Jun Ishikawa's "The Tale of Shion" is a globally talked-about work that was nominated in the New Works category of the International Opera Awards 2020, which recognizes achievements in opera worldwide. It is a drama about a young man wandering around in search of his way in life. This shocking musical thrilled a full house and is now available to stream for free.
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
New National Theatre "Stay-at-Home Theater" information page: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/sugomori/
The New National Theatre is offering a free streaming of performance recordings of its performances to those who have been spending an extended period of time at home, as well as to lovers of performing arts. The new opera "The Tale of Shion," which has been the biggest hit in the music world in 2019 and has garnered a great response in the literary world and even overseas, will be released in the last week of May, fitting perfectly for "stay-at-home" events.
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
Due to the cancellation of all of its sponsored performances, the New National Theatre began streaming performance recordings free of charge online from April 10th. This project has received an enormous response, and since the first release, "The Magic Flute," they have streamed four operas and two ballets on a weekly basis, with each production consistently recording between 20,000 and 40,000 views.
For our seventh installment, we'll be presenting the long-awaited opera "The Tale of Asters," which took the music scene by storm in 2019, during the final week of May (May 22, 3:00 PM - May 29, 2:00 PM). Despite the challenges of creating a new opera, full houses gathered at the venue each day to witness the world premiere, and the audience, enthralled by the suspenseful drama, delivered continuous standing ovations. The response has spread beyond the music world to the theater and literary circles, generating buzz both in Japan and abroad, including being ranked among the top ten concerts by Ongaku no Tomo magazine, winning librettist Mikio Sasaki the inaugural Ooka Shin Award, and being nominated as a finalist in the World Premiere category of the prestigious International Opera Award 2020 (the winner will be announced in September 2020).
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
■Click here to view "The Tale of Shion" at Home Theater
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/sugomori-asters/
English version "The Tale of Shion" viewing page
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/project/nntt-at-home-asters.html
*"The Tale of Shion" at Home Theater will be streamed with Japanese subtitles on the Japanese viewing site, and with English subtitles on the English viewing site.
Is it a devil's arrow that will pierce my life...?...Ishikawa Jun's bold aesthetic is turned into an opera
"The Tale of Purple Flowers" (published in 1956) is a novel set in the Heian dynasty by Ishikawa Jun, a representative writer of the Showa era. It tells the story of Muneyori, a provincial governor born into a family of poets, who abandons poetry and discovers the path of archery. He meets Heita, a Buddhist sculptor who is like a mirror to himself, and when he shoots the Buddha statue, the mountain collapses along with it. This symbolic short story, written in a concise style, is filled with the dynamism and grand worldview that are unique to Ishikawa Jun.
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
![]( "New National Theatre Opera")
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
The story's character development, including the protagonist Muneyori's self-overcoming struggles, the treacherous ambition of Fujiuchi, the symbol of lust and the desire for power, the mysterious woman Chigusa, who is actually the incarnation of a fox, and Heita, who mirrors his own struggles and must overcome them, as well as the spectacular collapse of the mountain, the "demon song" that lingers in its wake, the asters ("forget-me-nots") blooming after the massacre, and the "forget-me-nots" blooming in Shangri-La. While set in ancient Japan, "The Tale of Asters" possesses a contemporary and universal appeal that makes it the perfect subject for an opera to be broadcast to the world. A story that intertwines a fantastical otherworld with the real world is something that can only be expressed through opera. This fast-paced, compelling musical drama captures the audience's hearts and leads them to a flawless conclusion. The world's leading creators come together for the new opera "The Tale of Purple Lily," enveloping the theater in illusion
![]( "New National Theatre Opera")
When Kazushi Ono, a world-renowned conductor active at the forefront of the Western opera world, was appointed Artistic Director of Opera at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, one of his first priorities was to promote new operas by Japanese composers to the world. The first project planned was "The Tale of Purple Lily." The opera "The Tale of Purple Lily" was born from an intense collaboration between Akira Nishimura, one of Japan's leading contemporary composers; Mikio Sasaki (libretto), a poet and longtime collaborator of Nishimura; and Yoshi Oida, an actor and director well-versed in both Eastern and Western art, who lived in the midst of Showa-era culture as Yukio Mishima's last disciple, moved to Europe, and worked internationally with Peter Brook and others.
