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"A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" on Aug. 17 Shuttle Bus Service available

◎ Please use public transportation!
Due to the renovation work of the "Air Water Arena Matsumoto (General Gymnasium)" located on the same premises as the "Kissei Bunka Hall" where "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" will be held, the number of parking spaces has been significantly reduced. We kindly ask for your cooperation in using public transportation.

Additionally, after the event, there will be a "shuttle bus" service from Kissei Bunka Hall to Matsumoto Station, as outlined below. Please note that there is no shuttle bus service from Matsumoto Station to Kissei Bunka Hall.

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◼️Shuttle Buss Schedule

Aug 17 (Sat) A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life

From Kissei Bunka Hall：20:00
（Stops at Matsumoto Station Castle Exit）
Please Note: There is no shuttle bus service from Matsumoto Station to Kissei Bunka Hall.

◼️Where to purchase the shuttle bus tickets
Kissei Bunka Hall : Ticket can be purchased 30 minutes before the event in the hall lobby. You may also purchase tickets nearby the bus stop after the concert if there are any remaining bus tickets.

◼️Shuttle bus fares
Adult 250 Yen (Junior High school student and over)
Child 130 Yen (Elementary school student and under)
※Children under 6 years old is free of charge per 1 adult. More than 1 child under 6 years old per 1 adult will be charged for the child fare.
※Infant (under 1 year old) are free.

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Public Viewing of "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" on Aug. 17 [Reposted: Aug. 13]

The public viewing of the special event "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life," will take place on Aug. 17. The viewing will be held at two venues: the Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square and the Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Hall. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome to attend. Please join us!

Public Viewing (Live Streaming)
A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life
Aug. 17 (Sat), 2024 19:00-20:00
Program details>>>
Venue: Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square
Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Hall
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required, please come directly to the venue.
Note: The event at the Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square will be canceled in case of rain. If canceled, updates will be posted on the festival's official website and social media.

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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.

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Aug. 12 (Mon/Holiday) Chamber Concert I　Tickets for the Day Information

Chamber Concert I Tickets information

Aug. 12 (Mon/Holiday) performance
Venue: The Harmony Hall

Venue: The Harmony Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 13:30
Ticket Price: ¥6000 / U-25: ¥3000（All seats reserved）

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

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2024Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Open!

Thank you all for coming to the opening performance of the "OMF Chamber Music Masterclass –Woodwind Ensemble–" at the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival! 16 young musicians delivered a splendid performance under the guidance of their SKO mentors, marking the grand opening of the festival.

The 2024OMF is full of events. It begins with the long-awaited orchestra concert by the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), featuring the debut of Nodoka Okisawa as the OMF Principal Guest Conductor in the "Orchestra Concert Program A."

Following this, there will be more highlights, including the complete performance of Brahms symphonies by Andris Nelsons ("Orchestra Concert Program B" & "Orchestra Concert Program C") and the SKO, the Fureai Concerts I, II, and III, where you can enjoy exquisite chamber music, the OMF Opera, educational programs designed to bring music closer to children, and the annual Welcome Brass Band Parade & Joint Performance.

All performances are dedicated to Director Seiji Ozawa. The 2024 OMF will run until Sep. 4th. Please come and cover our spectacular performances!

2024 Program

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Aug. 10 (Sat) , Aug. 11 (Sun) Orchestra Concert Program A　Tickets for the Day Information

Orchestra Concert Program A Tickets for the Day Information

Aug. 10 (Sat) performance
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 13:30
Ticket Price: S ¥20,000 / A ¥16,000 (All seats reserved)

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

Aug. 11 (Sun) performance
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 13:30
Ticket Price: S ¥20,000 / A ¥16,000 (All seats reserved)

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

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Aug. 9 (Fri) OMF Chamber Music Masterclass –Woodwind Ensemble– Tickets and Admission Tickets

OMF Chamber Music Masterclass –Woodwind Ensemble– Tickets information

Aug. 9 (Fri) performance
Admission Tickets Distribution Start：13:00
Tickets for the Day Sales Start：13:30　[¥1,000（General Admisson）]
Alignment to enter the venue start：14:15
Door Open：14:30
Start：15:00

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OMF Principal Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) Begin Rehearsals!

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Public Viewing of "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" on Aug. 17

The public viewing of the special event "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life," will take place on Aug. 17. The viewing will be held at two venues: the Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square and the Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Hall. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome to attend. Please join us!

Public Viewing (Live Streaming)
A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life
Aug. 17 (Sat), 2024 19:00-20:00
Program details>>>
Venue: Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square
Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Hall
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required, please come directly to the venue.
Note: The event at the Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square will be canceled in case of rain. If canceled, updates will be posted on the festival's official website and social media.

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2024OMF "Seiji Ozawa Day” Event Announcement

The Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF), previously known as the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto, has been led by Director Seiji Ozawa for over 30 years, significantly contributing to the musical culture of Nagano Prefecture and Matsumoto City. In 2024, the festival will celebrate his birthday on September 1st by designating it as "Seiji Ozawa Day."

This special event will feature performances by local citizens, including adult and children's choirs, and the festival band, along with the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra. Fireworks will be set off to coincide with the end of the event. It aims to honor and celebrate Seiji Ozawa's contributions and to continue the musical legacy he has established. Residents of Nagano Prefecture are invited to attend this commemorative concert free of charge. Prior registration is required.