The Matsumoto festival marked its 30th anniversary in 2022 and we have launched preparations to begin a new chapter this year.

　John Williams, a good friend since my days in Boston, has agreed to come to the festival for Orchestra Concert Program B. It was my longtime wish to have him conduct SKO someday, and I have talked with him about SKO for years. John is a superb musician as both composer and conductor; I am beyond excited that he will conduct SKO and that we will reunite in Matsumoto.

　Stéphane Denève will conduct the Orchestra Concert Program A. I have been following Stéphaneʼs career as a conductor since engaging him as my assistant for Poulencʼs Dialogues des Carmélites at the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in 1998. In 2013, he conducted SKO for the Ravel opera Lʼheure espagnole, so this will be his second appearance at the festival.

　Stéphane is greatly trusted by John Williams, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that his presence encouraged John’s decision to come to Japan. As a tribute to him, Stéphane's program will include John William’s Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra, which also builds a bridge to Program B. In the latter half of his program, he will present repertoire that is his speciality. Isabel Leonard will come to Japan to sing the solo part in Poulenc's Stabat Mater, and it feels like karma that she is the one who performed the leading role in L’heure espagnole. I also look forward to the participation of the local Matsumoto OMF Chorus and Tokyo Opera Singers.

　The Saito Kinen Orchestra members and I look forward to welcoming you again this summer in Matsumoto.

　Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Director