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
The creative team includes Tom Schenck, who has worked on stage art throughout Europe after working for the likes of Kylian and Forsythe, Richard Hudson, who won a Tony Award for "The Lion King" and has worked on many notable productions at the world's leading theatres, and Lutz Deppe, a lighting designer originally from London who has worked as a photographer and has worked on lighting for global art events. The fantastical stage, in which one symbolic scene after another unfolds - mental conflict, violent impulse, sensuality, collapse, and requiem - is truly an illusion.
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
Under the direction of Kazushi Ono, the world marvels at the sophisticated musical expression that utilizes virtuosity. Described by composer Nishimura himself as "a fierce aria" and "a display of virtuosity to the limits," "The Tale of Purple Flowers" is a challenging work requiring the most challenging vocal techniques, including not only coloratura (fast, ornamental melodies) but also complex leaps, rolled tongues, and accentuated consonants. Leading Japanese singers, including Tomohiro Takada, resident singer at the Kiel Opera House in Germany; Ai Usuki, soprano renowned for her beautiful voice and emotional expression; Kasumi Shimizu, Japan's leading mezzo-soprano; and Toshiaki Murakami, Japan's top tenor, gathered for "The Tale of Purple Flowers." They literally wrestled with and conquered this challenging work, covered in sweat. The Western media who came to cover the performance were amazed not only by the soloists, but also by the New National Theatre Chorus, who energetically and fantastically lit up the stage, the supporting actors who expressed Oida Yoshi's aesthetic as actors, dancers, and stagehands, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, who delivered a dynamic performance in the orchestra pit, and gave high praise, saying, ``The performance was full of inspiration,'' ``Time flew by, and it really moved me,'' ``There were scenes with loud sounds, and scenes full of quiet contemplation,'' and ``It was a sophisticated fusion of music and direction, hearing and seeing, story and expression.''
![]( "From the New National Theatre Opera")
And it has won numerous awards both at home and abroad!
"The Tale of Purple Lily" has won numerous awards, ranking 8th in the annual Top 10 Concerts list of Ongaku no Tomo, Japan's leading music magazine, and its librettist, Sasaki Mikio, was awarded the inaugural Ooka Makoto Award. It was also selected as a finalist in the 2020 World Premiere (New Work) category of the London-based International Opera Awards, which recognizes the achievements of opera around the world (the awards were announced in September 2020). It is literally a globally talked-about work that has transcended the music world, garnering acclaim both at home and abroad.
■Dress rehearsal digest video for the opera "The Tale of Shion"
https://youtu.be/GEr0fYTJqW0
Stay-at-home Theater Opera "The Tale of Shion"
Commissioned by the New National Theatre, world premiere (performed on February 24, 2019)
Streaming dates: May 22 (Fri) 15:00 - May 29 (Fri) 14:00
Viewing address: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/sugomori-asters/
2 acts, performed in Japanese with Japanese subtitles
[Original work] Ishikawa Jun [Libretto] Sasaki Mikio [Composition] Nishimura Akira
[Conductor] Ohno Kazushi [Director] Oida Yoshi
[Starring] Takada Tomohiro, Onuma Toru, Shimizu Kasumi, Usuki Ai, Murakami Toshiaki, Kono Katsunori, Koyama Yojiro and more
[Chorus] New National Theatre Chorus [Orchestra] Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
■Click here for information about "Stay-at-Home Theater"↓
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/sugomori/
English version: NNTT at Home: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/news/all/nntt-at-home.html
*Communication charges associated with watching the video will be borne by the customer.
