Subscription Concert No.1036 A Series
Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Venue Info Seat
[Inbal / TMSO The 3rd Mahler Series: 2]
Eliahu INBAL, Conductor
Sumi HWANG, Soprano Ⅰ
Eleanor LYONS, Soprano Ⅱ
Ayaka OKI, Soprano Ⅲ
Mihoko FUJIMURA, Mezzo-Soprano Ⅰ
Hiroka YAMASHITA, Mezzo-Soprano Ⅱ
Magnus VIGILIUS, Tenor
Birger RADDE, Baritone
Hidekazu TSUMAYA, Bass
New National Theatre Chorus, Chorus
The Little Singers of Tokyo, Children’s Chorus
Eliahu INBAL (Conductor Laureate)
Eliahu Inbal was born in Jerusalem in 1936. He held numerous chief posts with orchestras such as Frankfurt Radio Symphony (hr-Sinfonieorchester), Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Teatro la Fenice di Venezia, and Czech Philharmonic. He was appointed Conductor Laureate of Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in 2014. Many CDs of live performances by Inbal and TMSO are winning great acclaim. He was decorated by French and German Government, and by the cities of Frankfurt and Wien.
Sumi HWANG (Soprano)
After winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels in 2014, South Korean soprano Sumi Hwang joined the ensemble of the Theater Bonn, where she appeared in roles including Almirena/Rinaldo, Cleopatra/Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Fiordiligi/Così fan tutte, Pamina/Die Zauberflöte, Marzelline/Fidelio, Leïla/Les pêcheurs de perles and Mimì/La Bohème. She was then a permanent ensemble member of the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, where she performed some of the major Mozart roles such as Donna Anna, Fiordiligi, Ilia and Pamina.
Equally sought-after as an international concert soloist, some of her most recent highlights include Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem with the Oslo Philharmonic under Sebastian Weigle, Strauss’ Four Last Songs with the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a gala concert with the Belgian National Orchestra under their chief conductor Antony Hermus.
Sumi Hwang has been working as a professor of singing at Kyunghee University in Seoul since September 2022.
Photo ©Jewon Kim
Equally sought-after as an international concert soloist, some of her most recent highlights include Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem with the Oslo Philharmonic under Sebastian Weigle, Strauss’ Four Last Songs with the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a gala concert with the Belgian National Orchestra under their chief conductor Antony Hermus.
Sumi Hwang has been working as a professor of singing at Kyunghee University in Seoul since September 2022.
Photo ©Jewon Kim
Eleanor LYONS (Soprano)
Australian soprano Eleanor Lyons has established herself in recent years as a versatile soloist internationally both on the opera and concert stage. A particularly sought-after interpreter of Beethoven’s works, including his Symphony No. 9 and Missa Solemnis, she gave her role debut this season as Leonore in Fidelio with the Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España and at the Semperoper Dresden. Further appearances include Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème at the Hungarian State Opera, Verdi’s Requiem at the Zurich Opera House under Marco Armiliato, Strauss’ Four Last Songs with the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer, Mahler's Symphony No. 2 with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo under Kazuki Yamada, Dvořák's Stabat Mater with the Rundfunksinfonie-Orchester Berlin under Philippe Herreweghe and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang" with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under Marie Jacquot. With Thomas Hengelbrock and his Balthasar Neumann Choir & Ensemble, Eleanor has further toured with Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem.
Photo ©Live Photography
Photo ©Live Photography
Ayaka OKI (Soprano)
A soprano singer with a wide repertoire ranging from songs to oratorios, serving as a soloist in many concerts. Her clear and impressive voice captivates the hearts of the audience.
She is from Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture. She graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Culture at Iwate University. She completed her master's and doctoral courses at the Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and obtained her doctorate by researching the songs of R.Schumann. As an Agency for cultural affairs government of Japan, she trained in New York.
She has appeared in numerous orchestra concerts and has made media appearances such as on NHK "Classic TV" and NHK-FM "Recital Nova," and participated in the nationwide tour of "Disney on Classic" for three seasons, among other wide-ranging activities. She has appeared in numerous orchestra concerts, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra's “Beethoven No.9" conducted by Eliahu Inbal, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra's "Beethoven No.9" conducted by Jonathan Nott, and the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra's "Evening of Peace" conducted by Tatsuya Shimono. In 2023, she released her first solo album "Dearest Night" (King Records). This album, in which she collaborated with Tatsuya Yabe and Yukio Yokoyama, was selected as a special edition by "Record Geijutsu" magazine and "Stereo" magazine. She is a member of the Mishima Seseragi Ensemble.
