Ottokar

Teruhiko Komori

[Baritone]

Studied at the graduate school of Tokyo University of the Arts, Agency for Cultural Affairs Opera Studio, and Berlin University of the Arts. His career at the Altenburg-Gera Theater as a top baritone has lasted 12 seasons. He held many major roles, and was praised as "a star baritone who carries the entire theater." 5-time winner, including an Honorary Award, of the Theater Oscar for the best vocalist by popular vote, and awarded the title of German Kammersänger, first ever for a Japanese singer. He has also made guest appearances all over Europe including the Salzburg Festival. Professor at the Tokyo College of Music. Member of the Nikikai Opera Foundation. Played the role of Eisenstein in the 2011 performance of "Die Fledermaus", under the baton of Yutaka Sado at Hyogo performing Arts Center.

Kuno

Bernd Hofmann

[Bass]

German bass who has the title of Bavarian state Kammersänger. Studied at University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under Ralf Döring and Walter Berry. After winning the Mozart Music Festival Competition (Würzburg) and the Master Singer Competition (Nuremberg), acted at the Staatstheater Nürnberg from 1998 and at the Staatstheater Wiesbaden from 2008 with an exclusive contract. From 1999, in addition to being invited many times to the Salzburg Festival, he has been active in major theatres in Germany including Berlin, Hamburg, and Stuttgard, and music festivals such as Edinburgh, and was a part of the first ever performance of "Der Ring" by Wagner in China, in Beijing. First appearance in Japan.

Agathe

Jessica Muirhead

[Soprano]

U.K.-born Canadian soprano. After winning various international competitions, chosen for the part of Pamina in "Die Zauberflöte" at the Vienna Volksoper, as well several roles in her hometown Toronto's Canadian Opera Company, in addition to appearances in the Semperoper, the Glyndebourne Touring Opera, and the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon. Performed as Musetta, alongside Anna Netrebko in the rendition of "La Boheme" in the Bayerische Staatsoper. Signed an exclusive contract in August 2015 with the Aalto-Musiktheater. Highly praised for her variety of roles such as Donna Anna, Violetta, and Mimi, and her future career is highly anticipated. Awarded the Aalto-Bühnen Preis 2018 which is offered by the Freundeskreis in Essen. First appearance in Japan.

Ännchen

Sara Kobayashi

[Soprano]

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and its graduate school. Recipient of the Nomura Foundation scholarship in 2010, and participated in overseas study program for upcoming artists by Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2011. Recipient of the Rohm Music Foundation scholarship in 2014. Studied in Vienna and Rome from 2010 to 2015. After her debut in "Bastien and Bastienne" in 2006, appeared as Liù in "Turandot" at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater and a flower maiden in "Parsifal" at the New National Theater Tokyo. In 2012, made her debut in Europe in the role of Lauretta in "Gianni Schicchi" at the Sofia National Opera. In 2015, appeared as Susanna in "The Marriage of Figaro" directed by Hideki Noda and conducted by Michiyoshi Inoue, and the role of Micaëla in "Carmen" in 2017. In 2017, awarded the 27th Idemitsu Music Award. Member of the Japan Vocalists Forum. Member of the Fujiwara Opera. Played the role of Adele in the operetta "Die Fledermaus" under the baton of Yutaka Sado at Hyogo Performing Arts Center in 2011.

Kaspar

Tomohiro Takada

[Baritone]

After graduating from Kunitachi College of Music and completing the Nikikai Opera Institute, he graduated with top honors from Kunitachi College of Music graduate school where he majored German Lied. In 2005, winner of the Tamaki Miura Special Award in the 4th Mt. Fuji International Opera Competition of Shizuoka. In 2006, winner of the 4th Nagakute International Opera Vocal Music Contest. Since 2007, he had an overseas career with an exclusive contract at Kiel Opera House, Germany, playing various roles, such as Beckmesser in "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," the title role of "Eugene Onegin," and Rodrigo in "Don Carlos." Appeared in operas under the baton of by Yutaka Sado at Hyogo Performing Arts Center; "The Barber of Seville" as Figaro in 2013, "La traviata" as Germont in 2015, and "Le nozze di Figaro" as Count Almaviva in 2017. In December 2017, awarded the title of Kammersänger from Kiel city.

Max

Torsten Kerl

[Tenor]

German tenor who is highly praised around the world as a Heldentenor taking on epic singing roles in works by Wagner and others. Played many roles mainly in German operas, in first rate theaters and music festivals including the Vienna States Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Staatsoper Hamburg, Opéra National de Paris, and the Bayreuth Festival. In Japan as well, in 2014, received praise for his role as Paul in "Die tote Stadt" at the New National Theater Tokyo. This year in February, scheduled to play Max in the rendition of "Der Freischütz" at the Semperoper. First appearance at Hyogo Performing Arts Center.

