Mika Shigematsu (d. Osaka, 2019)

Mika Shigematsu came to prominence when she was awarded first prize in the mezzo-soprano division of the “Japan Italy Vocal Concorso” in 1988. She went on to win first place at the All Japan Music Competition in 1991 and earned a fellowship of two years at the San Francisco Opera Center.

In 1993, she received considerable attention internationally with her principal debut in the role of Elvira in Bellini’s “Puritani” in the U.S. premiere of the Maria Malibran version at the Boston Lyric Opera.

From there she went on to perform at the San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, San Diego Opera, Canadian Opera, Minnesota Opera, Seattle Opera, Carmel Bach Festival, Fort Worth Opera, Opera North Carolina, Augusta Opera, Opera Montreal and Santa Barbara Symphony.

In Europe, she performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London, Opéra National de Paris, Teatro Carlo Felice, Opéra National de Lyon, and Opéra et Orchestre National de Montpellier.

She also worked with Charles Dutoit, Gerd Albrecht, Kurt Masur, Ramon Vargas, Patrick Summers, Mariella Devia, Richard Bonynge, and Daniel Oren, among many others.

She performed the repertoire of Rossini, Puccini, Bellini, and Massenet, among world premieres written for her by contemporary composers.

She will be sorely missed and we perpetuate this Summer Program to honor her memory.