Melody Tachibana King
LIRICO-SPINTO SOPRANO
Bio
A LITTLE ABOUT MELODY
Based out of the Bay Area California, lirico-spinto soprano Melody Tachibana King has been rediscovering her love for musical theater and Japanese songs. Over the past two years, Melody has been curating pieces for an intimate concert themed around motherhood, which she plans to perform once it is safe to do so. On the opera main stage she has sung Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Leila (Les pêcheurs de perles), Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), Cio Cio San (Madama Butterfly), Mimi (La Boheme), Angelica (Suor Angelica), Nedda (I Pagliacci), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Leonora (Il Trovatore), and Lucrezia (Il Due Foscari). Of these, Melody is known for her authentic portrayal of Cio Cio San, which is influenced by her knowledge of Japanese culture and customs. Having spent her childhood in Japan, she is fluent in Japanese and she brings the unique perspective of representing both cultures. Outside of the mainstage, Melody is a member of the San Francisco chapter of Opera on Tap where she enjoys singing live in an intimate and casual setting to bring the love of opera into a laidback welcoming environment. She is a student of the Acting for Singers Class taught by Bobby Weinapple of Seydways Acting Studios in San Francisco, and studies voice with Julia Nielsen. Melody is a graduate of New England Conservatory with a masters degree in Vocal Performance with a Music in Education concentration. She began singing at an early age with her father at the piano. When she is not singing she enjoys traveling with her family and is a devoted mother of two children.
Opera
Roles
PERFORMED
Mercedes, La Reve de Carmen
Duenna, Der Rosenkavalier
Rosalinde, Die Fledermaus
Donna Anna, Don Giovanni
Lauretta and La Ciesca, Gianni Schicchi
Lucrezia Contarini, I due Foscari
Nedda, I Pagliacci
Leonora and Ines, Il Trovatore
Mimì, La bohème
Yvette and Sopranino, La Rondine
Leila, Les pêcheurs de perles
Cio-Cio-San, Madama Butterfly
First Lady, Magic Flute
Rosette, Manon
Juliette (cover), Romeo et Juliette
Angelica and Cercatrice I, Suor Angelica
Reviews
San Francisco Classical Voice
BY JASON VICTOR SERINUS
The undisputed star, soprano Melody Tachibana King, is a lyrico-spinto whose understanding of the role is complete. Blessed with a beautiful voice that carries well, colorful and well-controlled vibrato, and natural dramatic instincts, she husbanded her resources until the final act, where the volume and solidity of her highs in her moving “Tu, tu piccolo addio” contrasted with the vocal restraint of much that had preceded it. Her movements, too, were carefully judged, remaining within the confines of what might be considered a very young geisha’s province. Although wanting for more sustained high climaxes, her deeply sympathetic portrayal and fully committed, plangent vocalism elicited deserved bravas.
The Independent
BY SARAH BOBSON
The night belonged to Melody King. Singing the title role in Livermore Valley Opera's current production of Madama Butterfly...King simply captivated the audience. She looked and acted the part of the submissive, 15-year-old geisha bride with a a playful innocence that was engaging and enchanting. This is all the more remarkable since this is her first time in the role. In "Un bel di" King's full-bodied rice lyric soprano invested the famous aria with a longing that went far beyond simple sentimentality.
Mercury News
BY RICHARD SCHEININ
As flirtatious Rosalinde, new resident soprano Melody King showed off her attractive and broad-beamed voice
Broadway World San Francisco
BY HARMONY WHEELER
soprano Melody King clearly deserves to make it to the Metropolitan Opera stage some day. King, who sings the role of Leila, exhibits extraordinary control over he voice and glides over her difficult high notes.
San Francisco Classical Voice
BY SCOTT MACCLELLAN
King’s richly grained soprano had little chance to warm up before being thrown into coloratura display when her prayer to Brahma (she’s the chaste priestess du jour) grows to a delirious outburst of love for Nadir.
