News

OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Conductor Change Announcement

The conducting schedule of the Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa for 2016OMF season has been revised due to lack of physical strength of the conductor. Seiji Ozawa initially scheduled for conducting OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra performance on Sep.6 and Sep.9, 2016, will be replaced by Eric Melear, the conductor of Opera for Children performance.

At the end of his one-month stay in Europe (where Ozawa performed with Berlin Philharmonic in Berlin and Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland in Paris) this past April, due to overwork Ozawa developed a fever which resulted in weight loss. Upon his return to Japan, Ozawa continued with another demanding period of work, which further weakened his immune system. After thorough discussions with his doctors, family and all concerned, Ozawa has decided to follow his doctors’ advice and during the next few months to primarily focus on recovery of his physical strength. Ozawa, therefore, has unfortunately had to reschedule his performance activities for this summer. His schedule for Matsumoto has been revised accordingly, resulting in the following program change.

OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges

Sep. 6 (Tue), Sep 9 (Fri) Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre Main Hall

[Original program] Conductor: Seiji Ozawa
[Program Change] Conductor: Eric Melear

*Ticket prices remain unchanged.

NOTE: Orchestra Concert Program A scheduled for Aug 18(Thu) and Aug 22(Mon) and Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig scheduled for Aug. 28(Sun), will be conducted by Seiji Ozawa as initially planned.

Tickets sales for 2016OMF will start on June 4, 2016. Please be aware of the above change prior to ticket purchase.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and look forward to welcoming you again in Matsumoto this summer.

For any further inquires regarding this announcement, please contact:
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Office / Tokyo Office, Press
Silvana Petkovic (pr@ozawa-festival.com; Tel: 080-4110-9403 / +81-80-4110-9403)