Brian Asawa Japanese-American opera singer, countertenor Country: USA

1. Biography of Brian Asawa
2. Early Education and Career Beginnings
3. Professional Success and Notable Performances
4. Notable Roles

Biography of Brian Asawa

Brian Asawa, an American operatic singer of Japanese descent, became the first countertenor to win the annual Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, held by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He also won a scholarship to study in the Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera. Born in 1966 in Los Angeles, Asawa is the nephew of renowned sculptor Ruth Asawa.

Early Education and Career Beginnings

Asawa initially studied piano at the University of California, Santa Cruz, but ultimately switched to vocal training under the guidance of tenor Harlan Hokin. After two semesters in Santa Cruz, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied with Virginia Fox and Kari Windingstad. In 1989, Asawa enrolled at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he studied with British lutenist James Tyler. However, he did not complete the program or receive a master's degree as his career began in 1991.

Professional Success and Notable Performances

Asawa's professional debut took place in 1991 at the San Francisco Opera in Hans Werner Henze's opera "Das verratene Meer." He also sang the role of the Shepherd in Puccini's "Tosca" and Oberon in Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1992, continuing to refine his vocal skills under the guidance of Jane Randolph. In the same year, Asawa made his first appearance in New York City at a concert at Lincoln Center commemorating the bicentennial of Mozart's death, where he performed the lead role in Mozart's "Ascanio in Alba" accompanied by the New York Chamber Symphony.

In 1993, Asawa was awarded a grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation and made his debut at the Santa Fe Opera as Arsamene in Handel's "Xerxes." In 1994, he became the first countertenor to win the Operalia International Opera Competition established by Plácido Domingo. He also made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, performing the role of Apollo in Benjamin Britten's "Death in Venice" and at the Glimmerglass Opera as Ottone in Claudio Monteverdi's "L'incoronazione di Poppea."

In the 1996-97 season, Asawa was chosen as "Artist of the Year" at the Seattle Opera. He has performed in leading opera houses worldwide, including the San Diego Opera, Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, Opéra National de Paris, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Hamburg State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, and theaters in Cologne, Geneva, Sydney, Montpellier, Brussels, Lyon, and Toronto.

Notable Roles

Some of Brian Asawa's most notable roles include Prince Orlofsky in "Die Fledermaus," Tolomeo in "Giulio Cesare," the title role in "Admeto," Baba The Turk in "The Rake's Progress," Fyodor in "Boris Godunov," Endimione in "La Calisto," Farnace in "Mitridate, re di Ponto," Nero in "L'incoronazione di Poppea," Orfeo in "Orfeo ed Euridice," La Speranza in "L'Orfeo," Anfinomo in "Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria," and David in "Saul."