Hermit

Hidekazu Tsumaya

[Bass]

Studied in Milan after completing a graduate program at Tokyo University of the Arts. Exclusive contract with the Leipzig Opera since 1994 and with the German National Theatre since 2002, Weimar, in addition to playing roles at the Bregenzer Festspiele, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and the Berlin State Opera. In Japan as well, he has played roles in venues such as the New National Theater Tokyo and the Nikikai Opera Foundation. He has acted in over 60 operas, played 80 roles, and performed over 800 times, and has earned overwhelming support as a Japanese bass singer. Winner of the 24th Giraud Opera Prize and the 3rd Russia Vocal Award. Currently lives in Leipzig. Member of the Nikikai Opera Foundation. First appearance in an opera production by Hyogo Performing Arts Center.

Ottokar

Hidekazu Machi

[Baritone]

Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music and its graduate school with top honors. Completed the New National Theater Tokyo Opera Studio. Studied in Bologna and Munich. Appeared in operas under the baton of Yutaka Sado at Hyogo Performing Arts Center; "Madame Butterfly" in 2006, "Tosca" in 2012, "The Barber of Seville" in 2013, "Così fan tutte" in 2014, "La Traviata" in 2015, and "Le nozze di Figaro" in 2017. In 2017, earned high praise for the role of Le Dancaïre in "Carmen" conducted by Dutoit of the NHK Symphony Orchestra. He is active in many other venues as well, including the New National Theater Tokyo, the Saito Kinen Festival, Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, and the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy.

Kuno

Yoshiyuki Shikano

[Bass]

Studied at Nihon University College of Art and the non-digree course at Tokyo University of the Arts. After his opera debut as Grenvil in "La traviata", he has also played a major role in the pop industry as a respected bass vocalist. After transitioning back to classical music, he appeared in many stage performances such as "Così fan tutte" conducted by Seiji Ozawa (concert version), Baron Ochs in "Der Rosenkavalier" and Bartolo in "Le nozze di Figaro" by the Nikikai Opera Foundation. His active career showcases his wide range of expression from important roles in Wagner pieces to comical roles in operettas. Member of the Nikikai Opera Foundation. First appearance at Hyogo Performing Arts Center.

Agathe

Katharina Hagopian

[Soprano]

Highly praised soprano from Mainz, Germany, for her great range of expression and strong presence. After studying at Cologne University of Music, she earned a master's degree at the Mannes School of Music in New York as a Fulbright scholar. After winning several awards in various singing contests and participating in the Zurich Opera House's International Opera Studio, she signed an exclusive contract with Theater Aachen. Since then, she has expanded her diverse repertoire, with roles such as Countess Almaviva in "Le nozze di Figaro", Micaëla in "Carmen", Rosalinde in "Die Fledermaus", Agathe in "Der Freischütz", Ottavia in "L'incoronazione di Poppea" and Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni." First appearance in Japan.

Ännchen

Maria Rosendorfsky

[Soprano]

Born in Vienna. With a diverse repertoire such as operas, operettas, modern music, and even oratorios, she has been active on an international level, in venues such as the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Volksoper, and States Theatre at Gärtnerplatz. Signed an exclusive contract with Theater Ulm from 2004, Meiningen States Theatre from 2006, and returned to sign an exclusive contract with Theater Ulm from 2013. She had a very successful run last season with her performance as the title role of "Lulu" (composed by Berg) at Theater Ulm. First appearance at Hyogo Performing Arts Center.

Kaspar

Joshua Bloom

[Bass]

Born in Australia. He joined the Young Artist Program at Opera Australia and the Merola Opera Program at San Fransisco Opera, and acted in roles in the Vienna States Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and Washington National Opera. Bloom has appeared on stage with the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Rattle, in "Le Grand Macabre" (composed by Ligeti), as Figaro in "Le nozze di Figaro" at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, a role in the world premiere of "Alice's Adventures Underground" (composed by Barry), and as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the English National Opera. This is his second time to appear in the opera productions under the baton of Yutaka Sado at Hyogo Perfirming Arts Center including "A Midsummer Night"s Dream" in 2016.

Max

Christopher Ventris

[Tenor]

One of Britain's most successful tenors. He is internationally renowned as a Wagnerian singer. He has played major stages in a diverse repertoire including Peter Grimes, Max ("Der Freischütz"), Laca ("Jenůfa"), and Prince Andrey Khovansky ("Khovanshchina"). His role in "Parsifal" (conducted by Haitink) from Opernhaus Zürich has been captured on DVD, and "Die Walküre" (conducted by Thielemann) from the Vienna States Opera has been recorded live on CD. In recent seasons, he has performed in "Parsifal", "Lohengrin", and "Die Walküre" (including performances in Japan) at the Vienna States Opera, "Fidelio" at the Hamburg States Opera, and others.

