On 16th Jan 2009 ago, I attended a recital given by a Japanese baritone from USA at Hotel Nikko Jakarta. Half of the audience were Japanese, cause actually as his father said in his openning speech that this was a family concert. When Teppei Kono was called, he stepped out to the stage, I was impressed by a tall posture, walking elegantly, and a typical Japanese face. And when he began to sing the first song, I was stunned again by his warm, lyric and expressive voice. I thought no wonder this guy can become a professional opera singer.
Two of the first part was Italian Arias : Cosi, dunque tradisci by W.A.Mozart and Ah! rammenta, o belle Irene by G. Donizetti were carried so warmly and expressively from his warm lyric dramatic baritone. All the audience’s eyes were hipnotized by his performance.
Next after the concert arias were Lieder by Richard Strauss. I was surprised again by the choice of the repertoire. How he could jump from the expressive Italian songs to contrast ones of more calm and meditate lieders of Richard Strauss . That was quite a heavy task, but he carried the songs perfectly and beautifully. The songs were : Zueignung, Allerseelen, Ich trage meine Minne, Nacht, and Cacilie.
After the break, there were three operatic arias were sung. The first one was a very expressive Spanish style music, one of my favourite arias, Toreador from Carmen by G. Bizet. He sung very expressively and I think other audience would agree that this song gave enthusiast feeling and bravo to him. Next others were also quite interest ; Deh vieni, alla finestra from Don Giovanni by W.A.Mozart and O du mein holder Abendstern from Tannhauser by R.Wagner.
The concert was ended by five beautiful Japanese Songs. I never heard Japanese art songs before, but that night gave me a deep impression on Japanese. The songs were sung sensitively, beautifully, and very touchy. Even I didn’t understand the words, but with the way he sungs, he successfully carried the feeling and understanding of the songs. As the encore, Kono sung a simple song, his family’s song, and accompanied himself with the piano.
Of course I understand may be this was not his peak condition, because of the bad weather in Jakarta, I was satisfied with the concert. The wonderful voice, and the way he move from one mood to others like a journey, his clear expression, and warm personality, and good communication with audience, which made the audience stunned to him all the time. This would make a memorable concert this early year 2009.
Jakarta, 19 Jan 2009
