Chanson for Christmas
and the release of a new CD

Dec.7 (Sun)

YUKI Mei has just returned from France, where she was able to absorb the very French atmosphere of the wine growing regions of Champagne and Bourgogne. The trip was taken not only to enjoy the scenic beauty of the French countryside, but in readiness for her 'Evening of Chanson' and wine festival 2003, at the prestigious Nara Hotel.

The evening will be positively Gallic. The wine, the food and the music. As the red, white and rose wine flows, a knowledgeable sommelier will explain about the region where the wine was cultivated, the vintage, the appellation and various item of news concerning the delicious fruit of the vine. Right beside him will be YUKI Mei, no stranger to France or anything French.

Born in Osaka, she followed a career in teaching after graduating from Osaka Educational University. It was while working as a high school music teacher that she started to sing and took part in her first audition. Her love of France propelled her to go there to study the language for her future singing career.

While in Amboise, located south-west of Paris, she was given the chance to sing at a local function which has encouraged her tremendously. Today, she translates all the French songs in her repertoire into Japanese.

Her first CD single, “Koi wa mizu-iro” (L'amour est bleu/Love is blue) will be released on December 17th, and will feature four songs. Plaisir d'amoursung in French. Une belle histoire, sung in both French and Japanese, with one of the two versions of the title song, Koi wa mizu-iro, sung in Japanese.

Evening of Chansons and wine festival will take place at Nara Hotel. Built in 1909, this hotel is a classic example of Meiji-era style architecture, but the facilities are modern and the service of the highest standard. High enough for a royal family, because this is where the Japanese Imperial royal family stay whenever they visit the ancient Capital.

A grander setting could not be found to match the elegance of this festive French evening. YUKI Mei will sing many well-known favorites: C'est si bon, Last Waltz, and the unforgettable, Fallen leaves, written by Jacques Prevert. Hiroshi Tatetsu will accompany her on the piano.

@ Nara Hotel (On a hill within walking distance from Todai-ji )
A 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara station. http://www.narahotel.co.jp/
Doors open: 5pm • Concert begins: 6pm
¥16,000: Full course meal with wine. Each guest will receive a surprise Christmas present.
CD “Koi wa mizu-iro” goes on sale nationwide on December 17th. Price ¥1200.
Tel: 0742-26-3300 • http://www.yukimei.com

FIRST RECITAL of GROUP "MICHI"

Dec.27 (Sat)

Soprano singer, Haruyo Masuda, will give a recital in both Japanese and Italian, purposefully focussing to express her thoughts through the songs.

Ten songs of Japanese composer, Kozaburo Hirai, has been chosen to be sung. It was Hirai (1910~) who is credited with expanding the framework of Japanese lyrical songs with his exceptional ability as a melodi-st. His songs are still going strong, those to be sung will include, 'Kurukuru karakara' and 'Chanting in my heart' and three songs by Italian singer/composer, Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846-1916).

'In mare', 'L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra' and 'Chitarrata aburuzzese.' Masuda graduated from Nara Educational University before completing her Master's degree at Hyogo Educational university. Music-wise she studied under Kaeko Yamaguchi, and together performed a joint concert in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Tosti.

There will always be a place for the enchanting melodic voice of the soprano — the highest singing voice — in the world of music. Masuda, trained at the Italian national society, where upon successfully completing the course she received her diploma.

She has performed at the annual festival of Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara and at the Japanese-Italian cultural exchange association. She is a mem-ber of Nara prefecture music exchange society.

She will sing to the piano accompaniment of Chizu Sasaki, a graduate of Osaka music university who has received training from a variety of music educa-tors. She is a member of various musical groups such as, the Arts & music society of Nara city. Group 'Michi' was founded by Kaeko Yamaguchi to further promote the fascination and beauty of music.

@ Aki Shino Music Salon
6F Nara Family Department store, Nara
(Three minutes walk from the North exit of Sai-daiji stn.)
Ticket: ¥1,500 • Doors open: 13:30 • Concert at 14:00
Tel: 0742-61-5097 (Group 'Michi')

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