Art Encouragement Newcomer Award of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
1 appearances
-
Edition 44 (1994) award
Kei Fukui
ふくい けい
Fukui Kei
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1962-11-04 （Mizusawa, Iwate (now Oshu)）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
Career
- Occupations
- Tenor singer, Music educator
- Active Years
- 1989-
- Affiliations
- Nikikai (Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation), Tokyo University of the Arts (part-time lecturer), Kunitachi College of Music (professor)
- Memberships
- Member of Nikikai
- Influenced By
- Yoshifumi Hakuda, Ryuji Fuse, Tadahiko Hirano, V. Bolloni
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iwate Prefectural Mizusawa High School | — | — | — | — | Japan |
| Kunitachi College of Music | Vocal Music | Vocal | 修士 | — | Japan |
Iwate Prefectural Mizusawa High School
Country:
Japan
Kunitachi College of Music
Vocal Music
/ Vocal
Degree:
修士
Country:
Japan
Completed graduate school. Finished Nikikai Opera Studio and Agency for Cultural Affairs Opera Training (7th cohort).
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Italy Vocal Concorso — Milan Grand Prize (1st) | — | — | Italy Vocal Concorso | Winner |
| 1992 | Jiro Opera Award — Newcomer | — | — | Jiro Opera Award | Recipient |
| 1993 | Gotoh Memorial Culture Award — Opera Newcomer | — | — | Gotoh Memorial Foundation | Recipient |
| 1994 | Art Encouragement Prize — New Artist | — | — | Agency for Cultural Affairs (Art Encouragement) | Recipient |
| 2003 | ExxonMobil Music Award (JXTG Music Award) | — | — | ExxonMobil Music Award | Recipient |
| 2015 | Art Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award | — | — | Agency for Cultural Affairs | Recipient |
Italy Vocal Concorso — Milan Grand Prize (1st)
1989
Organization:
Italy Vocal Concorso
Result:
Winner
Jiro Opera Award — Newcomer
1992
Organization:
Jiro Opera Award
Result:
Recipient
Gotoh Memorial Culture Award — Opera Newcomer
1993
Organization:
Gotoh Memorial Foundation
Result:
Recipient
Art Encouragement Prize — New Artist
1994
Organization:
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Art Encouragement)
Result:
Recipient
ExxonMobil Music Award (JXTG Music Award)
2003
Organization:
ExxonMobil Music Award
Result:
Recipient
Art Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2015
Organization:
Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result:
Recipient
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
La bohème (Rodolfo)
1992 OperaDebuted in the role of Rodolfo in Puccini's La bohème with Nikikai; a key early success in his operatic career.
LoveYouthTragedy
Calaf in Turandot
OperaRenowned for his portrayal of Calaf in Puccini's Turandot; considered one of his signature roles.
PassionHeroism
I Love You (album)
2006 Album (Songs)Solo album featuring a mix of popular songs and art songs.
LoveNostalgia
Bibliography
- I Love You (2006)
- Ai wa Chikara (alan × Kei Fukui, 2011)
- When You're Sad - Kei Fukui Sings Japan (2011)
- Kono Michi - Kei Fukui Sings His Hometown (2014)
- Rokki ~ Singing the Heart (2017)
- Kenji Miyazawa: The Complete Songs (2022)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Lyrical vocalismEmotionally rich phrasing
- Recurring Motifs
- Dedication to Italian repertoireInterpretation of Japanese art songs
Legacy
A highly regarded tenor both domestically and internationally. Performed with major opera houses and orchestras, and contributed as an educator. Left a broad repertoire including recordings of Japanese art songs.
Trivia
- Sang the title role in Lohengrin for the New National Theatre opening commemorative performance.
- Has appeared many times in the NHK New Year's Opera Concert from 1998 through 2025.
- Studied in Italy and is well known for his Italian repertoire.