- News Archive
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2012/3/23
Concert Version of Verdi's Opera Aida
New National Theatre Foundation
National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing, China)
to Be Held as an Official Event of the
2012 "Friendship Year for Japan-China People-To-People Exchanges"
to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations
between Japan and China
The New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing, China) are pleased to announce that they will jointly stage the concert version of Verdifs opera Aida this summer to mark the fortieth anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. The collaborative performances aim to promote exchange in culture and the arts between the two nations by enhancing ties between the two national theatres during this commemorative year. The production has been approved as an official Japan event of the 2012 "Friendship Year for Japan-China People-To-People Exchanges."
The two theatres have long engaged in exchange activities for the improvement of theatre operation and production techniques with the aim of developing performing arts in Asia. As part of this exchange, the National Centre for the Performing Arts approached the NNTT approximately two years ago about jointly staging an opera as a symbol of Japan-China friendship in 2012, when the two nations would celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic ties. The NNTT proposed that the concert version of Aida (the performance will last 150minutes) be performed as a production to enhance exchange between the two nationsf national theatres and choruses. This summerfs productions are the fruit of much joint collaboration.
Japanese and Chinese artists are equally represented in the soloist lineup and the chorus. The title role will be performed by world-renowned soprano He Hui who has performed with such opera companies as the Wiener Staatsoper, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the Metropolitan Opera. The famous baritone Yuan Chenye and bass Tian Hao Jiang are the other Chinese soloists. Radames will be played by Mizuguchi Satoshi who played the same role in the production of Aida held to mark the opening of the NNTT in 1998. Mezzo-soprano Shimizu Kasumi and bass Tsumaya Hidekazu, who have both established themselves through outstanding performances in many NNTT opera productions, will play the other key roles. The leading Japanese and Chinese soloists and joint performance of the fine choruses of the two theatres are sure to delight audiences with a feast of music that connects the two nations through the arts.
The performances will be held on 27 and 29 July at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, and on 3 and 5 August at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The productions represent the first time for the NNTT to perform opera in China and the first time for the National Centre for the Performing Arts to perform in Japan.
Reference:
The National Centre for the Performing Arts is Chinafs leading national theatre for performing arts. Located next to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the Centre was opened in 2007. The Opera House seats 2,398, the Concert Hall accommodates 2,019, and the Theatre has seating for 1,035.
Tokyo Performances (two performances)
Dates:
27(Fri.) July 2012 5:00p.m., 29(Sun.) July 2012 2:00p.m. (The performance will last 150minutes.)
Venue:
Opera Palace at the New National Theatre, Tokyo
Sponsors:
New National Theatre, Tokyo
National Centre for the Performing Arts
and others
Conductor:
Hirokami Junichi
Cast:
He Hui (Aida)
Mizuguchi Satoshi (Radames)
Shimizu Kasumi (Amneris)
Yuan Chenye (Amonasro)
Tsumaya Hidekazu (Ramfis)
Tian Hao Jiang (Il Re)
Chorus:
New National Theatre Chorus
NCPA Chorus
Orchestra:
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
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Dates:
3 (Fri.) and 5 (Sun.) August 2012 7:30p.m.
Venue:
National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing, China)
Sponsors:
National Centre for the Performing Arts
New National Theatre, Tokyo
and others
Conductor:
Zhang Guoyong
Cast:
He Hui (Aida)
Mizuguchi Satoshi (Radames)
Shimizu Kasumi (Amneris)
Yuan Chenye (Amonasro)
Tian Hao Jiang (Ramfis)
Tsumaya Hidekazu (Il Re)
Chorus:
NCPA Chorus
New National Theatre Chorus
Orchestra:
China NCPA Orchestra