Educated both in Sydney and Tokyo, soprano Akiko Nakajima began her international career winning the first prize in the 1990 Australian Singing Competition, which was followed by her debuts, first at the Sydney Opera House under Christopher Hogwood then later at the Victoria State Theatre, Melbourne, in Mozart's opera La Clemenza di Tito, as Servilia in 1991. 

After these successful seasons in Australia, Akiko was invited by Christopher Hogwood to join a concert tour in Japan with his Academy of Ancient Music as a guest soloist.  With them, she has performed in well known concert halls such as Suntrory Hall in Tokyo and Izumi Hall in Osaka. 

In early 1992, Akiko made her European debut at the San Carlo Theatre in Naples as Musetta in La bohème.  She was invited back the same year to perform in Paisiello's L'idolo Cinese.  Also that same year she appeared in the title role of Händel's opera Alcina for Innsbruck's Festwochen der Alten Musik. 

As a resident principal artist at the Tiroler Landestheatre in Innbruck from 1992 through 1997, Akiko performed important roles from the Italian bel canto repertoire.  These include Amina in La Sonnambula, Marie in La fille du régiment, Adina in L'elisir d' amore, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia as well as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and Ännchen in Freischütz. She returns regularly as a guest artist. 

Outside standard operatic repertoire, Akiko Nakajima was chosen to sing the world premiere of The Marriage Between Zones Three, Four and Five, in Heidelberg, 1997.  In 1998 another premiere was Sandeep Bhagwati's opera Ramanujan, produced by the Münchener Biennale and the IRCAM-Institute Paris. 

In 1999 she performed the role of Micaela in Carmen at the National Theatre in Tokyo, and in Darmstadt, Lucia di Lammermoor, Sandrina in La Finta Giardiniera, and Micaela in Carmen. In the 1999/2000 season engagements included Vögel by Braunfels, Hansel und Gretel, Don Pasquale, Die Zauberflöte and L'elisir d'Amore, in a televised concert with the Cologne Radio Orchestra, and a concert of operetta at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. 

Akiko Nakajima is also an accomplished oratorio and recital singer.  Her preferred repertoire includes Bach Passions, Schubert and Wolf lieder.  She has given recitals at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris and at the Tivoli Summer Festival in Copenhagen. 

Akiko is currently a member of the ensemble of the Volksoper, Vienna.

Quotes:

“Sung with full conviction…You could hear a real ensemble performance. Akiko Nakajima sings the role of Anne excellently, and is a stroke of luck for the Volksoper.”

Kurier