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Operas of Minoru Miki
Minoru MIKI (born in 1930) has composed more than fifteen various type operas. His nine full-length opera series based on 1600 years of Japanese history which completed in 2010 and three folk operas can be seen on this website with following precise English data including stage photos. These operas have had frequent productions not only in Japan but also in foreign countries within the past thirty five years. Among Miki's nine opera series "An Actor's Revenge" (1979), "Jururi (1985) and "The Tale of Genji" (2000) were commissioned by foreign opera theatres and given world premieres in English by them. The following are sample reviews:

Opera (Minoru Miki's "An Actor's Revenge") returns to Old Vic with triumph: a score of an exact, sophisticated and self-effacing skill, not only in its blend of Eastern and Eastern elements, but in the way in which it slowly and compellingly marshals its power. Precisely reflecting the tradition in which the opera has been conceived, it is music in which every gesture tells, its lean, subtly refined idiom trenchantly accommodating the utmost ferocity and the utmost pathos. (October 1979, The Daily Telegraph by Robert Henderson) NB: This opera has been published by Faber Music, London in English, German and Japanese versions.
Minoru Miki's "Joruri" embodies new, fine-grained Western responses to the formality, to the contrasts of obliquity and directness, to the startling changes of pace (near-static musing, sudden violence), to picturesqueness that serves poetic ends. Miki's score matches-animates, enacts-the drama at every point. He uses an orchestra of moderate size and three Japanese instruments. Of all the cross-culture composers, Miki has perhaps most successfully united Japanese and Western elements in a personal and highly expressive language. The score of "Joruri" is notable for its delicate, unconventional, affecting color combinations, supple rhythms, pacing, and for its eloquent melodic lines. At the performance I attended, the audience seemed spellbound, and at the close the silent that is the deepest mark of appreciation yielded gradually to cheers and a long standing ovation. (June 1985, The NEWYORKER, by Andrew Porter)
NB This opera has been published by ZENON Music in English and Japanese versions.
The world premiere of Minoru Miki's "The Tale of Genji," was a particular success. Mr. Miki's score was an atmospheric masterpiece, its style Western but with an unsettled tonality recalling Debussy and Britten, a modern work that seems absolutely faithful to its ancient poetic source. Japanese gestures were seamlessly integrated into the musical fabric so they never sounded like jarring color effects. (June 2000, the Wall Street Journal, by Heldi Waleson)
NB This opera is available in English and Japanese versions.

In addition to these three operas, Miki's third historical opera "Wakahime"(1991) was published its vocal score in Japanese and English versions. Generously supported by the Fukutake Cultural Foundation, Colin Graham has already completed the English version in 2004. BCA will publish it in early 2005. The opera is superb grand opera based on the Japanese history in the fifth century. One can listen to one of Japanese production on compact disk published by Camerata Tokyo Co.

"The Monkey Poet"(1983), one of Miki's folk operas, has been performed almost 300 times in Japanese. An English version was also made by Colin Graham. It has not been performed in English yet. "Husband the Hen" (1963), an operetta which Miki composed in Japanese in the early stages of his career has prepared its German version named "Der Ehemann als Huhn" by Siegfried Schaarschmidt, although it has not been performed in German yet.

Information concerning Miki's other small operas, choral operas, operetta and mono operas, can be accessed via Miki's website (Japanese pages). Also YUI Shuppan can supply the handwritten scores and recordings.
Miki has finished composing of his ninth   historical opera "The Happy Pagoda" which conclude “Minoru MIKI, Nine opera series along 1600 years Japanese history” in 2010.

Between 20th February and 5th June of same 2010, Heidelberg Theatre had European (German) premiere of "Ai-En" sung in Japanese (German subtitle) with huge success. Miki himself was quite surprised by the production because of Japanese singing. It was first case in the history that Japanese full-length opera performed in Germany by western singers in original Japanese. Please refer its wonderful reviews below (Entire review of Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung can be seen Ai-En's item below).

"Without any doubt, the European premiere of Minoru Miki's opera Ai-En will go down in the annals of the theater of Heidelberg ... The premiere was a performance in which all was just right: the music, the singers and the scene. The now 79 years old Minoru Miki is one of the most important composers of the present time. His work Ai-En is so fascinating that there could be nobody not feeling deeply impressed."
"The 2006 New National Theatre Tokyo commissioned work "Ai-En" forges links between the musics of the west and the east. Conspiciously, the whole composition is built on - expanded - western tonality. Though Miki doesn't present catchy melodies, his music is beautiful, expressive, clear and easy to remember."
(23rd Feb. 2010, Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung, by Von Ludwig Steinbach)

