Melody
Tachibana
King
LIRICO-SPINTO SOPRANO
Bio
A LITTLE ABOUT MELODY
Melody Tachibana King is a versatile artist whose work spans the stage as a performer, stage director, and creator. This past year has marked a remarkable series of firsts. Melody recently made her debut as Rodolfo, a role written for a male tenor, with the Santa Cruz Opera Project in La Bohème, which closed to a sold-out run. In February 2026, Melody made her highly successful stage directorial debut with Pocket Opera's production of Madama Butterfly—a vision so resonant that the company is bringing it back as its 2027 season opener. Her interpretation featured an bilingual libretto (English for the American characters, Japanese for the Japanese characters), and culturally authentic costuming. Critics praised her for using "her personal connection to her heritage to emphasize cultural authenticity" and for making "a unique, striking choice" with the bilingual approach. Melody's momentum continues to build. Last year, she made her cabaret debut with a mini-showcase of her motherhood-themed concert, which she is continuing to develop into a full-length show—stay tuned for the date of her first performance!
Melody's distinguished operatic repertoire includes acclaimed roles such as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Leila in Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Cio Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Mimi and Musetta in La Bohème, Angelica in Suor Angelica, Nedda in I Pagliacci, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Leonora in Il Trovatore, Lucrezia in Il Due Foscari, and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. She is particularly celebrated for her authentic interpretation of Cio Cio San, reflecting her profound understanding of Japanese culture and traditions. Having spent her formative years in Japan, Melody is fluent in Japanese, offering a unique perspective that beautifully integrates her American and Japanese backgrounds.
Dedicated to her artistic development, Melody is currently studying in the Acting for Singers class led by Bobby Weinapple at Seydways Acting Studios in San Francisco. She is a former artist in residence with Opera San Jose and currently studies voice under Julia Nielsen. A proud graduate of the New England Conservatory, she holds a master’s degree in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Music Education.
Melody's musical journey began in early childhood, harmonizing with her father at the piano, which ignited her enduring passion for music. Outside of her artistic pursuits, she loves to travel with her family and treasures her role as a devoted mother of two.
Thank you for visiting her website — join her in celebrating the beauty of music and culture as she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her career!
Opera
Roles
PERFORMED
Cio-Cio-San, Madama Butterfly
Donna Anna, Don Giovanni
Santuzza, Cavalleria Rusticana
Leonora and Ines, Il Trovatore
Lucrezia Contarini, I due Foscari
Leila, Les pêcheurs de perles
Rosalinde, Die Fledermaus
Mimì, Rodolfo, and Musetta (cover), La bohème
Angelica and Cercatrice I, Suor Angelica
Lauretta and La Ciesca, Gianni Schicchi
Nedda, I Pagliacci
Juliette (cover), Romeo et Juliette
Mrs. Páskova, The Cunning Little Vixen
Mercedes, La Reve de Carmen
Duenna, Der Rosenkavalier
Yvette and Sopranino, La Rondine
First Lady, Magic Flute
Rosette, Manon
Reviews
San Francisco Classical Voice
BY JASON VICTOR SERINUS
The undisputed star, soprano Melody Tachibana King, is a lyrico-spinto whose understanding of the role is complete. Blessed with a beautiful voice that carries well, colorful and well-controlled vibrato, and natural dramatic instincts, she husbanded her resources until the final act, where the volume and solidity of her highs in her moving “Tu, tu piccolo addio” contrasted with the vocal restraint of much that had preceded it. Her movements, too, were carefully judged, remaining within the confines of what might be considered a very young geisha’s province. Although wanting for more sustained high climaxes, her deeply sympathetic portrayal and fully committed, plangent vocalism elicited deserved bravas.
The Independent
BY SARAH BOBSON
The night belonged to Melody King. Singing the title role in Livermore Valley Opera's current production of Madama Butterfly...King simply captivated the audience. She looked and acted the part of the submissive, 15-year-old geisha bride with a a playful innocence that was engaging and enchanting. This is all the more remarkable since this is her first time in the role. In "Un bel di" King's full-bodied rice lyric soprano invested the famous aria with a longing that went far beyond simple sentimentality.
Mercury News
BY RICHARD SCHEININ
As flirtatious Rosalinde, new resident soprano Melody King showed off her attractive and broad-beamed voice
Broadway World San Francisco
BY HARMONY WHEELER
soprano Melody King clearly deserves to make it to the Metropolitan Opera stage some day. King, who sings the role of Leila, exhibits extraordinary control over he voice and glides over her difficult high notes.
San Francisco Classical Voice
BY SCOTT MACCLELLAN
King’s richly grained soprano had little chance to warm up before being thrown into coloratura display when her prayer to Brahma (she’s the chaste priestess du jour) grows to a delirious outburst of love for Nadir.