We look forward to receiving your feedback on various social media platforms from those who have watched the stream.
Please send us your thoughts using the hashtags "#stay-at-home" and "#nnttathome".
~Make staying at home even more fun! Related videos~
The Stay-at-Home Theater page introduces talk events and rehearsal footage related to the works scheduled for distribution.
If you watch them as a "preparation" before the distribution, you'll know what to listen for and watch in each work, making "Stay-at-Home Theater" even more enjoyable.
◆ "Shion Monogatari" related video playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdTyoXj-iYLumaMnDsmVqrTIbrojGuuaB
We introduce three heated rehearsal videos, a conversation between composer Nishimura Akira and Ono Kazushi, and a digest video of the dress rehearsal.
Video version of Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers "Opera Masterpieces" now available on the New National Theatre's official YouTube channel
The New National Theatre is presenting a video version of "Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers" as a special project for you to enjoy at home. The second episode (streamed on May 19th) featured arias and duets from "Rigoletto," "La Traviata," "Samson and Delilah," and "Madame Butterfly," selected by Ono Kazushi.
The five guests featured were Yasui Yoko, Sudo Shingo, Kobayashi Yuka, Murakami Toshiaki, and Kinoshita Mihoko. Ono Kazushi will unravel the four operas with piano accompaniment and narration.
https://youtu.be/39JL6psZIzE
The New National Theatre's official YouTube channel features a wealth of video content unique to the theatre, including the previously streamed "Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers 'The Tales of Hoffmann'", a documentary of the opera Giulio Cesare leading up to the suspension of rehearsals before performances were cancelled in April, as well as previous performances "Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers 'The Magic Flute' and 'Turandot'", rehearsal videos and digest footage of performances, interviews with cast members, and more.
Please take this opportunity to watch them. New National Theatre Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NewNationalTheatre
About the New National Theatre~
As Japan's only national theatre dedicated to contemporary performing arts, the New National Theatre produces and presents opera, ballet, dance and theatre performances, and also provides training for artists.
Web: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
English Page: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/
Click here for company press release details
New National Theatre "Stay-at-Home Theater" information page: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/sugomori/
The New National Theatre is offering a free streaming of performance recordings of its performances to those who have been spending an extended period of time at home, as well as to lovers of performing arts. The new opera "The Tale of Shion," which has been the biggest hit in the music world in 2019 and has garnered a great response in the literary world and even overseas, will be released in the last week of May, fitting perfectly for "stay-at-home" events.
Due to the cancellation of all of its sponsored performances, the New National Theatre began streaming performance recordings free of charge online from April 10th. This project has received an enormous response, and since the first release, "The Magic Flute," they have streamed four operas and two ballets on a weekly basis, with each production consistently recording between 20,000 and 40,000 views.
For our seventh installment, we'll be presenting the long-awaited opera "The Tale of Asters," which took the music scene by storm in 2019, during the final week of May (May 22, 3:00 PM - May 29, 2:00 PM). Despite the challenges of creating a new opera, full houses gathered at the venue each day to witness the world premiere, and the audience, enthralled by the suspenseful drama, delivered continuous standing ovations. The response has spread beyond the music world to the theater and literary circles, generating buzz both in Japan and abroad, including being ranked among the top ten concerts by Ongaku no Tomo magazine, winning librettist Mikio Sasaki the inaugural Ooka Shin Award, and being nominated as a finalist in the World Premiere category of the prestigious International Opera Award 2020 (the winner will be announced in September 2020).
■Click here to view "The Tale of Shion" at Home Theater
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/sugomori-asters/
English version "The Tale of Shion" viewing page
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/project/nntt-at-home-asters.html
*"The Tale of Shion" at Home Theater will be streamed with Japanese subtitles on the Japanese viewing site, and with English subtitles on the English viewing site.
