Kaori Williams Kaori Williams

Kaori Williams, soprano

Chicago-based, internationally acclaimed soprano Kaori Williams has captured the hearts of audiences around the world with her charming stage presence and the unique beauty of her soprano voice. She has been heralded with particular praise for her compelling portrayal of Cio Cio-san in Madame Butterfly as well as Liu in Turandot.  Her petite size and outstanding, authentic acting made her an ideal visual and vocal Cio Cio-san creating entrancing blend of musical performance with a compelling and realistic expression of a strong yet vulnerable woman.  Ms. Williams began her career with Fujiwara Opera company in Tokyo before relocating to the United States.

Beyond opera Ms. Williams has frequently appeared with symphony orchestras including 2014 with the China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra performing 5 songs by Richard Strauss; including the China Premiere of Die heiligen drei Konige aus Morgenland, Op. 56 No. 6 and Gesang der Apollopriesterin.

Recently she released a recording of traditional Japanese songs - My Home, My Heart – including rarely heard songs by Akira Ifukube which are based on melodies of the Gilyak peoples of Sakhalin Island.