Subscription Concert No.1038 A Series
Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Venue Info Seat
Kazushi ONO, Conductor
Ryoko SUNAKAWA, Soprano*
Hiroka YAMASHITA, Mezzo-Soprano*
Taka Komagata, Tenor*
New National Theatre Chorus, Chorus*
The Little Singers of Tokyo, Children’s Chorus*
Kazushi ONO (Music Director)
Kazushi Ono is the definitive musical citizen of the world, having been born in Tokyo, studied in Munich and forged his early career in Zagreb, Karlsruhe and Tokyo. This variety of influences has shaped an inquiring and profound musical intellect and an ability to communicate meaning across languages and cultures, leading to longstanding relationships around the world.
Ono trained in Europe under Wolfgang Sawallisch and came to public attention winning first prize in the 1987 Toscanini Competition. Since his first appointment at Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in 1992 he has held continuous positions, including at Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Karlsruhe Opera, La Monnaie, Opéra National de Lyon, Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, and currently, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, New National Theatre Tokyo and Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra.
A favourite of orchestral players, he has lasting friendships with orchestras around the world and regularly guest conducts groups such as London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
His passion and curiosity for repertoire takes him in different directions – to the standard classics but also to new music. He often commissions works and has collaborated several times with Mark-Anthony Turnage, including on Silent Cities, Hibiki (which won a Royal Philharmonic Society award) and Time Flies, which was originally commissioned for the 2020 Tokyo Olympiad. Recent commissions at NNTT include Asters by Akira Nishimura and Dai Fujikura’s A Dream of Armageddon. His programming there also includes Baroque, 20th-century and bel canto masterpieces.
In Europe he conducted the world premieres of Toshio Hosokawa’s Hanjyo in Aix-en-Provence, Arnulf Hermann’s Der Mieter at Oper Frankfurt and Kaija Saariaho’s Emilie at Opéra de Lyon, as well as new productions of Ravel’s L’heure espagnole and L’Enfant et les sortilèges at Glyndebourne and Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au Bûcher at Opéra de Lyon. He has worked closely with boundary-breaking directors such as Dmitri Tcherniakov, Romeo Castellucci, Pierre Audi, William Kentridge and Mariusz Treliński
Ono is a vocal advocate for the role of culture in all our lives. During his time in Lyon he took part in a programme bringing opera to prisons and at TMSO he leads the inclusive SaLaD Music Festival, as well as working with community organisations for people with disabilities. In his new role in Brussels he will be part of an integration scheme for refugees. During the initial stages of the pandemic, he led ground-breaking research into the transmission of particles and the use of ventilation that meant that orchestras could get back to playing for audiences safely.
In 2017 he was awarded ‘Officier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by French cultural minister Françoise Nyssen, adding to the prestigious Asahi Prize in January 2015, for his contribution to the development and progress of Japanese society.
https://www.kazushiono.com/
Ono trained in Europe under Wolfgang Sawallisch and came to public attention winning first prize in the 1987 Toscanini Competition. Since his first appointment at Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in 1992 he has held continuous positions, including at Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Karlsruhe Opera, La Monnaie, Opéra National de Lyon, Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, and currently, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, New National Theatre Tokyo and Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra.
A favourite of orchestral players, he has lasting friendships with orchestras around the world and regularly guest conducts groups such as London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
His passion and curiosity for repertoire takes him in different directions – to the standard classics but also to new music. He often commissions works and has collaborated several times with Mark-Anthony Turnage, including on Silent Cities, Hibiki (which won a Royal Philharmonic Society award) and Time Flies, which was originally commissioned for the 2020 Tokyo Olympiad. Recent commissions at NNTT include Asters by Akira Nishimura and Dai Fujikura’s A Dream of Armageddon. His programming there also includes Baroque, 20th-century and bel canto masterpieces.
In Europe he conducted the world premieres of Toshio Hosokawa’s Hanjyo in Aix-en-Provence, Arnulf Hermann’s Der Mieter at Oper Frankfurt and Kaija Saariaho’s Emilie at Opéra de Lyon, as well as new productions of Ravel’s L’heure espagnole and L’Enfant et les sortilèges at Glyndebourne and Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au Bûcher at Opéra de Lyon. He has worked closely with boundary-breaking directors such as Dmitri Tcherniakov, Romeo Castellucci, Pierre Audi, William Kentridge and Mariusz Treliński
Ono is a vocal advocate for the role of culture in all our lives. During his time in Lyon he took part in a programme bringing opera to prisons and at TMSO he leads the inclusive SaLaD Music Festival, as well as working with community organisations for people with disabilities. In his new role in Brussels he will be part of an integration scheme for refugees. During the initial stages of the pandemic, he led ground-breaking research into the transmission of particles and the use of ventilation that meant that orchestras could get back to playing for audiences safely.
In 2017 he was awarded ‘Officier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by French cultural minister Françoise Nyssen, adding to the prestigious Asahi Prize in January 2015, for his contribution to the development and progress of Japanese society.
https://www.kazushiono.com/
Ryoko SUNAKAWA (Soprano)
Ryoko Sunakawa has achieved popularity as a leading soprano in Japan because of her solid technique and beautiful presence on stage. Born in Miyakojima, Okinawa. Studied at Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo and Milan. Winner of the first prize in the 34th Concorso Italo-Giapponese as well as the 69th Music Competition of Japan. After her debut at New National Theatre Tokyo with Euridice in "Orphée et Eurydice" she has earned high acclaim for numerous roles there, Biwako Hall, Nissay Theatre, Fujiwara Opera company and many concert-style opera with major orchestras such Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. She has appeared in the NHK New Year Opera Concert since 2002. In 2019 she released her debut CD “Bel Canto” which was highly acclaimed. Her varied activities include performances with orchestras and recitals, as well as appearances on TV and radio. She has appeared in the NHK New Year Opera Concert since 2002. In 2024 she just released new CD of Japanese songs following her debut CD “Bel Canto” with opera arias which was highly acclaimed.
photo ©Yoshinobu Fukaya
photo ©Yoshinobu Fukaya
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
Taka KOMAGATA (Tenor)
Tenor Taka Komagata brightens international classical music with his sincere presence and vibrant vocal style. He performs “with earnest gusto” (Boston Globe) and has been praised for “believable and stunning” character portrayals (LA Times). Recently, Taka performed Goro in Madama Butterfly with Pacific Opera Project and Savannah VOICE Festival, Nemorino in The Elixir of Love, Colin in The Secret Garden with Hawai’i Opera Theatre, and the tenor solo in Mozart’s Requiem with MidAmerica Productions. Formerly an Opera Maine and Hawai’i Opera Theatre young artist, he appeared in Cenerentola, Rocking Horse Winner, Bastien und Bastienne, and Aida. Taka holds a Graduate Diploma and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Longy School of Music, and a Certificate of Merit in Voice at New England Conservatory. He won fourth prize in the Basel International Vocal Competition and third prize from the Yokohama International Music Competition.
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.
