Ikuma Dan

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Ikuma Dan (團伊玖磨, Dan Ikuma^?, 7 April 1924—17 May 2001) was a Japanese composer, especially of operas.

[edit] Biography

Dan was born in Tokyo, the descendant of a prominent family, his grandfather Baron Dan Takuma having been President of Mitsui before being assassinated in 1932. He graduated from the prestigious Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1946. One of his teachers was the famous opera composer Kosaku Yamada.

During his career he wrote seven operas as well as a considerable amount of film music and many songs. He wrote celebratory music for the Japanese imperial family, was active in promoting cultural exchanges with China from 1979 up until his death in Suzhou in 2001, and he was chosen to write a new opera, Takeru, for the opening of the New National Theatre, Tokyo in 1997.

He is best known for his accessible and charming 1952 opera Yūzuru (Twilight Crane) which is revived periodically. Much of his work has been recorded.

Dan died in Suzhou, China.

[edit] Stage works

Yūzuru (Twilight Crane), opera in 1 act, text by Junji Kinoshita, (Osaka, 1952)
Kikimimizukin (The Listening Cap), opera in 3 acts, text by Junji Kinoshita (Osaka, 1955)
Yōkihi (Yang Guifei), opera in 3 acts, text by Jirō Osaragi (Tokyo, 1958)
Futari Shizuka, dance drama (1961)
Hikarigoke (Luminous Moss), opera in 2 acts, text by T. Takeda (Osaka, 1972)
Chanchiki, opera in 2 acts, text by Y. Mizuki (Tokyo, 1975)
Master Flute Player, ballet (1989)
Susanô, opera (1994)
Takeru, (Tokyo, 1997)