The Information University Educational Corporation—Kyoto College of Graduate Studies in Information Science (KCGI) and Kyoto Computer Gakuin (KCG)—will celebrate the 90th birthday of Professor Milan Brach (a native of the Czech Republic), who has served as a professor at KCGI since its founding, on Friday, October 30, 2026,at the Grand Hall (Concert Hall) on the 6th floor of the KCGI Kyoto Station Satellite Campus and KCG Kyoto Station Campus. The concert will feature soprano Michiko Sato, a registered member of the Biwako Hall Vocal Ensemble and soloist,tenor Hiroharu Ono, who is expanding his activities across Europe and Japan, and KCGI professor and internationally renowned pianist Kyoko Takagawa.We have also invited those who have shown understanding and support for our university’s educational activities to attend Part 2.On a crisp autumn day, students and invited guests enjoyed the world of opera.
Before the concert began, the entire audience sang “Happy Birthday to You,” and Professor Brach was presented with a bouquet of flowers.Professor Blach said, “I am very happy to be celebrated by all of you in this way.”"I'll do my best until I'm 100," he said in his remarks.
The program for the concert that day was as follows.
- C. Gounod, “The Jewel Song” from the opera *Faust*
- G. Bizet, “The Flower You Threw at Me (The Flower Song)” from the opera *Carmen*
- G. Puccini: From the opera *Madama Butterfly*—“Evening Duet,” “One Fine Day,” and “Farewell, My Love’s Nest”
- F. Liszt, “Rigoletto Paraphrase” based on Verdi’s opera *Rigoletto*
- R. Leoncavallo, “The Song of the Bird” from the opera *Il Pagliaccio*
- G. Puccini, “Nessun dorma” from the opera *Turandot*
- G. Verdi, “The Drinking Song” from the opera *La Traviata*
Mr. Sato graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts and, while a student there, completed the Matheiser Sommerakademie in Germany.In addition to appearing in numerous operas and concerts as a member of the Lake Biwa Hall Vocal Ensemble, she received critical acclaim for her performance in the title role of *Madama Butterfly*, the first opera production at Kyoto Minamiza.She has performed nationwide, including in the Kagoshima Opera 50th Anniversary Lecture on *Madama Butterfly*, as well as in the New National Theatre’s productions of *Die Walküre*, *Carmen*, and *Madama Butterfly*. She has also starred in Japanese works such as *Tenshu Monogatari* and served as a soloist in religious music.
Mr. Ono graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and completed the San Lorenzo Musica Master Class in Rome, Italy.He honed his skills in Rome and Vienna and has appeared in numerous operas and concerts.In 2024, he began studying under Jörg Schneider (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna) and launched his professional career in Europe.He has performed many roles as a spinto tenor, and in recent years has focused primarily on works by Wagner and R. Strauss.Currently, he is expanding his scope of activities with bases in Europe and Japan.
Professor Tagawa graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts with a Bachelor of Music (M.A.: Music) and from the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden, Germany.With a wide-ranging repertoire spanning from Baroque to contemporary music, he is active in a variety of fields, including performing numerous solo recitals both in Japan and abroad, as well as collaborating with orchestras and performing chamber music.She is also known for his successful "Complete Beethoven Piano Sonata Concerts" (2009-2011).She teaches "Introduction to Music" at KCGI.
At the KCG Group—including KCG and KCGI—we not only focus on helping students acquire specialized knowledge and skills, but also incorporate general education courses into the curriculum to cultivate their intellectual and emotional development. To this end, we organize events such as classical music concerts, various cultural lectures, and traditional performing arts performances.These events are also attended by educators from outside the university and members of the general public.