Classical music, opera, ballet and dance in Tokyo, Japan

The New National Theatre Tokyo season ends with a powerful new production of Richard Strauss’ Elektra featuring an impressive house debut by Estonian soprano Aile Asszonyi. 

In the lead-up to the Beethoven anniversary year, the Quatuor Ébène gives a complete Beethoven quartet cycle in Tokyo as part of the annual Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden festival.

National Ballet of Japan’s revival of Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake showed the company in good form, especially among the unified corps de ballet Swans. 

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a gem in the repertoire, despite shortcomings in the plot. Lavish production designs, stunning classical choreography and excellent dancers makes this a ballet lover's heaven.

As part of its centenary celebrations this season, the NHK Symphony Orchestra has curated a Japanese Composer Series with three intriguing concerts, of which this concert is the second.