ARTIST

ARTIST

Motoki Ishii(Tenor)

Motoki Ishii graduated from the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Vocal Music, and completed the Master’s Program in Vocal Studies at the Graduate School of Music of the same university. He also completed the Advanced Course (5th term) of the Suntory Hall Opera Academy. Upon graduation, he received both the Acanthus Music Prize and the Doseikai Prize. He was awarded the Second Prize (Grand Prize Runner-up) and the Jury’s Special Prize at the 4th Nikko International Music Festival Vocal Competition, and the Second Prize at the 30th Takarazuka Vega Music Competition. He was also a finalist at the 43rd Iizuka New Artist Music Competition.
In March 2020, he transitioned from baritone to tenor.

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He has appeared with numerous orchestras both in Japan and abroad, including the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Takeshi Ooi), Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Ryusuke Numajiri), Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Shimpei Sasaki), Quigdao Symphony Orchestra, Fuzhou Straits Symphony Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Tan Dun).
As a concert soloist, his repertoire includes W.A.Mozart’s "Vesperae solennes de confessore", F.Schubert’s Mass in G major D167 and Mass in A-flat major D678, and L.V.Beethoven’s Symphony No.9.
He made his operatic debut in 2021 as Alfredo in G.Verdi’s "La Traviata"(conducted by Toshiaki Murakami) in the Suntory Hall "Fresh Opera" series. Since then, his major operatic appearances include Rodolfo in G.Puccini’s "La Bohème" with Fujisawa Civic Opera (2022, conducted by Ryuichiro Sonoda) and Shimane Prefectural Opera (2023, conducted by Hiroyuki Mito); G.Verdi’s "Un ballo in maschera" in “Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo Vol.3” at the Tokyo Spring Festival 2023; L.Cherubini’s "Médée"(Japanese premiere) in the NISSAY OPERA 2023, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Nissay Theatre; G.Rossini’s Otello for the 50th anniversary of the Fujisawa Civic Opera; and G. Puccini’s "La Bohème"(conducted by Michiyoshi Inoue) in the 2024 National Joint Opera Production. Through these performances, he has steadily expanded his operatic repertoire.
In 2022, he appeared in "Shun no Meikashu Series 2022–III," presented by the Japan Performing Arts Foundation(NBS) and the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, performing with world-renowned soprano Lisette Oropesa and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Francesco Lanzillotta. In June 2023, he made his international debut at the Shangyin Opera House as Prince in Tan Dun’s "TEA:A Mirror of Soul", becoming the first Japanese singer to perform the role. He also appeared in subsequent performances in Fuzhou and Hong Kong, receiving acclaim for his expressive artistry and strong stage presence.
In 2024, he sang the Messenger in G.Verdi’s "Aida" conducted by Riccardo Muti at the Tokyo Spring Festival, a performance later broadcast nationwide on NHK’s "Premium Theater".
Recent highlights include the title role in G.Verdi’s "Ernani" and Gabriele Adorno in "Simon Boccanegra" for "Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo Vol.5" at the Tokyo Spring Festival 2025, both of which were met with critical praise.
In October 2025, he was appointed Assistant Faculty Member at the Suntory Hall Opera Academy, where he is also devoted to nurturing the next generation of singers alongside his performing career.
His upcoming engagements include L.V.Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 as tenor soloist with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Daichi Deguchi), and his European operatic debut as Prince in Tan Dun’s "TEA:A Mirror of Soul" (conducted by Tan Dun) at the Palace of Arts (Müpa Budapest) in April 2026.
He is regarded as one of the most promising and rapidly rising tenors of his generation.
PARTICIPATING PERFORMANCES

20260411

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Recital Hall

Tokyo-HARUSAI〈Making Sense〉Series vol.2
“Manon Lescaut”
With Talk and Music

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