2025/2026 Season - OPERA
Welcome to the New National Theatre Tokyo
Experience a lifetime of theatre through opera and ballet
Tokyo is a stage for all things fascinating from all over the world, including the performing arts. Join us in the heart of the metropolis and indulge in the captivating performances of world-class opera, ballet, dance, and drama.
The New National Theatre Tokyo (NNTT) is a globally unique institution that comprises three venues: Opera Palace, Playhouse, and The Pit.
Tokyo is a stage for all things fascinating from all over the world, including the performing arts. Join us in the heart of the metropolis and indulge in the captivating performances of world-class opera, ballet, dance, and drama.
The New National Theatre Tokyo (NNTT) is a globally unique institution that comprises three venues: Opera Palace, Playhouse, and The Pit.
The Opera Palace, with a seating capacity of 1,806, hosts enchanting opera and ballet performances featuring internationally renowned conductors, directors, choreographers, singers, and the talented dancers of the National Ballet of Japan (NBJ). Together, they continuously deliver exquisite entertainment to the audience, creating unforgettable experiences on stage. The walls and ceilings of the Opera Palace auditorium are finished with thick oak wood, creating not only a warm ambiance but an ideal acoustic environment that allows the singers' voices to resonate beautifully. The venue itself feels like a musical instrument.
International visitors can enjoy any performance fully as there are English and Japanese surtitles displayed during all opera performances. The entire theatre is designed to maximise natural light, offering a delightful experience.
Don't miss the chance to explore the foyer exhibitions and indulge in authentic Italian cuisine on the third floor before or after a performance.
Adding to its appeal, the NNTT is located in Hatsudai, just one station away from vibrant Shinjuku. When sightseeing in the capital, enhance your experience by including a visit to the NNTT.
The Opera Palace, with a seating capacity of 1,806, hosts enchanting opera and ballet performances featuring internationally renowned conductors, directors, choreographers, singers, and the talented dancers of the National Ballet of Japan (NBJ). Together, they continuously deliver exquisite entertainment to the audience, creating unforgettable experiences on stage. The walls and ceilings of the Opera Palace auditorium are finished with thick oak wood, creating not only a warm ambiance but an ideal acoustic environment that allows the singers' voices to resonate beautifully. The venue itself feels like a musical instrument.
International visitors can enjoy any performance fully as there are English and Japanese surtitles displayed during all opera performances. The entire theatre is designed to maximise natural light, offering a delightful experience.
Don't miss the chance to explore the foyer exhibitions and indulge in authentic Italian cuisine on the third floor before or after a performance.
Adding to its appeal, the NNTT is located in Hatsudai, just one station away from vibrant Shinjuku. When sightseeing in the capital, enhance your experience by including a visit to the NNTT.
2025/2026 SEASON OPERA
OPERA
Artistic Director of Opera Kazushi ONO
Our new productions for the 2025/2026 season are Alban Berg's Wozzeck and Richard Strauss's Elektra, two works that caused a sensation when they were premiered in Germany in the first half of twentieth century.
We open the season with our repertory production of Puccini's La Bohème, an everlasting ode to youth. Esteemed maestro Paolo Olmi returns to conduct, and Marina Costa- Jackson sings Mimi. We look forward to hearing her richly expressive voice resonate in the New National Theatre Tokyo. Listen out also for Luciano Ganci as Rodolfo, Massimo Cavalletti as Marcello, and the ensemble of the male voices.
Saburo Teshigawara's production of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice beautifully combines music and space, along with the breathtaking dance scenes. Orfeo will be sung by contralto Sara Mingardo, making her debut at the NNTT. It may seem as it were a different work compared to when sung by a countertenor. Conductor Ryuichiro Sonoda, who puts his heart and soul into opera, takes the baton.
Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus was first performed in 1874 in Vienna, where a year earlier, the World's Fair had been held, and shortly after the country was hit by the financial crisis. This operetta reflects such turbulent times. Conducted by Daniel Cohen, the fine cast led by Thomas Blondelle, Sabina Cvilak, and celebrated Japanese countertenor Daichi Fujiki as Prince Orlofsky, will invite you all to the glamourous ball.
In Verdi's Rigoletto, the world's leading baritone Vladimir Stoyanov takes the title role, who will undoubtedly portray the character with psychological depth. Gilda is sung by Eri Nakamura, who is making great strides year by year. The Duke of Mantua will be sung by Lawrence Brownlee who previously sang Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor at the NNTT. Daniele Callegari conducts this top-notch cast.
Mozart's Don Giovanni is an opera that demands individuality from each of the characters, and we have been able to bring together such a cast that includes Vito Priante, Daniel Giulianini, Irina Lungu, and Sara Cortolezzis. Connecting the fine solo voices and the exquisite blend of the voices to the drama is conductor Norichika Iimori.
