Greetings to all friends of the New National Theatre, Tokyo, and opera fans and music lovers everywhere. It is an honour and a pleasure to be able to address you as a newly appointed Artistic Consultant to the Opera Department.

I was surprised and delighted to be appointed to a role of such magnitude. To date, all of my activities have been focused on leading and conducting performances, and my involvement as a consultant to an organization as comprehensive and important as the New National Theatre, Tokyo, is a first. However, I believe in the passion of the board of directors and the abilities of the excellent administrative staff of the New National Theatre, Tokyo, and if from now on I am able to put to work the experience that I have gained as a musician in the opera houses of Europe, then I gladly accept the post I have been hereby with.

I am very pleased to be able to continue my lifelong pursuit of bringing to life in the context of Japanese culture the richness with which opera and other Western music can illuminate our lives, and to continue spreading to the world the works of Japanese artists. I am excited by the opportunities and challenges of this important position with the New National Theatre, Tokyo, with its fifteen-year history of achievement and the international acclaim, and I look forward to fulfilling our mission with the highest expectations.

With this in mind, from this moment I am devoting myself to my appointment in 2014 as Artistic Director of the Opera Department, and I am looking forward to bringing opera fans, and those yet to taste its delights, a season of exciting programming and superb performances.