Translator: Claire Ghyselen Reviewer: Eriko Tsukamoto
(Piano starts)
(Singing in French) My heart opens to your voice
Like the flowers open
To the kisses of the dawn!
But,
oh my beloved,
To better dry my tears,
Let your voice
speak again!
Tell me that you are returning
To Delilah forever!
Repeat to my tenderness
The promises
of old times,
Those promises
that I loved!
Ah!
Respond
to my tenderness!
Fill me,
With ecstasy!
Respond to my tenderness!
Respond
To my tenderness!
Ah, fill me
Ah
Fill me
With ecstasy!
Like one sees the blades
Of wheat that wave
In the light wind,
So trembles my heart,
Ready to be consoled,
By your voice
that is so dear to me!
The arrow is less rapid
In bringing death,
Than is your lover
To fly
into your arms
To fly
into your arms
Ah
Respond
to my tenderness
Fill me
with ecstasy
Respond
to my tenderness
Respond
to my tenderness
Ah
Fill me
Ah
Fill me
with ecstasy
Samson
I love you
(Singing ends)
(Piano ends)
(Applause)
Hello everyone.
I am Ayaka Tanimoto, and I am a mezzo-soprano.
I've lived in this beautiful city of Kyoto
until I moved to London for music college when I was 18 years old.
And,
how I began my musical journey?
I did not expect at all that I would be singing opera.
And as a child, I did not like classical music.
As a teenager, I was in R&B and hip hop.
(Laughter)
So, I took a few months of vocal lessons,
and I auditioned for a music college.
Somehow, luckily, I was offered a place.
That's when my musical journey began.
Today's theme is "Balance,"
and I am always searching for balance within myself, as a performer.
The balance between the mental state and the physical state
is quite important for me.
And that's why now, I've got into fitness and the well-being.
That's very important for me and a big part of my life now.
And also because opera is such a traditional art form,
I'm always looking for the balance
between being true to the score that was written
and also bringing out my own essence and style.
I hope to inspire people to get to know opera more
and to enjoy it in a more relaxed situation,
like here today.
So, I'm very thankful for this opportunity
to be able to share this moment with everyone here today.
(Japanese) I'll say a few words in Japanese too.
I feel very privileged to stand on this stage
with all the wonderful speakers
and to be given the opportunity to perform my art
in Kyoto, a city full of nice memories.
I have made it my mission to share with people
the power that music has to move our hearts today
while it has been written 100 years ago.
(English) I just sang an aria from Samson and Delilha.
And the next song, I am going to sing --
probably the people in the classical world will think that I am a bit crazy,
but it is amazing music, so I hope that you will all enjoy it.
(Applause)
(Piano starts)
(Singing in Italian) Nobody shall sleep
Nobody shall sleep
Even you, oh Princess,
in your cold room,
Watch the stars,
That tremble with love
and with hope
But my secret is hidden within me,
My name no one shall know
No, no,
On your mouth
I will tell it
when the light
shines
And my kiss will dissolve
the silence
that makes you mine!
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars!
At dawn,
I will win!
(Piano ends)
(Applause)