Operas of Minoru Miki

Shunkin-Sho
(1975), an opera in three acts
Commissiond by Nihon Opera Kyokai
Libretto by Jun Maeda in Japanese
Based on the novel by Junichiro Tanizaki
Story happens in 19th Century in Osaka
Sop, Bar, Ten, Mez, Bas, other 15 soloists, F-chor,
Orchestra (2.1.1.1-2.2.2.0-3 Perc-Str), 21-string Koto, Shamisen
Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes
World premiere by Nihon Opera Kyokai in 1975 in Tokyo
The composition received the Giraud Opera Prize
Published by Zenon Music Publisher, Tokyo

An Actor’s Revenge
(1979), an opera in two acts
Commissioned by English Music Theatre (Colin Graham)
Libretto by James Kirkup in English
Based on the novel “Yukinojo Henge” by Otokichi Mikami
Story happens in 18th Century in Edo (old Tokyo)
Sop, Ten, Bas, Ten, Bar, Bas, Bar, Ten, Mix or Male-chor
Orchestra (2.0.2.0-1.0.1.0-3 Perc-Vn.Va.Vc), 21-string Koto, Shamisen
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
World Premiere by English Music Theatre in 1979 in London
Published by Faber Music, London
Vocal score includes English, German (by Claus H. Henneberg) and
Japanese version (by Minoru Miki etc.)
Review: The Daily Telegraph' and many papers
Revews of German premiere in 1987

Joruri
(1985), an opera in three acts
Commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Original story and libretto by Colin Graham in English
Story happens in 17~18 Century in Osaka
Sop, Ten, Bar, Bas, Ten, Bar, Bas
Orchestra (2.2.2.2-2.1.2-2 Perc-Str), Shakuhachi, 21-string-Koto, Shamisen
Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
World Premiere by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 1985 in St. Louis
Published by Zenon Music Publisher, Tokyo
Vocal score includes English and Japanese version by Minoru Miki
Laser disc and video tape published by Dream Life Corporation, Tokyo
Review: THE NEWYORKER July 1,1985
World premiere

Wakahime
(1991), an opera in three acts
Commissioned by Okayama Symphony Hall
Original story and libretto by Ray Nakanishi in Japanese
Story happens in 5th Century in Kibi, Yamato(West Japan), and South Korea
Sop, Ten, Bar, Sop, Bas, other 20 soloists, Mix-chor
Orchestra (3.3.3.3-4.3.3.1-4 Perc-Str), Kayagum
Duration: 2 hours 24 minutes
World premiere by Okayama Symphony Hall in 1992 in Okayama
English version by Colin Graham
Published by BCA(Best Composers Association), Japan
Vocal score includes both Japanese and English versions
CD published by Camerata Tokyo

Shizuka and Yoshitsune
(1993), an opera in three acts
Commissioned by Kamakura Arts Center
Original story and libretto by Ray Nakanishi in Japanese
Story happens in 12th Century in Yoshino, Kamakura, Hiraizumi etc.
Sop, Ten, Bar, Bas, Mez, Sop, Sop, Ten, Ten, Bas, Bar, Ten, Bar, Bar, Alt,Ten, Mix-chor
Orchestra (3.3.3.3-4.3.3.1-3 Perc-Str) 21-string Koto, Tsuzumi
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
World premiere by Kamakura Arts Center in 1993 in Kamakura

The River Sumida / Kusabira (1995),
a twin chmber opera combining a tragedy and a comedy
Commissioned by Geidankyo
Libretto by Asaya Fujita in Japanese
Based on original libretto of both Noh and Kyogen play
Story happens in 15th Century in Edo=The River Sumida, and uncertain erea in local Japan=Kusabira
Sop, Ten, Bas, Mix-chor(2.2.2.2) =The River Sumida
Ten, Bar, Mix-chor(2.2.2.2)=Kusabira
Instrumental ensemble for both=Vn, Vc, Cl(B-cl), 21-string Koto, Perc
Duration: 56 minutes=The River Sumida, 28 minutes=Kusabira
World premiere by Geidankyo special production in 1995 in Tokyo
World premiere

The Tale of Genji
(1999), an opera in two (or three) acts
Commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Original story and libretto by Colin Graham in English
Story happens in 10th~11th Century in Kyoto, Suma, Akashi
Bar, Bas/Bas, Ten, Sop/Sop, Sop/Sop, Alt/Alt, Mez, Bar, B-Bar, Mix-chor
Orchestra (2.2.2.2-.2.2.2-3 Perc-Str), Pipa, Qin, 21-string-Koto
Duration: 3 hours (may be shorten 2 hours 40 minutes)
World premiere by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 2000 in St. Louis
Japanese version by Minoru Miki
Review: WALL STREET JOURNAL

World premiere

See please:
Opera japonica/Japan Opera Information/Interviews
Opera japonica/Libretto of the Tale of Genji by Colin Graham
The Tale of Genji in Tokyo