Carolina López Moreno who features in La Traviata has recently emerged on the international stage, rapidly advancing her career. We are delighted to hear her Violetta, which has been praised for its extraordinary emotional expression. Antonio Corianò sings Alfredo, and the veteran baritone Roberto Frontali takes the role of Germont.
Donizetti, the composer of L'elisir d'amore, was born into a very poor family and was educated at a charitable music school from an early age. Looking at Donizetti's subsequent development, one cannot help but think that his early education had a profound effect on the gifted child. He began composing operas from his early 20s and L'elisir d'amore was his 40th opera. It's a humourous romp in which the fates of Adina (Francesca Pia Vitale), Nemorino (Matteo Desole), and Belcore (Simone Alberghini) are at the mercy of Dulcamara (Marco Filippo Romano).
Werther is Massenet's masterpiece. International star, Charles Castronovo makes his long-awaited debut at the NNTT as Werther. Charlotte is sung by Aya Wakizono, who is also making her name internationally. It is conducted by the versatile maestro Andriy Yurkevych.
Our new productions for the 2025/2026 season are Alban Berg's Wozzeck and Richard Strauss's Elektra, two works that caused a sensation when they were premiered in Germany in the first half of twentieth century.
We open the season with our repertory production of Puccini's La Bohème, an everlasting ode to youth. Esteemed maestro Paolo Olmi returns to conduct, and Marina Costa- Jackson sings Mimi. We look forward to hearing her richly expressive voice resonate in the New National Theatre Tokyo. Listen out also for Luciano Ganci as Rodolfo, Massimo Cavalletti as Marcello, and the ensemble of the male voices.
Saburo Teshigawara's production of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice beautifully combines music and space, along with the breathtaking dance scenes. Orfeo will be sung by contralto Sara Mingardo, making her debut at the NNTT. It may seem as it were a different work compared to when sung by a countertenor. Conductor Ryuichiro Sonoda, who puts his heart and soul into opera, takes the baton.
Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus was first performed in 1874 in Vienna, where a year earlier, the World's Fair had been held, and shortly after the country was hit by the financial crisis. This operetta reflects such turbulent times. Conducted by Daniel Cohen, the fine cast led by Thomas Blondelle, Sabina Cvilak, and celebrated Japanese countertenor Daichi Fujiki as Prince Orlofsky, will invite you all to the glamourous ball.
In Verdi's Rigoletto, the world's leading baritone Vladimir Stoyanov takes the title role, who will undoubtedly portray the character with psychological depth. Gilda is sung by Eri Nakamura, who is making great strides year by year. The Duke of Mantua will be sung by Lawrence Brownlee who previously sang Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor at the NNTT. Daniele Callegari conducts this top-notch cast.
Mozart's Don Giovanni is an opera that demands individuality from each of the characters, and we have been able to bring together such a cast that includes Vito Priante, Daniel Giulianini, Irina Lungu, and Sara Cortolezzis. Connecting the fine solo voices and the exquisite blend of the voices to the drama is conductor Norichika Iimori.
Carolina López Moreno who features in La Traviata has recently emerged on the international stage, rapidly advancing her career. We are delighted to hear her Violetta, which has been praised for its extraordinary emotional expression. Antonio Corianò sings Alfredo, and the veteran baritone Roberto Frontali takes the role of Germont.
Donizetti, the composer of L'elisir d'amore, was born into a very poor family and was educated at a charitable music school from an early age. Looking at Donizetti's subsequent development, one cannot help but think that his early education had a profound effect on the gifted child. He began composing operas from his early 20s and L'elisir d'amore was his 40th opera. It's a humourous romp in which the fates of Adina (Francesca Pia Vitale), Nemorino (Matteo Desole), and Belcore (Simone Alberghini) are at the mercy of Dulcamara (Marco Filippo Romano).
Werther is Massenet's masterpiece. International star, Charles Castronovo makes his long-awaited debut at the NNTT as Werther. Charlotte is sung by Aya Wakizono, who is also making her name internationally. It is conducted by the versatile maestro Andriy Yurkevych.