Is it a devil's arrow that will pierce my life...?...Ishikawa Jun's bold aesthetic is turned into an opera
"The Tale of Purple Flowers" (published in 1956) is a novel set in the Heian dynasty by Ishikawa Jun, a representative writer of the Showa era. It tells the story of Muneyori, a provincial governor born into a family of poets, who abandons poetry and discovers the path of archery. He meets Heita, a Buddhist sculptor who is like a mirror to himself, and when he shoots the Buddha statue, the mountain collapses along with it. This symbolic short story, written in a concise style, is filled with the dynamism and grand worldview that are unique to Ishikawa Jun.
The story's character development, including the protagonist Muneyori's self-overcoming struggles, the treacherous ambition of Fujiuchi, the symbol of lust and the desire for power, the mysterious woman Chigusa, who is actually the incarnation of a fox, and Heita, who mirrors his own struggles and must overcome them, as well as the spectacular collapse of the mountain, the "demon song" that lingers in its wake, the asters ("forget-me-nots") blooming after the massacre, and the "forget-me-nots" blooming in Shangri-La. While set in ancient Japan, "The Tale of Asters" possesses a contemporary and universal appeal that makes it the perfect subject for an opera to be broadcast to the world. A story that intertwines a fantastical otherworld with the real world is something that can only be expressed through opera. This fast-paced, compelling musical drama captures the audience's hearts and leads them to a flawless conclusion. The world's leading creators come together for the new opera "The Tale of Purple Lily," enveloping the theater in illusion
When Kazushi Ono, a world-renowned conductor active at the forefront of the Western opera world, was appointed Artistic Director of Opera at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, one of his first priorities was to promote new operas by Japanese composers to the world. The first project planned was "The Tale of Purple Lily." The opera "The Tale of Purple Lily" was born from an intense collaboration between Akira Nishimura, one of Japan's leading contemporary composers; Mikio Sasaki (libretto), a poet and longtime collaborator of Nishimura; and Yoshi Oida, an actor and director well-versed in both Eastern and Western art, who lived in the midst of Showa-era culture as Yukio Mishima's last disciple, moved to Europe, and worked internationally with Peter Brook and others.
The creative team includes Tom Schenck, who has worked on stage art throughout Europe after working for the likes of Kylian and Forsythe, Richard Hudson, who won a Tony Award for "The Lion King" and has worked on many notable productions at the world's leading theatres, and Lutz Deppe, a lighting designer originally from London who has worked as a photographer and has worked on lighting for global art events. The fantastical stage, in which one symbolic scene after another unfolds - mental conflict, violent impulse, sensuality, collapse, and requiem - is truly an illusion.
Under the direction of Kazushi Ono, the world marvels at the sophisticated musical expression that utilizes virtuosity. Described by composer Nishimura himself as "a fierce aria" and "a display of virtuosity to the limits," "The Tale of Purple Flowers" is a challenging work requiring the most challenging vocal techniques, including not only coloratura (fast, ornamental melodies) but also complex leaps, rolled tongues, and accentuated consonants. Leading Japanese singers, including Tomohiro Takada, resident singer at the Kiel Opera House in Germany; Ai Usuki, soprano renowned for her beautiful voice and emotional expression; Kasumi Shimizu, Japan's leading mezzo-soprano; and Toshiaki Murakami, Japan's top tenor, gathered for "The Tale of Purple Flowers." They literally wrestled with and conquered this challenging work, covered in sweat. The Western media who came to cover the performance were amazed not only by the soloists, but also by the New National Theatre Chorus, who energetically and fantastically lit up the stage, the supporting actors who expressed Oida Yoshi's aesthetic as actors, dancers, and stagehands, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, who delivered a dynamic performance in the orchestra pit, and gave high praise, saying, ``The performance was full of inspiration,'' ``Time flew by, and it really moved me,'' ``There were scenes with loud sounds, and scenes full of quiet contemplation,'' and ``It was a sophisticated fusion of music and direction, hearing and seeing, story and expression.''
And it has won numerous awards both at home and abroad!