Photo ©Y.Hanai
She is from Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture. She graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Culture at Iwate University. She completed her master's and doctoral courses at the Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and obtained her doctorate by researching the songs of R.Schumann. As an Agency for cultural affairs government of Japan, she trained in New York.
She has appeared in numerous orchestra concerts and has made media appearances such as on NHK "Classic TV" and NHK-FM "Recital Nova," and participated in the nationwide tour of "Disney on Classic" for three seasons, among other wide-ranging activities. She has appeared in numerous orchestra concerts, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra's “Beethoven No.9" conducted by Eliahu Inbal, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra's "Beethoven No.9" conducted by Jonathan Nott, and the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra's "Evening of Peace" conducted by Tatsuya Shimono. In 2023, she released her first solo album "Dearest Night" (King Records). This album, in which she collaborated with Tatsuya Yabe and Yukio Yokoyama, was selected as a special edition by "Record Geijutsu" magazine and "Stereo" magazine. She is a member of the Mishima Seseragi Ensemble.
Photo ©Y.Hanai
Mihoko FUJIMURA (Mezzo-soprano)
Mihoko Fujimura is one of the most soughtafter singers performing internationally. She was the first Japanese singer, singing a major role, to debut at the prestigious Bayreuth Festival. She returned to the festival for nine consecutive years, earning acclaim as a rare talent over two decades in the world of Wagner music. Since then, she has appeared in world famous opera houses including Staatsoper Wien. She also has performed with distinguished conductors including Claudio Abbado, Zubin Mehta and leading orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic.
In Japan, Mihoko Fujimura made her debut at the New National Theatre Tokyo singing Fricka in Der Ring des Nibelungen. Her solo performance for Beethoven’s ninth symphony with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, as well as her numerous opera performances and recitals, have been highly acclaimed. www.MihokoFujimura.com
photo©R&G Photography
In Japan, Mihoko Fujimura made her debut at the New National Theatre Tokyo singing Fricka in Der Ring des Nibelungen. Her solo performance for Beethoven’s ninth symphony with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, as well as her numerous opera performances and recitals, have been highly acclaimed. www.MihokoFujimura.com
photo©R&G Photography
Hiroka YAMASHITA (Mezzo-Soprano)
Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and finished the master's course as top of her class, before completing the doctoral course at the same university. While a student, received the Mai Muto Scholarship and undertook short-term study in Vienna. In 2023, won 1st Prize and the Audience Award in the vocal division of the 92nd Music Competition of Japan, and the Miura Tamaki Special Prize at the 9th Mt. Fuji International Opera Competition of Shizuoka. In April 2024, appeared in the title role in the Fujiwara Opera's 90th anniversary performance of La Cenerentola, captivating the audience with her outstanding technique and expressiveness.
Has been selected to perform as Arato in Toshio Hosokawa's Natasha, a new work commissioned by the New National Theatre, Tokyo, with the world premiere scheduled in August 2025. Is a member of the Japan Vocal Academy.
photo:©深谷義宣auraY2
Has been selected to perform as Arato in Toshio Hosokawa's Natasha, a new work commissioned by the New National Theatre, Tokyo, with the world premiere scheduled in August 2025. Is a member of the Japan Vocal Academy.
photo:©深谷義宣auraY2
Magnus VIGILIUS (Tenor)
Danish tenor Magnus Vigilius excels in the great Wagnarian roles, including Stolzing (Meistersinger), Siegfried (Siegfried), Siegmund (Die Walküre), Lohengrin and Erik (Der fliegende Holländer), as well as in Czech (e.g. Jenůfa, Věc Makropulos and Kát'a Kabanová) and Italian repertoire (e.g. Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Aida).
Guest engagements have taken him to theaters such as the Bayreuth Festival, Semperoper Dresden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, La Monnaie Brussels, Royal Wallonian Opera Liège, Royal Danish Opera Copenhagen, Teatro San Carlo Naples, Finnish National Opera Helsinki, Royal Swedish Opera Stockholm, Zurich Oper House, Leipzig Opera, Müpa Budapest, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and NCPA Beijing.
He has worked with conductors including Alain Altinoglu, Axel Kober, Karina Canellakis and Robert Jindra, and directors such as Pierre Audi, Aurore Fattier, Michael Schulz and Calixto Bieito.
