About us

The Fujiwara Opera

Founded in 1934 by Yoshie Fujiwara, the Fujiwara Opera is the first professional opera company in Japan, and still is the leading company even after more than 80 years.

After a merger with the Japan Opera Association and becoming part of the Japan Opera Foundation, the Fujiwara Opera is presently the business unit focusing on the so-called western operas and carries its history and legacy to this day.

Kiyoshi Igarashi was appointed the 3rd General Director in 1985. He aggressively pursued raising awareness and popularity of opera works by engaging well-known masterpieces. He invited world top-class international singers, conductors, stage directors etc. to collaborate with the Fujiwara singers/crew members and under his direction, theatrical standards were elevated to the international level. In 1986, simultaneous translated titles were introduced and further contributed to the success in gaining public attention. The performances of “La Forza del Destino”, “Andrea Chenier”, “Norma”, and “La Favorita,” works until then regarded as complicated and difficult, received high international acclaim, further enhancing opera productions in Japan.

Former bass singer Hiroyuki Okayama was appointed Production Director in 2003 and afterwards the 4th General Director in 2014. He continued engaging popular masterpieces and added themes such as the Rossini series. “ Il Turco in Italia” “L’italiana in Algeri” “Il viaggio a Rheims”” La gazza ladra”” Tancredi” etc. received raving reviews.

Tadamichi Orie (former bass singer) is now the 5th General Director and under his leadership, the Fujiwara Opera continues to elevate its standards and attract a wide range of audience.

Japan Opera Association

Formerly known as the Institute for Opera Education and Research (1858), Japan Opera Association changed its name in 1970 and then merged with the Fujiwara Opera in 1981. Since its inception, Japan Opera Association has focused on the creation of opera works based on Japanese tradition and culture and has contributed to the development of the field of opera in Japan. In 1984, the production of “Iwaiuta no nagareru yoruni (The evening you hear songs of celebration)” presented by the 39th National Arts Festival (the Agency for Cultural Affairs) won the 13th Jiro Opera Special Award. In 1988, the production of “Kesa to Morito (Kesa and Morito)” participated in the Warsaw Autumn Music Festival dispatched by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and received high acclaim.

Japan Opera Association started the “Japanese Opera Series” in 1965 and to this day, has seen great achievements. The 1st General Director Hiroshi Ooga was indeed the pioneer in developing the unique vocal method for the Japanese language. As mentor and instructor to the younger generation, he has left a legacy in his research and training of “singing in beautiful Japanese.”

“Yuzuru” by Ikuma Dan, “Shunkinsho (A portrait of Shunkin)” by Minoru Miki, “Tenshu monogatari (Tale of a Castle Keep)” by Shuko Mizuno are well-known Japanese operas. The Japan premiere of “Ada” by Minoru Miki, “Iwaiuta no nagareru yoruni (The evening you hear songs of celebration)”and “Yosaikoi bushi (Yosakoi song)” by Kazuko Hara, “Koya hijiri (Monk Koya)” by Shinichiro Ikebe, revival of “Kesa to Morito (Kesa and Morito)” by Kan Ishii, “Kurofune (Black Ship)” by Kosaku Yamada have received positive reviews.

Aiko Kori, mezzo soprano, has assume the 2nd General Director from April 2017.
We look forward to the future enhancement of Japanese composers and their works under her direction.

Headquarters

Nishi Shinjuku Toyokuni Building 102, 2-5-8 Hatsudai, Shibuya-ku Tokyo 151-0061
Tel : 03-6721-0995
Fax : 03-6721-0997

Kurokawa office / Training dept

76-1 Kurokawa, Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 215-0035
Tel : 044-819-5505