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The man who invited the world's three greatest tenors to Japan.

2020.6.3

A strong bond with Domingo. Producer Tadao Terashima brings to Japan the sincerity of the treasures of the opera world.

Plácido Domingo, Jose Carreras, and the late Pavarotti...there is a talented producer who invited the treasures of the opera world, known as the world's three greatest tenors, to Japan. What is the performance that most moved the heart of Tadao Terashima, who has introduced high-quality entertainment not only from the classical world but also from overseas artists of various genres to Japan? What do Terashima have to say now, after making Plácido Domingo's successful performance in Japan in early 2020?

From jazz singer to American-based music producer

Nowadays, you can enjoy concerts by many overseas artists while staying in Japan. We take this for granted, but it was unimaginable just a few decades ago. The current situation has been created by music producers who have built solid connections in the overseas music industry. Among them, Tadao Terashima, the president of Pacific Music Enterprises, is a major producer who has invited top artists of all genres to Japan since the 70s. He has been one of the driving forces behind the Japanese music industry for a long time.

 

Terashima originally aimed to become a jazz singer. He started out as a singer in a popular band and worked as an exclusive singer at a high-end club. He learned about show business from seeing Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Sammy Davis Jr. on stage at clubs. He first came to the United States in 1965 because he wanted to listen to authentic jazz. ``I came back feeling very shocked by the difference in attitude and technique in how they show things to people.'' This trip was also a turning point in my personal life. He met a woman living in San Francisco, the two ended up getting married, and the following year, in 66, he decided to settle permanently and returned to the United States. In 71, he founded Pacific Music Enterprises, which initially produced American performances by Japanese singers.

The three major tenors performed in Japan after 6 years.

Perry Como was the reason Terashima gained attention in Japan. He is said to be the last big name not to come to Japan, and his name became well-known in the Japanese music industry after he made Como's performance in Japan possible. After that, Peggy Lee continued to be active throughout the prewar and postwar period, the Manhattan Transfer, who took the world by storm with her jazz chorus, and Kenny Rogers, who had a huge hit in the 70s and 80s. Terashima sent to Japan such artists as ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, who also appeared in "The Days," and Natalie Cole, who gained renewed attention for her overtab duet with her late father Nat King Cole, "Unforgettable." There are too many artists to list.

 

Among them, he has a deep relationship with Placido Domingo, and upon his first visit to Japan in 87, he gained tremendous trust and was entrusted with agency work in the Far East region. Terashima was also responsible for the first Japanese performance of the three major tenors Domingo, Pavarotti, and Carreras at the National Stadium in 96. "It's amazing that three rivals can stand on the same stage. When I first heard about this, I decided that I would definitely do the Japan performance myself, so I went to see the performance in Rome. Since this is just the beginning, it has taken six years to realize it."

 

At the Japanese performance, the three of them surprised the audience by singing ``Like a River,'' which was Terashima's song selection. ``I wanted to sing a Japanese song because it was aired on TV and a lot of people would watch it.I spent a year thinking about what kind of song I wanted.Everyone was surprised and said, ``What!'' It had to move people. I decided that this was the only song I wanted. I don't think I made a mistake."

A snapshot of the three major tenors surrounding the Terajima couple: Domingo, Pavarotti, and Carreras. A snapshot of the three major tenors surrounding the Terajima couple: Domingo, Pavarotti, and Carreras.

A snapshot of the three major tenors surrounding the Terajima couple: Domingo, Pavarotti, and Carreras.


A strong bond with Placido Domingo
The most emotional concert where Domingo's words touched my heart

Domingo has performed in Japan nearly 30 times, but the most emotional performance was in Tokyo, one month after the Great East Japan Earthquake. It was a legendary concert in which Domingo prayed and sang the song ``Hometown'' in Japanese during the encore, and the audience, who stood up to their feet, cried as they sang along. After the earthquake, Terashima continued to send official data from the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company to Domingo, who was preparing to come to Japan, but he never told Domingo that he was ``absolutely fine.'' However, Domingo arrived in Japan as planned.

 

When asked if he had any hesitations about coming, Domingo replied, ``I never had any doubts.If the situation was better not to come, I would have asked Yoshiko (Terashima's wife) and Terry (Terajima's wife), who I have worked with for 24 years. "If they didn't tell me, I was sure it was safe." Hearing these words, Terajima could not hold back her tears. A strong bond created by a deep relationship of trust with the artist. This is what supports Terashima's success.

Domingo's heroic figure singing passionately at the Suntory Hall performance in January 2020. The audience was greeted with admiration by the power of the baritone. ©Rikimaru Hotta Domingo's heroic figure singing passionately at the Suntory Hall performance in January 2020. The audience was greeted with admiration by the power of the baritone. ©Rikimaru Hotta

Domingo's heroic figure singing passionately at the Suntory Hall performance in January 2020. The audience was greeted with admiration by the power of the baritone. ©Rikimaru Hotta

Terashima is 85 years old, but he is still active. He travels back and forth between his base in San Francisco and Japan, most recently performing with Plácido Domingo in January 2020. ``Domingo changed from a tenor to a baritone four years ago, and his voice was deep and amazing, and all the fans were surprised.This time, he was really great.'' If possible, I would like to perform with Domingo again in Japan. If it's Terajima's dream, I'm sure he'll make it come true.

 

(Titles omitted)

Tadao Terajima

Born in 1935. While studying at the Nihon University College of Art, he became an exclusive member of the Blue Coats on the recommendation of jazz singer Steve Kamayatsu, who was his student, and started his career as a singer at the military officers' club. He moved to the United States in 65. In 66, when she got married, she decided to live permanently and returned to the United States. In 71, she established Pacific Music Enterprises Co., Ltd. In 77, he became involved in bringing the big band ``Buddy Rich Orchestra'' to Japan, and later expanded his business to include sending American artists to Japan. Since then, he has worked with many artists, most notably the Three Tenors tour in Japan (96), the Friendship Concert (89), which welcomed President and Mrs. Reagan and featured Perry Como and Plácido Domingo, Carreras and Domingo. , and ``Super Concert'' (97), an event commemorating the opening of the Osaka Dome in which Diana Ross appeared, inviting performances that will remain in the memories of many people. In 2019, he received the Minister of Foreign Affairs' Commendation in recognition of his long-standing contributions to promoting cultural exchange between Japan and the United States through the arts.

Photography by Kinji Kanno (amana)
Text by Yoshiko Takahashi

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