Baritone Christ貌pheren Nomura joined JPR's Don Matthews in the Steve Nelson performance space during his recent visit to the Rogue Valley for a concert called "With Malice Toward None, With Charity For All." Nomura performed "At the River" by Aaron Copland, "A Curse On Geographers" by Stefania de Kenessey and "Gaman" from "Allegiance," and was accompanied by pianist Daniel Lockert.
Nomura has had a fascinating career that began when he made his professional opera debut at age 6. Having performed in major opera houses all over the world, Nomura also appeared in the film version of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" directed by Martin Scorsese. Filmed on location in Tunis, he arrived weeks before the filming began to learn how to ride a horse.
Nomura's career also includes a trip to Broadway where he appeared in the original cast of "Allegiance". Based on the childhood experiences of George Takei, who was Sulu in Star Trek, the story centers around a family of Japanese American citizens who were held in camps during World War II.
Nomura's appearance in the Heart of Humanity series included the world premiere of music by Jodi French and Ethan Gans-Morse.