FEATURED EMERGING ARTIST: JUNKO WATANABE

Opera Manhattan's renewed mission to support artists has led to the creation of this blog post in which an artist currently participating in the Artist Development Program will be highlighted.  Opera Manhattan is proud to be able to support them in monthly features and help them grow through unique opportunities not offered anywhere else.  This blog feature will be your chance to get an inside look at Opera Manhattan and get as excited as we are to help these talented young singers.
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Junko Watanabe, Japanese soprano, has been thrilling audiences worldwide with her "Honey-strong voice" (The New Haven Register). On her debut of Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly with Opera Theater of Connecticut in 2007, The Shore Arts wrote, "She was not pretending to be Butterfly. She became her right before your eyes and drew a sustained standing ovation...."

Last season Junko sang Mimi in OMRT's ground-breaking production of La Boheme. She has sung Liù in Turandot at Alice Tully Hall with New York Asian Symphony Orchestra, and also with Dicapo Opera Theatre. She has sung the title role in Madama Butterfly with Opera Theater of Connecticut (OTC) and also appeared with OTC in a Gala Concert at the Sanibel Music Festival. Awards include a Citation Award as an outstanding Artist from the Sate of New Jersey in 2010 and The Artist International Special Presentation Award in 2005, which led to her debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.


Junko has also been an enthusiastic presenter of Japanese music with Koto, a traditional instrument, at churches, schools and in concert halls. She was selected to sing the Japansese national anthem at the Emperor's 77th Birthday celebration at Japan embassy.

Junko received her Master of Music and Professional Certificate from Manhattan School of Music.