The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera

Yamada, Kōsaku (b Tokyo, 9 June 1886; d Tokyo, 29 Dec. 1965). Japanese composer and conductor. Studied Tokyo with Werkmeister, Berlin with Bruch and Wolf. Production of his first opera, Fallen Angel (comp. 1913), was delayed by the outbreak of war; its eventual production in 1929 led to a commission for Paris which he fulfilled with The Sweet Flag ( 1931). He was instrumental in the development of opera in Japan, and toured worldwide as a conductor. His most successful opera was The Black Ships ( 1940). He remained throughout his life a strong advocate of Wagner and Richard Strauss, and sought reconciliation between a late German Romantic manner and Japanese musical characteristics.

Yamadori. A Japanese prince (bar, sometimes ten), suitor for Butterfly's hand, in Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

Yaroslavna. Princess Yaroslavna (sop), Igor's second wife, in Borodin Prince Igor.

Yeletsky. See ELETSKY.

Yniold. The young son (sop) of Golaud, stepson of Mélisande, in Debussy Pelléas et Mélisande.

Yolanta. Opera in 1 act (9 scenes) by Tchaikovsky; text by Modest Tchaikovsky, after Henrik Hertz story Kong Renés Datter (trans. Zvantsev), after Hans Andersen. Prem. St Petersburg, M, 18 Dec. 1892.

Provence, Middle Ages. Yolanta (sop), daughter of King René of Provence (bs), has had knowledge of her blindness kept from her; the penalty for anyone revealing her disability to her is death. Ebn-Hakia (bar), a Moorish doctor, tells the King that only if she knows of her blindness and wills its removal can he cure her. Into her garden comes Robert, Duke of Burgundy (bs-bar), with Count Vaudémont (ten), who discovers Yolanta's blindness and falls in love with her, as she with him. They are interrupted, and the King declares that Vaudémont must die unless she regains her sight. This ruse succeeds in curing her; Robert, who was engaged to Yolanta, but loved another, is released from his bond, and she is betrothed to Vaudémont.

Young Lord, The. See JUNGE LORD, DER.

'Your tiny hand is frozen'. See 'CHE GELIDA MANINA'.

YsaŸe, Eugène (b Liège, 16 July 1858; d Brussels, 12 May 1931). Belgian violinist, conductor, and composer. Cond. London, CG, 1907 ( Fidelio). Composed an opera to his own Walloon text, Piér li houïeu (Peter the Miner, 1931). Hoped to conduct this, but collapsed at the first rehearsal and only heard one performance.

Yun, Isang (b Tongyong, 17 Sept. 1917). Korean, later German, composer. Studied Osaka and Tokyo, later Paris with Revel, Berlin with Blacher and Rufer. Worked in Darmstadt summer schools; later taught Hanover and Berlin. In his operas, which include Der Traum des Liu-Tung ( Liu-Tung Dream, 1965) and Sim Tjong ( 1972), he has, as elsewhere, sought a reconciliation between Western techniques and oriental styles; they are principally based on Taoist philosophy, and employ highly individual vocal techniques.

Yurisich, Gregory (b Mt Lawley, 13 Oct. 1951). Australian baritone. Studied Perth. Début Sydney 1974 ( Paolo, Simon Boccanegra); also sang Germont and Masetto with Australian O. European début Frankfurt 1989 (Bottom). London, ENO, as Mozart's Figaro, Escamillo, and in prem. of Oliver Timon of Athens ( 1991). He brings clear diction and a strong stage presence to roles including William Tell ( London, CG, 1990) and Leporello (Gly. 1991). (R)

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