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The Japanese couuter-tenor, Toshiharu Nakajima, studied piano since childhood, after winning in a number of competitions, he turned to vocal music. He studied at Kyoto City University of Arts (Class of 2006) and Tokyo University of the Arts graduate Master's program music Graduate School (Class of 2010). He continued his studies at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna) in the oratorio department from 2012 to 2015. He has studied with Mitsue Takagi, Jun Tanaka, Mitsui Tsuya-ko, G. Turkic, P. Puvure, D. Peyer, C. Spencer; Baroque vocal and ensemble with Yukari Nonoshita, Mutsumi Hatano and Naoya Otsuka. He studied Japanese song singing method with Yoshio Tsukada. In addition, he has attended master-classes with world-renowned musicians as J. Feldman, M. Schneider and Susan Manoff. In 2013, he won prize at the 2nd International Franz Schubert Song Competition in Steyr, Austria. In 2014, he won the Jury Award for the extraordinary handling of the repertoire in a different Fach than his own at the 21st International Johannes Brahms Competition Pörtschach.
As one of the few counter-tenor singer in Japan, Toshiharu Nakajima is deploying a variety of activities. In the opera, at Hokutopia International Music Festival in Tokyo he made his debut in opera by Charpentier (conducted by Ryo Kobe), his outstanding acting ability and performance were well received. Other oiperas include Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and he has appeared in the center of the Baroque opera, such as George Frideric Handel's Julius Caesar, his rich expressive power is obtained consistently high support.
In the sacreds music, Toshiharu Nakajima has sung solo parts in George Frideric Handel's Messiah, Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, Charpentier's Messe de minuit pour noël, J.S. Bach's St. John Passion (BWV 245), Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248), Magnificat (BWV 243) and a large number of cantatas, etc. Since 2011, he is a member of Bach Collegium Japan under the direction of Masaaki Suzuki. In recent years, in addition to his regular activities as a member of the Bach Collegium Japan, he has appeared in regular concert of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, participated in performances at home and abroad and recordings. He has performed with Matale-Boreado, Ensemble-Contra Pontresina, and with major domestic early music ensemble such as Ensemble Principi Venice.
While the center of vhis activies is the Baroque era, Toshiharu Nakajima also sings German Lieder, French Melodies, Japanese songs, to near-contemporary works, demonstrating a wide repertoire. He made his recital debut in 2012 at Aoyama Music Memorial Hall in Kyoto. |
