A public viewing of the Italian Opera Academy by opera master Riccardo Muti will also be held.
Key points of this event
– A free event will be held at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, where you can experience the world of classical opera.
– Experience the powerful conducting of opera master Riccardo Muti and performances by young conductors from around the world who have been trained by Muti through public viewing.
– Enjoy a luxurious moment with a concert featuring a variety of artists, including opera singers, pianists, and violinists.
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Mitsui Fudosan") and Tokyo Midtown Hibiya will hold "HIBIYA CLASSICS," an event offering up-close enjoyment of classical music and opera, for five days from September 11th (Thursday) to September 15th (Monday, national holiday).
"HIBIYA CLASSICS" was first held last year as a classical music event where people could experience classical music and art, and attracted approximately 2,000 people over five days. This year, it is scheduled to be even more powerful.
Mitsui Fudosan is a special sponsor of the "Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo Vol. 5," organized by the "Spring Festival in Tokyo"*. The event will feature a public viewing of Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra," performed by Muti and young musicians at the "Italian Opera Academy," at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. The event will also feature an opera concert by Nissay Theatre and the Fujiwara Opera Company, as well as performances by a diverse range of artists, including talented violinists and pianists.
Mitsui Fudosan aims to accelerate urban development that leverages the power of sports and entertainment, and maximize the value of real-world experiences. By providing a venue for this classic event, we aim to deliver unprecedented experiential value.
HIBIYA CLASSICS 2024
Riccardo Muti
*The Tokyo Spring Music Festival is one of Japan's largest classical music festivals, held every spring in the Ueno Park area. In sympathy with opera maestro Riccardo Muti's belief that "preserving and spreading the beauty and profundity of Italian opera, in accordance with methods and standards that are now being lost, is a moral and ethical obligation," the festival has been hosting the Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo since 2019.
"HIBIYA CLASSICS" Program Introduction
Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo vol.5 "Simon Boccanegra" Public Viewing
This is a rare opportunity to watch a public viewing of a performance conducted by Riccardo Muti, Italy's proud master of opera. The program features Verdi's masterpiece opera, Simon Boccanegra. Even those who are interested in opera but have never been to a venue can enjoy the music created on the big screen by Riccardo Muti's trusted Tokyo Spring Festival Orchestra, the Tokyo Opera Singers, and the world's finest soloists.
Overview of "Mitsui Fudosan presents Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo Vol. 5 Public Viewing"
① Riccardo Muti presents Simon Boccanegra performed by young musicians
(concert format/with subtitles)
Date and time: Thursday, September 11th, from 7:00 PM
*The conductor will be a student, not Riccardo Muti.
② Riccardo Muti conducting "Simon Boccanegra" (concert format/with subtitles)
Date and time: Saturday, September 13th, from 3:00 PM / Monday, September 15th (national holiday), from 7:00 PM
*Riccardo Muti will not be in attendance as all performances will be streamed live.
Cooperation: Tokyo Spring Music Festival Executive Committee
Public viewing commentary talk by Tokyo Nikikai
Three vocalists who have attended the Italian Opera Academy and been trained by Maestro Riccardo Muti will provide commentary on the work. In addition to introducing the opera, they will also talk about their memories of the academy, and what it was like backstage, including Muti's true personality and attitude towards music.
Participants: Masato Takada (host), Hirotaka Kato (commentary on September 11th), Ikuko Nakajima (commentary on September 13th), Hironori Shiro (commentary on September 15th)
Date and time: ①September 11th (Thursday) 18:30~ ②September 13th (Saturday) 14:30~ ③September 15th (Monday/Holiday) 18:30~
Masato Takada (Moderator)
Hirotaka Kato (Commentary)
Ikuko Nakajima (Commentary)
Hironori Shiro (Commentary)
Nissay Theatre presents Opera Masterpiece Concert
Featuring up-and-coming opera singers, soprano Reina Suzuki and mezzo-soprano Yuki Sugiyama. These two talented singers, who will be appearing in the opera "Cendrillon" to be performed at Nissay Theatre in November, will deliver exquisite arias from masterpieces by Mozart, Puccini, and Bizet. The event will be hosted by Momoko Mizue, who made her debut as Cosette in the musical "Les Misérables" in 2024. Enjoy a luxurious moment surrounded by beautiful music.
