Are you thinking about any plans in the future?

Nakajima: Based on the power of music, I would like to make a plan that conveys something fundamental and that I am glad to sing and listen to it, so that I can be impressed with the audience.In addition, we will nurture wonderful musicians who can express themselves with courage, not only with technology, but also with voice expressions that can be heard because of technology, and everything that they have and do not have. I would like to try.
 
――What is music in a nutshell for Nakajima?

Nakajima: It's philosophical, but I think music makes you feel the spiritual meaning of "living."I believe that music has the power to make you feel the moment you are alive.It may be close to gratitude to God.I grew up in the wilderness of Hokkaido, and when it's cold, I feel like I'm grateful for the warmth of the sun, or the feeling of loneliness, sadness, and feelings of being alive exist in music.I think it's something that is necessary for living things, not reasoning.
 
――Is there any answer there?

Nakajima No, I don't think so.Because each person who feels is an individual.So I want to be a wallless musician.Without the wall, the soul of the musician can pop out.Also, I want to improve my skills to do that, and I want to study. It's very difficult to write art.
 
――It's difficult, isn't it?Finally, do you have any advice for young students who want to study abroad?

Nakajima It is absolutely important to go abroad.It also expands your horizons.You may also see it from that experience, and you will feel the goodness of Japan.And if you go abroad, do your best without relying on others, and try to open the way for yourself.Please spread your wings and go outside.
 
- thank you.

 
 
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