Hermit

Kenji Saiki

[Bass]

Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music graduate school, completed the Nikikai Opera Studio Master Class, and studied in Bologna. He has played many major roles as a bass, and dazzled crowds as Colline in "La bohème" and Prince Gremin in "Eugene Onegin". At the New National Theater Tokyo, he played Zuniga in "Carmen", the King of Egypt in "Aida", and he has played roles in operas under the baton of Yutaka Sado at Hyogo Performing Arts Center, as Zuniga in "Carmen" in 2009, Scarpia in "Tosca" in 2012, and Barone Douphol in "La traviata" in 2015. He continues his active and broad career with religious music, concerts, and more. Won 3rd prize in the 78th Music Competition of Japan. Member of the Nikikai Opera Foundation.

Kilian

Tetsutaro Shimizu

[Tenor]

Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts and its graduate school. Won 1st prize in the 33rd Iizuka Music Competition and received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Aaward. He has won many other awards as well, including 3rd prize in the 9th Tokyo Music Competition, and a finalist in the 82nd Music Competition of Japan. He won an honorable mention by the 2012 Music Critics Club and was awarded the 38th Nada Lions Club Music Award and 27th Saka Tokitada Music Award in 2017. In 2015, he was invited as a soloist for the Sachsisches Vocalensemble concert "Messiah" in Dresden. More recently, in 2017, he was chosen for the major role of Triquet in "Eugene Onegin" conducted by Fedoseyev for the NHK Music Festival. He appeared in the operas under the baton of Yutaka Sado at Hyogo Performing Arts Center, "The Barber of Seville" in 2013 and "La traviata" in 2015.

Samiel

Peter Goessner

Born in Leipzig, in 1962. Completed a master's degree in Theater Studies at Leipzig University. Worked at Thalia Theater Halle. In 1992, he came to Japan, and started Uzume theater company based in Kitakyushu city, where he has put on many pieces as manager and as director. In 2000, he won grand prize for best director in the first Toga Director's Competition. In 2007, he became art director at Chofu Municipal Sengawa Theater in Tokyo. In 2010, he was nominated for the Yomiuri Theater Award ("Philoctetes" by Heiner Müller). In 2010, he directed the first-ever performance in Japan of the opera "Genoveva" (by Schumann) for the Tokyo Chamber Opera Theater at New National Theater Tokyo. Professor in directing at Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music. Cultural ambassador for Kitakyushu City. Currently lives in Tokyo.

Conductor

Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts. Studied under Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. Winner of the 1989 International Besançon Competition for Young Conductors. He has performed for top class orchestras around Europe, including the Orchestre de Paris, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, Berlin Philharmonic, and NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. From September 2015, inaugurated as music director of the Tonkünstler Orchestra, with a history of over 100 years in Austria. His achievements are numerous and his opera productions include "La traviata" at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in 2003, "Madame Butterfly" at the Chorégies d'Orange in 2007, "Peter Grimes" at the Teatro Regio Torino in 2010, "Carmen" in 2012, and "The Marriage of Figaro" in 2015. He is the artistic director at the Hyogo Performing Arts Center and chief conductor at the Siena Wind Orchestra. Many CDs of his performances have been released, and his newest is his sixth CD as conductor of the Tonkünstler Orchestra, "Bruckner: Symphony No. 9" (released December 2017). His written works include "How I Became a Conductor" (Shincho Bunko), "A Life of Waving a Baton - How Conductors Carve Time" (PHP Shinsho/PHP Bunko).

Official fan site : http://yutaka-sado.meetsfan.jp

Michael Temme

Stage director

Born in Hanover, Germany. Appeared as an extra in an opera at the Staatsoper Hannover at the age of 13. After studying at Hanover University of Music, at 23, he started his career as an assistant director at Aalto Theatre. In 1973, he took on his first role as director after transferring to Theater Hagen. In 1975, he transferred to Theater Dortmund. In addition to his theater contracts, he participated in theater performances around the world, including Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Lyon, and Milan. After he worked for 12 years as a freelance director from 1978, he was hired as a professor of opera acting and musical theater direction at University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna from 1991. Until 2009, he has taught young artists who currently appear at the major stages around the world mainly in German-speaking countries. After retiring, he continued to travel around the world in search of new opera projects, and received contracts as director in areas from Augsburg and other parts of Germany to Taiwan, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and Shanghai. As an educator, he has held courses at training facilities and master classes around the world, and was a visiting professor for Tokyo University of the Arts in 2016. First appearance at Hyogo Performing Arts Center.