New National Theatre, tokyo

News Archive

2012/7/27

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the normalisation of Japan-China diplomatic relations, the Agency of Cultural Affairs commissioned a first-ever joint production by the Chinese National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and the New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT) to symbolise the friendship between the two countries. The concert version of the opera "Aida" featured world-renowned Japanese and Chinese soloists such as He Hui and Mizuguchi Satoshi, distinguished conductors from both countries, and a one hundred-strong choir of fifty singers from each country, making for an event that attracted much attention.
Fukuchi Shigeo, President of NNTT, and Wang Zhengming, vice president of NCPA, opened the concert with speeches, saying how the performance would promote further cultural exchange and collaboration between Japan and China, act as a foundation stone of the Asian Opera House, and hopefully form the start of ever closer cooperation between NNTT and NCPA.

The curtain call after the gripping performance was greeted with sustained applause and bravos.

After the enthusiastic applause for the performers of both countries, there were expressions of praise among the audience for how deeply moving it had been, and how valuable an opportunity to see the high level of performance of the Chinese soloists.

The remaining Tokyo performance of the Japan-China coproduction of "Aida" (concert version) will take place on Sunday, 29th July at 2pm.

Be sure not to miss this festival of voices bringing Japan and China together in the name of art!

(photo: Saegusa Chikashi)

Fukuchi Shigeo, President of NNTT Wang Zhengming, vice president of NCPA (from left)

The curtain calls were greeted with tumultuous applause.

He Hui, the role of Aida