Standing ovation for Nodoka Okisawa x SKO Orchestra Concert Program A!
he debut concert of Nodoka Okisawa as OMF Principal Guest Conductor concluded with a standing ovation! Thank you to everyone who attended. Many in the audience were reminded of Director Seiji Ozawa when they saw Okisawa take the stage alongside the SKO members at the beginning of the performance.
Mendelssohn's "Ein Sommernachtstraum" (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and R. Strauss's "Don Juan" filled the hall with a harmonious sound, as if the orchestra were a single living entity. This was followed by soprano Elza van den Heever, a rising star in the European and American opera scenes, delivering a stunning rendition of Strauss's "Vier letzte Lieder" (Four Last Songs). In "Beim Schlafengehen" (Time to Sleep), SKO concertmaster Tatsuya Yabe played a beautiful violin solo, evoking the journey of life.
At the opening press conference, Okisawa reflected on a line from "Im Abendrot" (At Dusk), noting how it reminded her of the shared journey between Director Ozawa and the SKO. After the final note faded into silence, the audience was wrapped in a reflective stillness before erupting into warm, enthusiastic applause. The multiple curtain calls concluded with a standing ovation for Okisawa and the SKO.