Cast: Reina Suzuki (soprano), Yuki Sugiyama (mezzo-soprano), Momoko Mizue (MC)
Date and time: September 14th (Sunday) 13:00-/15:00-
Rena Suzuki
Yuki Sugiyama
Momoko Mizue
The World of Verdi – Opera that depicts the depths of humanity –
Verdi's operas are the pinnacle of passion and human drama. Tragic love, epic scale, and heartbreaking romance resonate with audiences across the ages, and the music, woven together by the orchestra's power and delicate arias, stirs the soul and vividly portrays the joys and sufferings of the characters. The simple melodies are imbued with complex humanity, drawing the audience into the world of the story. The singers of the Fujiwara Opera Company will deliver a number of timeless masterpieces that breathe life into the stage.
Cast: Mako Nishimoto (soprano), Kenji Moriguchi (baritone), Ryoko Takita (piano)
Date and time: September 15th (Monday/holiday) 13:30-/16:00-
Mako Nishimoto
Kenji Moriguchi
Ryoko Takita
1966 Quartet "Trio Edition" Classical Passion and Rock Trajectory
Celebrating their 15th anniversary this year, the talented strings unit "1966 Quartet" plays a wide variety of genres, including UK rock, pop, and film music, with a foundation in classical music, and unique arrangements. In this performance, they will deliver a delicate and passionate rendition of a number of nostalgic yet fresh classics. Enjoy an exciting time in the streets of Hibiya.
*This performance will feature a trio consisting of Risa Matsuura (violin), Yuki Hanai (violin), and Minori Masuda (piano).
Performer: 1966 Quartet Date and time: Friday, September 12th, 14:00-/16:00-
Shuhei Takezawa – Elegant music in the atrium, with the sounds of ancient Europe –
A collection of emotionally rich and tasteful masterpieces by Shuhei Takezawa, a leading authority on Baroque music. Enjoy the elegant passage of time in the atrium of Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
Performer: Shuhei Takezawa (cello & viola da gamba)
Date and time: September 12th (Friday) 15:00-/17:00-
Shuhei Takezawa
Famous songs played on the piano
This piano performance will feature Arisa Sakai, an internationally active pianist who has won numerous international competitions. She will perform pieces such as Chopin's "Three Brillantes, Op. 34-1" and "Ballade No. 1 in G minor." Enjoy a memorable experience with her delicate emotional expression and masterful technique.
*Selected as a NEXT artist for 2024 by Tokyo Midtown Hibiya's Young Artist Support Project.
Performer: Arisa Sakai (piano)
Date and time: September 13th (Sat) 11:30-/13:00
Arisa Sakai
Classical music, more freely: An afternoon of violin and piano
This collaboration between internationally acclaimed up-and-coming violinist Miyu Imai and pianist Masafumi, who excels in everything from jazz to classical music, will feature sophisticated arrangements of a diverse range of classic pieces, from Bach's tranquil sonatas to Monti's "Csárdás," as well as classic Ghibli songs and "Jonetsu Tairiku." Why not take a brief musical journey in the heart of the city, feeling the breeze of Hibiya?
Performers: Miyu Imai (violin), Masafumi (piano)
Date and time: September 14th (Sunday) 14:00-/16:00-
Miyu Imai
Masafumi
Twin Violin (from Rhy Zoo) – A new form of classical music
"Twin Violin," a duo formed by two violinists from the Tokyo University of the Arts trio "Rhy Zoo," will perform. In addition to Rhy Zoo's original compositions, they will also perform Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 5." This will be a string ensemble that is different from the usual Rhy Zoo performances.
Performer: Twin Violin (from Rhy Zoo)
Date and time: September 15th (Monday/holiday) 12:00~/15:00~
Twin Violin (from Rhy Zoo) (from left) Seiichiro Miyagawa, Mitsuki Kato
*The performance content may be subject to change.
Overview of "HIBIYA CLASSICS"
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, 1st floor atrium Event period: September 11th (Thursday) to September 15th (Monday, national holiday)
Admission fee: Free Organizers: Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Tokyo Midtown Hibiya URL: https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/hibiyaclassics/
Mitsui Fudosan Group Sustainability
Based on the philosophy of the "& Mark," which states, "We will create new value through coexistence, co-existence, and co-creation, and will continue to take on the challenge of achieving this," the Mitsui Fudosan Group regards "creating social value" and "creating economic value" as two wheels of a cart. Creating social value leads to creating economic value, and we hope to realize the creation of even greater social value through that economic value.
When formulating our new Group Management Philosophy in April 2024, we identified six "GROUP MATERIALITY (priority issues)": 1. Contributing to industrial competitiveness, 2. Coexistence with the environment, 3. Health and vitality, 4. Safety and security, 5. Diversity and inclusion, and 6. Compliance and governance. We will address these materialities through our core business and contribute to sustainability.
【reference】
・"Group Long-Term Management Policy" https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/corporate/innovation2030/
・"Group Materiality" https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/esg_csr/approach/materiality/
[Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.] Press Release
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