Ai-en
(2005), an opera in three acts
Commissioned by New National Theatre of Japan
Original story and libretto by Jakucho Setouchi
Story happens in 8th Century in Nara, South China(Tang), Zhang An
Sop, Ten, Alt, Bar, Ten, Bas, Bar, Sop, Sop, Bar, Ten, Bas, Sop, Mez, Alt, Mix-chor
Orchestra (3.3.3.3-4.3.3.1-4 Perc, Hp-Str), Pipa
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
World premiere by New National Theatre (Opera House), Tokyo in 2006
Review: Japanese magazines July 2008, Opernwelt Nr. 4, April 2006

Stage photo in NNT Web site

New National Theatre performance schedule includes main casts, stuffs with photes, background, and synopsis

Libretto ACT 1 (PDF)
Libretto ACT 2 (PDF)
Libretto ACT 3 (PDF)

European premiere by Heidelberg Theatre, Germany in 2010
Reviews of European(German) premiere

The Happy Pagoda (2010), an opera in 2 act (10 scenes)

Former folk opera version was commissioned by National Art Festival in Tokushima.
After its premiere in 2007, Miki determined to revise entirely as No. 9 opera of "Minoru MIKI, 9 opera series along 1600 years Japanese history". He asked librettist to refine everywhere and change first half of 10th scene of libretto. Also he rewrited all voice to all singing score and instrumental part to all orchestra score. Both vocal and full score were completed in 2010, Not yet decided world premiere theatre.

Original story and libretto by Tatsuji Iwata in Japanese.
Story happens in a temple where a small music theatre is training. But the place suffered by big flood. Seven singers tried three days final rehearsals before dissolution. Pagoda, the spirit of death soldier watched them and...

Sop, sop, Mez, Alt, Ten, Ten, Bar, Bas
Orchestra: 1.1.2.1-2.1.1.1-2 Perc-Pf-Str
Duration: 2 hours


[NB]   Above works form Miki’s covering 1,600 years Japanese history. Each opera concerns traditional music style which prospered in that era.


Folk Operas of Minoru Miki

The Monkey Poet
(1983), a folk opera in two acts
Commissioned by Geidankyo
Original story and libretto by Mitsuo Kawamura in Japanese dialect
Story happens in modern age in Tohoku (North-East Japan)
Sop, Mez, Alt, Ten, Bar, Bas, 6 Coros (ensemble singers)
Flute (Picc), 21-string Koto, 2 Perc (including 2 Gangsa Balinese)
[NB]   All instruments may be played by another kind of Western instruments
Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes
World premiere by Geidankyo special production in 1983 in Tokyo
English version by Colin Graham

Yomigaeru
(1986~1992), a folk opera in two acts
  Special composition for Uta-za founded by Minoru Miki
Dramatizing by Asaya Fujita in Japanese
Original poems personified frog world written by Shinpei Kusano
Story happens in the modern Age in Japan
Bar, Sop, Sop, Ten, Bar, Bas, other 8 singers, Mix-chor
Orchestra (1.1.1.1-1.1.1.0-2 Perc-Str)
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes
World premiere by Uta-za in 1992 in Tokyo

Terute and Oguri
(1993), a folk opera in two parts
  Commissioned by Nagoya Art Creation Centre
Libretto by Asaya Fujita in Japanese
Based on a Sekyo-bushi “Oguri”
Story happens in medieval Central Japan
Sop, Bas-Bar, Sop, Bas, Ten, Sop, Bar, many other singers, actors, Dancers
Chamber orchestra (Vn, Vc, 21-string Koto, Shakuhachi, 2 Perc, 2 Hn, 2 Tp, 2 Tbn)
Duration: 2 hours 13 minutes
World premiere by Nagoya Art Creation Centre in 1994 in Nagoya

The Happy Pagoda (2007), a folk opera in 10 scenes

Commissioned by National Art Festival in Tokushima
Original story and libretto by Tatsuji Iwata in Japanese
Story happens in a temple where a small music theatre is training. But the place suffered by big flood. Seven singers tried three days final rehearsals before dissolution. Pagoda, the spirit of death soldier watched them and...
Sop, sop, Mez, Alt, Ten, Ten, Bar, Bas
Vn, Cl(B-cl), Pf, Perc
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
World premiere by Miki Opera Company in 2007 in Tokushima
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[NB]   Miki composed several other choral operas, educational small operas, operetta, musical dramas and mono operas specially called as "Karaku" by the composer.


You can see plane list of all works including publishers.
You can buy scores through URLs below:

Zen-on Music Publisher www.zen-on.co.jp/shop/
Ongaku No Tomo Sha www.ongakunotomo.co.jp/
Kawai Shuppan www.kawai.co.jp/shopping/

Above URLs have only Japanese pages.

When you want to order scores in English, you can buy them through YUI Shuppan.
Also concerning pieces which don't published above publishers, you can order scores to YUI Shuppan.
YUI Shuppan will supply you copies from original scores etc.
E-mail address of YUI Shuppan: yui@ori.bbiq.jp


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