On February 6th, Seiji Ozawa, who served as artistic director of Tokyo Opera Nomori, the predecessor of Spring Festival in Tokyo, passed away.

 Seiji Ozawa was artistic director of Tokyo Opera Nomori since its founding until 2008.  During his tenure, he invested a great amount of effort, particularly in the unprecedented attempt to export operas newly produced in Tokyo to prestigious opera houses abroad and laid the foundation for the music festival.

 

　　2005 Elektra

　　Co-production with Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Opéra National de Paris
　　
2006 Otello

　　Co-production with Wiener Staatsoper
　　
2007 Tannhäuser 

　　Co-production with Opéra National de Paris and Gran Teatre del Liceu
　　
2008 Eugene Onegin

　　Co-production with Wiener Staatsoper

 
　　
* Otello in 2006 was conducted by another conductor as Maestro Ozawa cancelled his appearance due to illness.

 

Just before the opening of the 20th season of the music festival in this milestone anniversary year, we are all deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Seiji Ozawa, with whom we worked to form the basis of the music festival.

We would like to express our sincere respect and gratitude to him for all the outstanding achievements he accomplished, having dedicated his life to the development of the music world, not only in Japan, but also in Asia and around the world, and extend our deepest condolences.

Photo：Tokyo Opera no Mori 2007 “Tannhäuser” - curtain call／©Michiharu Okubo

©Shintaro Shiratori