Melody Tachibana King
LIRICO-SPINTO SOPRANO
Bio
A LITTLE ABOUT MELODY
âBased in the vibrant Bay Area of California, lirico-spinto soprano Melody Tachibana King is joyfully reconnecting with her roots in musical theater and Japanese song. She is currently curating a thoughtfully selected repertoire for an intimate concert themed around motherhood. Melody is also thrilled to announce her return to the opera stage with Verismo Opera in March/April 2025, where she will portray Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana.
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Her distinguished operatic repertoire features a range of acclaimed roles, including Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Leila in Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Cio Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Mimi in La Bohème, Angelica in Suor Angelica, Nedda in I Pagliacci, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Leonora in Il Trovatore, and Lucrezia in Il Due Foscari. Notably, Melody is celebrated for her authentic interpretation of Cio Cio San, reflecting her deep appreciation for Japanese culture and traditions.
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Having spent her formative years in Japan, Melody is fluent in Japanese and offers a unique perspective that beautifully integrates her American and Japanese backgrounds. Alongside her mainstage engagements, she actively participates in the San Francisco chapter of Opera on Tap, where she enjoys sharing the joy of opera in a relaxed and inviting environment.
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Dedicated to her artistic development, Melody is currently studying in the Acting for Singers class led by Bobby Weinapple at Seydways Acting Studios in San Francisco. She is a former artist in residence with Opera San Jose, and she studies voice under Julia Nielsen. A proud graduate of the New England Conservatory, she holds a master’s degree in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Music Education.
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Melody's musical journey began in early childhood, harmonizing with her father at the piano, which ignited her enduring passion for music. Outside of her artistic pursuits, she loves to travel with her family and treasures her role as a devoted mother of two.
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Thank you for visiting her website—join her in celebrating the beauty of music and culture.
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Opera
Roles
PERFORMED
Cio-Cio-San, Madama Butterfly
Donna Anna, Don Giovanni
Leonora and Ines, Il Trovatore
Lucrezia Contarini, I due Foscari
Leila, Les pêcheurs de perles
Rosalinde, Die Fledermaus
Mimì and Musetta (cover), La bohème
Angelica and Cercatrice I, Suor Angelica
Lauretta and La Ciesca, Gianni Schicchi
Nedda, I Pagliacci
Juliette (cover), Romeo et Juliette
Mrs. Páskova, The Cunning Little Vixen
Mercedes, La Reve de Carmen
Duenna, Der Rosenkavalier
Yvette and Sopranino, La Rondine
First Lady, Magic Flute
Rosette, Manon
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 âTu, tu piccolo addioâ 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 geishaâs 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
BYÂ RICHARD SCHEININ
As flirtatious Rosalinde, new resident soprano Melody King showed off her attractive and broad-beamed voice
Broadway World San Francisco
BYÂ 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
Kingâs richly grained soprano had little chance to warm up before being thrown into coloratura display when her prayer to Brahma (sheâs the chaste priestess du jour) grows to a delirious outburst of love for Nadir.
