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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

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

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

After two years since "Le nozze di Figaro" in 2022, Nodoka Okisawa returns, this time as the OMF Principal Guest Conductor. She began the rehearsal with R. Strauss's "Don Juan," following a message dedicating the performance to Maestro (Seiji Ozawa). For Okisawa, this piece holds special significance as she performed it in the finals of the competition she first won in Japan. "Unlike the panoramic feel of "Vier letzte Lieder," "Don Juan" is full of vibrant, blood-pumping energy. I thought it would be a good contrast," she explained. As promised, the powerful sound enveloped the hall like a living being.

At the opening press conference, Okisawa expressed her enthusiasm: "I believe the festival should remain a beacon of hope for the future. I am very conscious of 'connecting forward' through my performance. While valuing our journey so far, I want the audience to feel the excitement of embarking on new ventures."
Don't miss the new chapter of Okisawa × SKO!
The Orchestra Concert Program A will be held on Aug. 10 (Sat), and Aug. 11 (Sun). Tickets are on sale now!

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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.

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.

【Special Event】

Seiji Ozawa Day

Sep. 1 (Sun), 2024 17:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)

The program includes:
・Performances by local choirs and the festival band.
・A performance by the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra.
・Special video screening.
・A dialogue session (TBC).

<How to attend>
〇Free of charge (advanced registration required)
〇Eligibility: Must be a Resident of Nagano Prefecture
〇Capacity: 1,000 people (If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, attendees will be selected by lottery after the application period ends.)
〇How to Apply: Online application Apply here>>>
〇Application Period: Aug. 6 (Tue) 10:00 - Aug. 16 (Fri) 2024, Noon
〇Announcement of Results: Attendees will be notified via the delivery of "Invitation Tickets." (Scheduled to be sent on Aug. 21 (Wed).)

Organized by the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee, Saito Kinen Orchestra Foundation, and Matsumoto City International Music Festival Promotion Council

OMF Chamber Music Masterclass -Wooodwind Ensemble- in Okushiga on Aug. 7!

The OMF Chamber Music Masterclass -Wooodwind Ensemble- in Okushiga will be held on Aug. 7th.
This concert will be the final part of the 2024 "OMF Chamber Music Masterclass –Woodwind Ensemble–" Program*.
Admission is free, so please come enjoy the soaring musicianship of young artists while surrounded by nature at the best venue.

*This program is part of the "OMF Chamber Music Masterclass." Members of the Saito Kinen Orchestra will offer intensive training over the course of one week at Okushiga-Kogen to young artists selected by audition. These young musicians will participate in a week-long study camp, culminating in two recitals at Okushiga-Kogen and Matsumoto City.

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Orchestra Concert Program A/B/C 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 the "Orchestra Concert" will be held, the number of parking spaces has been significantly reduced. We kindly ask for your cooperation in using public transportation.

Shuttle busses will be available for the Orchestra Concert Program A/B/C to and from Kissei Bunka Hall and Matsumoto Station.
Please note that the shuttle bus boarding point at Matsumoto Station has been changed from last year. Please check the details below.


◼️Shuttle Buss Schedule

Aug 10 (Sat) Orchestra Concert Program A
Aug 11 (Sun) Orchestra Concert Program A
Aug 17 (Sat) Orchestra Concert Program B

To Kissei Bunka Hall:HOTEL Ace Inn Matsumoto (Approximately 1 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Station Castle Exit (East Exit))  13:00 / 13:15 / 14:00 / 14:15
To Matsumoto Station:Kissei Bunka Hall 17:00(Stops at Matsumoto Station Castle Exit)

Aug 16 (Fri) Orchestra Concert Program B
Aug 21 (Wed) Orchestra Concert Program C

To Kissei Bunka Hall:HOTEL Ace Inn Matsumoto (Approximately 1 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Station Castle Exit (East Exit))  17:00 / 17:15 / 18:00 / 18:15
To Matsumoto Station:Kissei Bunka Hall 21:00(Stops at Matsumoto Station Castle Exit)

Aug 22 (Thu) Orchestra Concert Program C
To Kissei Bunka Hall:HOTEL Ace Inn Matsumoto (Approximately 1 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Station Castle Exit (East Exit))  14:00 / 14:15 / 15:00 / 15:15
To Matsumoto Station:Kissei Bunka Hall 21:00(Stops at Matsumoto Station Castle Exit)

※ The boarding location before the performance has changed from last year.
 (Last year) Matsumoto Station Alps Exit (West Exit)
  ↓
 (This year) In front of Hotel Ace Inn Matsumoto (Approximately 1 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Station Castle Exit (East Exit))"

■HOTEL Ace Inn Matsumoto
Exit the ticket gate at Matsumoto Station and proceed to the right towards the Matsumoto Station Castle Exit. Go down the escalator at the end. After descending the escalator and exiting through the Matsumoto Station Castle Exit, proceed to the right. The path leads to the side of the hotel. The hotel faces the station square, and it takes about 1 minute on foot from the station exit.
https://www.ace-inn.net/location/

◼️Where to purchase the shuttle bus tickets
Matsumoto Station : Ticket stand can be found at HOTEL Ace Inn Matsumoto.
Kissei Bunka Hall : Ticket can be purchased 1 hour prior to the performance or during intermission 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.

OMF Photo Exhibitions at The Hachijuni Bank Gallery and MIDORI Matsumoto

OMF Photo Exhibitions are now taking place at The Hachijuni Bank Gallery in Ote and MIDORI Matsumoto. The exhibition will also be held at the Kissei Bunka Hall throughout the festival dates.


■Festival Photo Exhibitions
The Hachijuni Bank Gallery
MIDORI MATSUMOTO
July 16 (Tue) - September 5 (Thu)

Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Throughout Festival dates

Exhibitions of photos from Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival / Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto taken by official photographers Michiharu Okubo and Takeshi Yamada.

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"Memorial Exhibition for Director Seiji Ozawa and the 40th Anniversary of the Saito Kinen Orchestra" at Matsumoto City Museum

This year marks the 40th year since the memorial concert in 1984 led by Director Seiji Ozawa to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his mentor Hideo Saito’s passing, which in turn became the base for the creation of SKO. In commemoration, the Matsumoto City Museum organizes a photo exhibition on SKO and its activities including 64 photographs related to SKO and 46 CD jackets released by SKO. Additionally, during the exhibition period, a large billboard featuring Director Seiji Ozawa and SKO will be installed on the south side of the museum.


Matsumoto City Museum(2-21 Ote 3-chome, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture)
Aug. 1 (Thu) – Sep. 4 (Wed) *Free admission

We look forward to welcoming you there.

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