Yoko was born in
Kitakyushu city,
Fukuoka Prefecture, where her father practiced medicine. She first studied piano, and then studied vocal when she reached high school age. Following her high school graduation, she studied at the
Tokyo University of the Arts. After she graduated in 1976, she left for Italy, studying at
Teatro alla Scala Academy of Lyric Opera. She made her stage debut in the role of Nedda in
Pagliacci in 1983, after which she sung in Italy. She was also known for her large repertoire including such works as Micaela in
Carmen, Donna Elvira in
Don Giovanni, Marguerite in
Faust and Amelia in
Verdi's
Simon Boccanegra. She returned to Japan in 1985 for her much-celebrated first performance at home with the
Fujiwara Opera troupe, as the title role in Puccini's
Madama Butterfly, her signature role. Watanabe died from
cancer in her
Milan home on 15 July, 2004 at the age of 51. == References ==