"The Tale of Purple Lily" has won numerous awards, ranking 8th in the annual Top 10 Concerts list of Ongaku no Tomo, Japan's leading music magazine, and its librettist, Sasaki Mikio, was awarded the inaugural Ooka Makoto Award. It was also selected as a finalist in the 2020 World Premiere (New Work) category of the London-based International Opera Awards, which recognizes the achievements of opera around the world (the awards were announced in September 2020). It is literally a globally talked-about work that has transcended the music world, garnering acclaim both at home and abroad.
■Dress rehearsal digest video for the opera "The Tale of Shion"
https://youtu.be/GEr0fYTJqW0
Stay-at-home Theater Opera "The Tale of Shion"
Commissioned by the New National Theatre, world premiere (performed on February 24, 2019)
Streaming dates: May 22 (Fri) 15:00 - May 29 (Fri) 14:00
Viewing address: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/sugomori-asters/
2 acts, performed in Japanese with Japanese subtitles
[Original work] Ishikawa Jun [Libretto] Sasaki Mikio [Composition] Nishimura Akira
[Conductor] Ohno Kazushi [Director] Oida Yoshi
[Starring] Takada Tomohiro, Onuma Toru, Shimizu Kasumi, Usuki Ai, Murakami Toshiaki, Kono Katsunori, Koyama Yojiro and more
[Chorus] New National Theatre Chorus [Orchestra] Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
■Click here for information about "Stay-at-Home Theater"↓
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/sugomori/
English version: NNTT at Home: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/news/all/nntt-at-home.html
*Communication charges associated with watching the video will be borne by the customer.
We look forward to receiving your feedback on various social media platforms from those who have watched the stream.
Please send us your thoughts using the hashtags "#stay-at-home" and "#nnttathome".
~Make staying at home even more fun! Related videos~
The Stay-at-Home Theater page introduces talk events and rehearsal footage related to the works scheduled for distribution.
If you watch them as a "preparation" before the distribution, you'll know what to listen for and watch in each work, making "Stay-at-Home Theater" even more enjoyable.
◆ "Shion Monogatari" related video playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdTyoXj-iYLumaMnDsmVqrTIbrojGuuaB
We introduce three heated rehearsal videos, a conversation between composer Nishimura Akira and Ono Kazushi, and a digest video of the dress rehearsal.
Video version of Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers "Opera Masterpieces" now available on the New National Theatre's official YouTube channel
The New National Theatre is presenting a video version of "Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers" as a special project for you to enjoy at home. The second episode (streamed on May 19th) featured arias and duets from "Rigoletto," "La Traviata," "Samson and Delilah," and "Madame Butterfly," selected by Ono Kazushi.
The five guests featured were Yasui Yoko, Sudo Shingo, Kobayashi Yuka, Murakami Toshiaki, and Kinoshita Mihoko. Ono Kazushi will unravel the four operas with piano accompaniment and narration.
https://youtu.be/39JL6psZIzE
The New National Theatre's official YouTube channel features a wealth of video content unique to the theatre, including the previously streamed "Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers 'The Tales of Hoffmann'", a documentary of the opera Giulio Cesare leading up to the suspension of rehearsals before performances were cancelled in April, as well as previous performances "Ono Kazushi's Opera Treasure Box with Singers 'The Magic Flute' and 'Turandot'", rehearsal videos and digest footage of performances, interviews with cast members, and more.
Please take this opportunity to watch them. New National Theatre Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NewNationalTheatre
About the New National Theatre~
As Japan's only national theatre dedicated to contemporary performing arts, the New National Theatre produces and presents opera, ballet, dance and theatre performances, and also provides training for artists.
Web: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
English Page: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/
Click here for company press release details
The press releases featured in this article have been provided by PR TIMES Inc. and are reproduced in their original form. FASHION HEADLINE does not endorse the products or services featured, nor does it guarantee the content of the press releases. For inquiries regarding the content, please contact PR TIMES Inc. (https://prtimes.jp/) directly.
