Mr. Minoru Yoda, a class mate from a middle school, held a concert of commemorating his 76th birthday this afternoon at Waseda Christ Chuch's Volunteers Skot Hall near Waseda University from two o'clock, as I referred him on a page of June 4, 2000 of my diary. The hall was built of woods with high roof. The outside wall is made of bricks. As it has little sound reflection effects, it might be hard for him to sing. But he did not care it at all. He did not exert himself but looked very cool. He sang beautifully.

Italian Songs Gasparini: Caro Iaccio, dolce nodo ; Martini: Piacer d' amor ; Handel: Ombra mai fu

Neapolitan Songs Coterie: Sainto Lecia; Di Curtis: Torna a Surriento

Aria Mozart : from Le Nozze di Figaro

Part I was finished here. The Mozart was excellent among them. I wish to listen it again.

Then Ms. Asako Yoda, mezzosoprano, sang three songs for her father.

Gounod: Ave Maria ; Dvorak: Als die alte Mutter; Ｂｉｚｅｔ：Ｈａｖａｎｅｒａ from Carmen.

It was my first experience to listen songs sang by a professional singer at a place where was very close to her. It was really an exciting moment.

After her, Mr. Yoda continued to sing Japanese songs which he himself selected; Defune, Rains on Jogashima Island, Blue Waltz and First Love ( written by Takuboku Ishikawa and composed by Tatsunoske Koshitani. He added two his good old songs, Sand Hills ( written by Hakushu Kitahara, composed by Shimpei Nakayama) and Look Up Stars at Night ( witten by Rokusuke Ei).

Ms. Youko Hattori, a veteran prompter of Nikikai, played piano for both of Yoda. Her piano backed up Mr. Yoda quite well.

What I was the most impressed this afternoon, he sang every foreign song including an encore in its original language. When he called me in June, he wished to sing at least one song in its original language. He must have made very efforts to sing every song in its original language and I felt his pride and stubbornness. After the concert, a picture together with his class mates was taken. He looks the most active among us.

The concert programs handed to the entrants to the hall or posters were hand made by his son, I presume. His wife was very busy for taking care of entrants. It was a warm and wonderful concert commemorating Mr. Yoda's 76th birthday.

Today it was fine from early morning. I drove up to Otome path about one hour and a half earlier than four days ago with the result that I could see much clearer Mt. Fuji as the moistures did not come out much yet. Although the down traffic on Tomei Super Highway was heavily congested, the up traffic was very light and I came back to my home about eleven thirty. After lunch, I went to Mr. Yoda's concert via subway.

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