Performer: Kazushi Ono

For his new staging of Rossini’s Guillaume Tell at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, director Yannis Kokkos avoids specific contemporary references, choosing a setting that transcends the times. 

Foccroulle’s limited score imitates environmental catastrophe while Jocelyn’s libretto tries – unevenly – to understand why we might ignore it.

New National Opera sucessfully  opened a world premiere production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, directed by Spanish director Àlex Ollé, a production inspired by Amy Winehouse, a diva of today. 

Kazushi Ono, Artistic Director at Tokyo’s foremost opera house, introduces this year’s bel canto-infused season – and explains his vision for the house’s distinctive Theatergeist.

Beginning with an unusual Puccini/Ravel double bill, and with two new productions and an array of revivals, New National Theatre Tokyo’s season 2023–24 has much to offer.

Tokyo-born but with 25 years of conducting in Europe under his belt, Ono talks about Mark-Anthony Turnage's large scale choral work Hibiki, his current work on Prokofiev's The Fiery Angel and future plans.