This joint production with Barcelona’s The Gran Teatre del Liceu, and Opernhaus Zürich constitutes the highlight of an anniversary performance to mark the 60th year of Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation. This is the long-awaited Tokyo performance of the latest production of Parsifal, which premiered in February, 2011 in Barcelona and in Zurich in June of the same year. At the helm is Claus Guth, a respected director of contemporary Wagner productions for the Bayreuth Festival, Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) and more. The production will be conducted by Taijiro Iimori, who has a proven track record in Wagner opera. Co-organized by Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra.
Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation
“Nikikai” was a membership company formed in 1952 by 16 Japanese leading singers of the time led by MIYAKE Harue (soprano), KAWASAKI Shizuko (alto), SHIBATA Mutsumu (tenor) and NAKAYAMA Teiichi (baritone). The main functions of “Nikikai” have been opera production, workshops for members, opera institute for young singers and artists’ management. But in 1977, its opera unit was reformed to found “Nikikai Opera Foundation” given sanction by the Agency of Cultural Affairs with the stable financial support.
“Nikikai” and “Nikikai Opera foundation” have developed their activity and played important roles in the classical music field as one of the leading groups through 53 years period. The total number of opera productions during the years amounted to about 240.
In 2005, “Nikikai Opera Foundation” was reorganized to name “Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation” by merging “Nikikai” in order to strengthen its activity under the strategic business administration, so that it will continue to have share in the cultural development in Japan.
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall, Taito City, Tokyo
