English translation is below ⇩
From an Interview in June 2006
Q: Your Germont ( "La Traviata" with Metropolitan Opera) brought a sensation! Did you notice audiences' enthusiasm?
D: I was extremely happy to receive such a huge applause in ※Kobe that the concert was posed for the excitements. I am having a bit of a pain in my throat right now, but someone told me that "green tea works your throat", so now I am having green tea several cups a day (laugh). I feel that the pain is relieved a bit by green tea.
(※ Not Kobe, but exactly Nishinomiya)
Q: You bring a recital to Suntory Hall on June 26. It is the same program of your Carnegie Hal last year, that the New York Times gave a great review.
D: Actually, I have never met the critic who wrote the review. I heard that he has deep knowledge in music and culture, but also he is well known for his sharp criticism. It is a pleasure to receive such a great review for my performance and Russian songs.
Q: Is the program made all Russian composers, except Duparc?
D: Recently I had a chance to discover the works of Duparc. These songs are not most well-known, but I liked it. In addition to the delicacy, they have a wonderful romanticism that the French songs have, and they are very harmonious. It reminds me of my favorite work by Wagner. I would like to continue singing Duparc. Although the program of the whole recital is a dark tone, I think Duparc gives lightness in it.
Q: Do you have any particularly favorite in your Russian repertoires?
D: Mussorgsky's "Song and Dance of Death". I have been singing this piece for a long time. I can not explain by words, but it is the song that my interpretation has been changing. It contains 4 songs. The first song "Lullaby" is the death of the baby (mother's point of view), the second song "Serenade" is the death of the young maiden, the third song "Trepak" is the death of an old farmer, and the last "Commander " is massacre by war. The four aspects of death are expressed visually and cleary. I think that is the uniqueness which I can not find it in Schumann or Schubert.
Q: Could you tell us what should we prepare for the recital?
D: Well, it's a difficult question (laugh). I would say...."Please come with open heart". In my early twenties, I had an unforgettable experience. I had an opportunity to sing Verdi's aria in a freezing cold factory in Siberia. The venue was so dark and quiet. When I finished singing, I received enormous warm applause that made me surprised enough. Some of audiences were crying. It was an Italian song, most people there did not understand lyric, they did not know the words. To me it was the moment that I realized the power of music. The musicians can inspire people by our expression and passion. If you are coming to the recital, I'd like to ask you "trust your heart and enjoy." I am looking forward to seeing you.