In 2017, he won the prestigious Danish Reumert-prize as Singer of the Year, and in 2014 he won 2nd and special prize at the Lauritz Melchior International Singing Competition.
photo ©Lena Paaske
Guest engagements have taken him to theaters such as the Bayreuth Festival, Semperoper Dresden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, La Monnaie Brussels, Royal Wallonian Opera Liège, Royal Danish Opera Copenhagen, Teatro San Carlo Naples, Finnish National Opera Helsinki, Royal Swedish Opera Stockholm, Zurich Oper House, Leipzig Opera, Müpa Budapest, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and NCPA Beijing.
He has worked with conductors including Alain Altinoglu, Axel Kober, Karina Canellakis and Robert Jindra, and directors such as Pierre Audi, Aurore Fattier, Michael Schulz and Calixto Bieito.
In 2017, he won the prestigious Danish Reumert-prize as Singer of the Year, and in 2014 he won 2nd and special prize at the Lauritz Melchior International Singing Competition.
photo ©Lena Paaske
Birger RADDE (Baritone)
International engagements take BIRGER RADDE to the Vienna State Opera, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the Wagner Days Budapest, the Bayreuth Festival, Zurich, Nice, Monte Carlo, Bologna, Bari, Salzburg, Karlsruhe, Brno... with roles such as WOLFRAM, GUNTHER, HEERRUFER, WOZZECK, DON GIOVANNI, JOCHANAAN, FANINAL, DON FERNANDO and many more.
In 2020, he was selected as the best singer of the year in the critics' survey by Opernwelt magazine for his interpretation of DON GIOVANNI.
Birger graduated at the music academies in Dresden and Leipzig and the renowned Yale University in the USA.
He works with well-known conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Philippe Jordan, Adam Fischer, Semyon Bychkov, Nathalie Stutzmann, Yoel Gamzou,...
He has performed as a lied singer, in oratorios and passions at the Berlin Philharmonie, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Bozar in Brussels, Accademia S.Cecilia in Rome... In 2025 he will sing Mahler's 8th Symphony in the 'Glocke' Bremen, give a RECITAL in Barcelona, and debuts at the Semperoper Dresden and the Opéra Liège.
photo ©Michele Monasta
In 2020, he was selected as the best singer of the year in the critics' survey by Opernwelt magazine for his interpretation of DON GIOVANNI.
Birger graduated at the music academies in Dresden and Leipzig and the renowned Yale University in the USA.
He works with well-known conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Philippe Jordan, Adam Fischer, Semyon Bychkov, Nathalie Stutzmann, Yoel Gamzou,...
He has performed as a lied singer, in oratorios and passions at the Berlin Philharmonie, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Bozar in Brussels, Accademia S.Cecilia in Rome... In 2025 he will sing Mahler's 8th Symphony in the 'Glocke' Bremen, give a RECITAL in Barcelona, and debuts at the Semperoper Dresden and the Opéra Liège.
photo ©Michele Monasta
Hidekazu TSUMAYA (Bass)
Hidekazu Tsumaya graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and completed the graduate course in opera there. He held a permanent engagement with the Oper Leipzig and Weimar’s German National Theater. He also appeared at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin State Opera, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Hanover State Opera, New National Theater, Biwako Hall Produce Opera, NISSAY OPERA, Hyogo Performing Arts Center Opera, and the Nikikai Opera to name a few. Tsumaya has collaborated with renowned conductors, stage directors and singers playing the major roles of operas by Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner and R. Strauss, and others. Outside the operatic sphere, Tsumaya is very much in demand in concerts as well and has been frequently invited as a soloist for orchestral and sacred works. Tsumaya has received the 24th Giraud Opera Award, the 3rd Russian Song Award, and the 72nd Arts Award from Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
New National Theatre Chorus (Chorus)
New National Theatre, Tokyo, opened in October 1997 as the only national theatre for the modern performing arts of opera, ballet, contemporary dance, and play. Meanwhile, New National Theatre Chorus started its career and has played a central role in many opera performances all through the seasons. Their ensemble ability and rich voices have achieved acclaim from co-starred singers, conductors, directors, stage staffs as well as domestic and foreign media.
The Little Singers of Tokyo (Children’s Chorus)
The Little Singers of Tokyo (LSOT) formed in 1951 with the concept “for Japanese children to sing Renaissance works”. The founding spirit continues today with a repertoire focusing on authentic choral works based on traditional European music. LSOT covers a wide range of music from Gregorian Chants to contemporary works. In addition to the regular concerts held twice a year, LSOT has made 33 overseas concert tours. They have also appeared with many orchestras and opera theaters at home and abroad, and have performed with maestros such as Abbado, Luisi, and Muti.