Puccini
La Bohème 1 October - 11 October, 2025
Conductor: Paolo OLMI
Production: AGUNI Jun
Marina COSTA-JACKSON, Luciano GANCI, Massimo CAVALLETTI, ITO Hare, KOMADA Toshiaki, Andrea PELLEGRINI
Puccini
La Bohème 1 October - 11 October, 2025
Conductor: Paolo OLMI
Production: AGUNI Jun
Marina COSTA-JACKSON, Luciano GANCI, Massimo CAVALLETTI, ITO Hare, KOMADA Toshiaki, Andrea PELLEGRINI
NEW PRODUCTION
Berg
Wozzeck 15 November - 24 November, 2025
Conductor: ONO Kazushi
Production: Richard JONES
Thomas Johannes MAYER, John DASZAK, ITO Tatsundo, Arnold BEZUYEN, TSUMAYA Hidekazu, OTSUKA Hiroaki, HAGIWARA Jun, AOCHI Hideyuki, Jennifer DAVIS, GOKE Akiko
NEW PRODUCTION Berg
Wozzeck 15 November - 24 November, 2025
Conductor: ONO Kazushi
Production: Richard JONES
Thomas Johannes MAYER, John DASZAK, ITO Tatsundo, Arnold BEZUYEN, TSUMAYA Hidekazu, OTSUKA Hiroaki, HAGIWARA Jun, AOCHI Hideyuki, Jennifer DAVIS, GOKE Akiko
Gluck
Orfeo ed Euridice 4 December - 7 December, 2025
Conductor: SONODA Ryuichiro
Production, Choreography, Set, Costume and Lighting Design: TESHIGAWARA Saburo
Giulia SEMENZATO, Sara MINGARDO, SUGIYAMA Yuki
Johann StraussⅡ
Die Fledermaus 22 January - 29 January, 2026
Conductor: Daniel COHEN
Production: Heinz ZEDNIK
Thomas BLONDELLE, Sabina CVILAK, Levent BAKIRCI, FUJIKI Daichi, ITO Tatsundo, Rafael FINGERLOS, Maria CHABOUNIA, AOCHI Hideyuki, Horst LAMNEK, KONNO Sachie
Verdi
Rigoletto18 February - 1 March, 2026
Conductor: Daniele CALLEGARI
Production: Emilio SAGI
Vladimir STOYANOV, NAKAMURA Eri, Lawrence BROWNLEE, SAIKI Kenji, SHIMIZU Kasumi, TOMOKIYO Takashi
Mozart
Don Giovanni 5 March - 12 March, 2026
Conductor: IIMORI Norichika
Production: Grischa ASAGAROFF
Vito PRIANTE, TANAKA Taiki, Daniel GIULIANINI, Irina LUNGU, Dave MONACO, Sara CORTOLEZZIS, KONDO Kei, MORITA Mao
Verdi
La Traviata 2 April - 12 April, 2026
Conductor: Leo HUSSAIN
Production and Costume Design: Vincent BOUSSARD
Carolina LÓPEZ MORENO, Antonio CORIANÒ, Roberto FRONTALI, TANIGUCHI Mutsumi
Donizetti
L'elisir d'amore 16 May - 27 May, 2026
Conductor: Marco GUIDARINI
Production: Cesare LIEVI
Francesca Pia VITALE, Matteo DESOLE, Simone ALBERGHINI, Marco Filippo ROMANO
Massenet
Werther 24 May - 30 May, 2026
Conductor: Andriy YURKEVYCH
Production: Nicolas JOEL
Charles CASTRONOVO, WAKIZONO Aya, SUDO Shingo, SUNADA Airi, ITO Takayuki, MURAKAMI Kota, KOMADA Toshiaki
Massenet
Werther 24 May - 30 May, 2026
Conductor: Andriy YURKEVYCH
Production: Nicolas JOEL
Charles CASTRONOVO, WAKIZONO Aya, SUDO Shingo, SUNADA Airi, ITO Takayuki, MURAKAMI Kota, KOMADA Toshiaki
NEW PRODUCTION
R. Strauss
Elektra 29 June - 12 July, 2026
Conductor: ONO Kazushi
Production: Johannes ERATH
FUJIMURA Mihoko, Aile ASSZONYI, Hedvig HAUGERUD, KUDO Kazuma, Egils SILINS, MORIYA Mari
NEW PRODUCTION R.Strauss
Elektra 29 June - 12 July, 2026
Conductor: ONO Kazushi
Production: Johannes ERATH
FUJIMURA Mihoko, Aile ASSZONYI, Hedvig HAUGERUD, KUDO Kazuma, Egils SILINS, MORIYA Mari
VIDEO
Immerse Yourself in the Theatre Space:
Pre and Post-Performance Delights
The NNTT strives to not only put on high-quality performances but also to ensure the overall quality of the theatre experience.
Restaurant and Buffet
At the NNTT, you can enjoy a buffet in the foyer before the performance and during intermissions. Don't miss the opportunity to try the special menu items inspired by the repertoire. You can also visit the Maestro restaurant on the 3rd floor of the theatre where you can sample authentic Italian cuisine. Sharing your expectations or impressions from a performance while savouring good food makes for a perfect day at the theatre.
Theatre Shop
As soon as you enter through the entrance on the 1st floor, you will notice the theatre shop. Here, you can purchase commemorative items such as performance photos and original merchandise from the NNTT.
Hatsudai Art Loft and Information Centre
At the main entrance on the 1st floor and the galleries on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the NNTT, you can enjoy the free exhibition called "Hatsudai Art Loft," which showcases costumes and props from our productions. It provides a rare opportunity to appreciate the costumes and props up close and to experience the entire theatre space as an art form.
In addition, on the 5th floor, the Information Centre provides access to various resources related to the performances, including books, programmes, and sheet music. Visitors can browse materials and watch performances by the NNTT using tablets, video booths, and as video projections.
