L'enfant et les sortilèges Exhibition to take place this weekend!

　In order to celebrate the winning of the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for 2013SKF Opera production of Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges, Universal Music Japan and OMF will open the 3-days-only special exhibition at Ginza Yamano Music Store. The exhibition will take place this weekend, starting May 14 (Sat) to May 16 (Mon).
　In addition to 2013SKF Opera production stage photos and footage screening, the visitors will also be able to enjoy the costume exhibition of the same opera title but of different production which took place at 2015OMF. Costume exhibited are all designed by Sarah Conly. A celebratory message card board will be provided to all visitors willing to write a message to the Maestro. Admission is free. For more information, please see here.
　Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges performed at 2015OMF will be again shown in Matsumoto this year. Tickets go on sale on June 4 (Sat). We are looking forward to seeing you in Ginza!

2016OMF　Tickets go on sale June 4!

This year OMF is happy to welcome again Fabio Luisi, Metropolitan Opera Principal Conductor, this time both in Orchestra Concert A and B to conduct Honegger: Symphony No.3 “Liturgique” H.186 and Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor “The Resurrection” together with SKO. Fabio Luisi first time visited us in Matsumoto in 2014 to conduct Verdi’s opera Falstaff and joined us last year to deliver an exceptional Mahler: Symphony No.5. His interview and press conference footage with the Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa took in 2014 upon his first visit to Matsumoto is currently available online. It is assuring that this year’s Mahler: Symphony No.2 will be exceptional in many ways. Do not miss out this performance!
2016OMF tickets go on sale June 4 (Sat). You can purchase your tickets by phone and online (LAWSON Ticket/Ticket PIA/e+(e Plus)). If you were purchasing tickets from abroad, please go to PIA ticket website (*Japanese). For more information, please see here.

Media Information on OMF Website!

OMF Website Media page has been renewed!
The page provides an introduction to all major magazines, newspaper articles, websites, TV and radio programs that have covered OMF and its events since last year. The access to back numbers and official websites of the media is also provided. Upcoming media coverage information will be duly updated on the page, too. Most of the information provided in Japanese. For more, visit here.

Seiji Ozawa performs with New Japan Philharmonic!

After a distinguished performance with Berlin Philharmoniker in early April, OMF Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa will next perform with New Japan Philharmonic.
The Honorary Conductor Laureate of New Japan Philharmonic, Seiji Ozawa, will conduct Grieg: Fra Holbergs Tid, Op.40 and Beethoven: Egmont Overture op. 84 at Sumida Triphony Hall on May 11 (Wed). (Mozart: Serenade No.12 C minor K.388 Nachtmusik will be performed without conductor). Tickets for this performance are already sold out. For further information, please see here.

2016OMF Official Leaflet out online!

2016OMF Program Pages and Ticket Page information have been updated on OMF official website. Casts of OMF Opera and Opera for Children, the music pieces of Chamber Concerts, and ticket information have been updated. 2016OMF Official Leaflet is also available on the website for free download.
2016OMF Leaflet

SEIJI OZAWA BEST COLLECTION CD goes on sale on April 27!

To celebrate the win at the 58th Grammy Awards Best Opera Recording, Universal Music Japan will release SEIJI OZAWA BEST COLLECTION CD set on April 27 (Wed) 2016. The CD compilation contains two numbers from 2013SKF “Ravel: L’enfant et les sortilèges”, which brought the first Grammy for Seiji Ozawa and Saito Kinen Orchestra. The CD set also includes previously Grammy nominated music pieces, along with ten other pieces recorded at Matsumoto. For more information, please see here.

Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland 2016 season concerts about to begin!

In 2015OMF, Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland performed a special program for us together with Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Asia. This spring Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland will hold their annual concerts in Paris and Geneva. They will perform at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on April 17 (Sun) at 5:00 pm, and at Théâtre Les Salons in Geneva on April 20 (Wed) at 7:30 pm (both France and Switzerland time). At the beginning of both performances, “Seiji Ozawa – The Living Spirit of Music” documentary (produced by France Television) will be screened. For more information, please see here.

Seiji Ozawa is named Berlin Philharmoniker Honorary Member!

On April 8 (Fri) and 10 (Sun), the festival’s Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa has performed with Berlin Philharmoniker for the first time in 7 years. At the rehearsal of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Choral Fantasy, the orchestra welcomed the Maestro as an Honorary Member of the orchestra as an expression of their gratitude for a long-standing association.
Berlin Philharmoniker Cellist and member of the orchestra board Mr. Knut Weber presented the membership to Ozawa and said “As the first Japanese conductor of international standing, he forged another link to a country that has become a second home to the Berliner Philharmoniker. And, as the conductor of many premieres at the Philharmonie, he has frequently made it possible for us to make exciting musical discoveries.” Maestro Ozawa said “It’s a great honor. I conducted for the first time at this hall with this orchestra in 1966. It’s been 50 years of a long friendship. I am deeply touched and so very happy”. In 130 years long history of Berlin Philharmoniker, Seiji Ozawa is the first Japanese who has received the honorary membership. The concert held on April 10 is currently available for online viewing at Berlin Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall website (viewing charges apply).

2016OMF Recent News on OMF Website!

OMF Official Website offers the most recent information on the 2016OMF Season Line Up. Along with orchestra concerts and opera performances, information on educational program and open events among others is also available.
For more details, see here.

April 8 J-WAVE Radio Interview

On April 8 (Fri), Tokyo radio station J-WAVE (81.3FM) will cover 2013SKF Ravel: “L’enfant et les sortileges” interview on “—JK RADIO— TOKYO UNITED” with navigator John Kabila. (The interview will be aired in “THE HIDDEN STORY” corner). Mr. Atsushi Moriyasu, SKF and OMF execute producer shares the background story of making 2013SKF “Ravel: “L’enfant et les sortileges”, the close relationship between Matsumoto city and its people, and history of SKF.

Radio Station: J-WAVE (81.3FM)
*You can listen to J-WAVE on internet radio radiko if you were in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma and Tochigi. You may able to listen to J-WAVE anywhere in Japan if you were a member of “radiko premium” or “LISMO WAVE”.
Title: —JK RADIO— TOKYO UNITED
*The interview will be aired in “THE HIDDEN STORY” corner.
Navigator: John Kabila
On Air: April 8 (Fri) 6:00-11:30
“THE HIDDEN STORY” 10:40 - 10:50
-JK RADIO- TOKYO UNITED.

Seiji Ozawa returns to the Berliner Philharmoniker!

OMF is happy to announce that the Festival's Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa will perform with the Berliner Philarmoniker next week, 7 years after their last performance in 2009. On his first time visit since his illness, Ozawa will conduct Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Choral Fantasy, with Peter Serkin on piano.
Seiji Ozawa performed with the Berliner Philharmoniker in 1966 for the first time. Since then, they have performed together more than 150 times. This year will mark their 50th anniversary.

The concerts will take place on April 8 (Fri) and April 10 (Sun) (both German time) at Berlin Philharmonie Hall.
Live streaming is available for the concert on April 10 at “Digital Concert Hall” website (viewing charges apply).
For more information,please see here.