by In Trieste
Motoharu Takei, or Moto for friends, originally from Tokyo and now lead tenor at Teatro Verdi, tells us about his life as an opera singer in Trieste.
When Moto meets us for our interview, he has just finished practicing arias for the day. That means, simply, three hours of singing his favorite Verdi pieces.
Tell us a little about yourself
M: Originally from Tokyo, I work as an opera singer in Italy, now mainly at the Teatro Verdi of Trieste.
When did you find out you wanted to be an opera singer and how did you achieve your ambition?
When I was 17 I was moved for the very first time by a world-famous opera. Listening to it made me want to become an opera singer myself. However, it hasn’t been an easy road and I remember during my first lesson my teacher suggested I kept studying until I was at least 30 years old.
Wow!
He was right – I kept on studying and meanwhile teaching at a music school in Tokyo. I felt I didn’t have what it took to become an opera singer just yet. So I left my job and at the age of 35 I entered a specialized music school. That year I auditioned for the Opera Theater of Trieste and the general director of it gave me a chance- and now I am one of the lead tenors at the opera here.
Wonderful!
My road has just began. I know I will become as good as the singer whom I heard at the age of 17.
When did you arrive here?
I came to Trieste in 2016. Trieste is of course very different from Tokyo but probably the biggest difference is the commuting time.
We can imagine!
The average commuting time in Tokyo is one and a half hours. Everyone has to get on a crowded train. But I can spend that time in a bar with my friends in Trieste. I can drink cappuccino in the morning and aperitif in the evening. That time makes my life so beautiful.
What do you like best about Trieste?
I like nature, and Trieste has the sea and the Dolomites in the immediate vicinity. I love fishing in Barcola on sunny days.
Goals for 2021?
This year is still very difficult for theaters. I am currently streaming a concert online but I hope I can get back to singing at the opera house as soon as possible.
