Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

As the culmination of Muti's Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo, the maestro conducted a model performance of selected excerpts from Rigoletto in the main hall of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

Pin sharp playing and pin sharp acoustics combine to form a high quality reading of Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 27 and Shostakovich's Symphony no. 15, one of the quirkiest of symphonies.

The highlight of Hamburg Ballet’s tour in Japan was the gala The World of John Neumeier. It was rather a full length piece following the life and career of Neumeier with his major works performed seamlessly, accompanied by his own narration

The Mariinsky dances Swan Lake beautifully, but the drama lacks characterisation. Performed at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, in Japan.

The legendary Natalia Makarova celebrated her 75th birthday in Japan with the Mariinsky's Romeo and Juliet which was led by Kristina Shapran and Timur Askerov.  

Paris Opera Ballet presented a stunning sold-out performance of John Neumeier's Lady of the Camellias in Tokyo, a final performance for Isabelle Ciaravola as the Etoile of the company.

American Ballet Theatre's Japan tour returns Kenneth MacMillan's Manon to company repetoire, with Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes dancing the main roles, the two stars dazzling with chemistry.