In the winter of 2015, an unprecedented collaboration between three distinct genres—Noh, contemporary music, and fashion—will unfold. Titled "Noh Opera," what kind of chemistry will unfold between this time-honored Japanese performing art and cutting-edge creative work? The lineup of performers boasts a diverse range of talents. Along with Noh artist Ryoko Aoki and fashion designer Yoshikazu Yamagata, the lineup also includes percussionist Hideki Ikegami, flutist Kazushi Saito, and composer Noriko Baba. This unique endeavor was born out of a conversation between Aoki and Yamagata. "I met Yamagata about 10 years ago. We met while studying abroad in London, and we'd always talked about doing something together," Aoki explains. "I've studied Noh since I was a child, and gradually I began to question the very essence of tradition. As I searched for the answer, I began to challenge myself to collaborate with composers from around the world on stage productions. This wasn't simply about preserving tradition, nor was it about creating something new unrelated to tradition; it was about creating new art based on Japanese tradition," she says. With this in mind, Aoki, determined not to simply combine existing elements, created an entirely new work that transcended the boundaries of Noh, contemporary music, and fashion. "Traditional Noh is performed in a simple stage space, but the costumes and masks play a major role in visually expressing the spirituality of Noh. I'm excited to see what new worlds will emerge when a modern fashion designer designs the costumes, which are such a crucial element of expression," she says, expressing her expectations for Yamagata's costumes.
Furthermore, he has high expectations for composer Baba Noriko, saying, "She creates edgy, precise music. I'm sure that her collaboration with Yamagata will result in an extraordinary work."
The unveiling will be on December 14th. We hope you will immerse yourself in this unknown experience at the stage, Hakuju Hall.
[Performance Information]
3rd "Noh x Contemporary Music x Fashion Noh Opera Nopera AOI"
Date: December 14th
Location: Hakuju Hall
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm, performance begins at 7pm (with break)
