Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation Announces the 2026 2027 Season Lineup
Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation (Chairman of the board: Tsuyoshi Nagano) announces the opera performance lineup for the 2026 2027 season, running from September 2026 to May 2027.To kick off the season, as the collaboration among Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre, Theater Bonn and the Welsh National Opera, we present a new production of Verdi's La Forza del d estino alongside the world premiere of La Bohème directed by Amon Miyamoto, revival of Madama Butterfly directed by the Japanese legendary stage director Masayoshi Kuriyama , additionally, as part of 《 Tokyo Nikikai Concertante Series 》 , we will present Schumann's Szenen aus Goethes Faust.
Under the three pillars of international exchange, the rise of female conductors, and the rediscovery of classic masterpieces, a new season begins where tradition and innovation resonate together. Please look forward to new season at Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation, where tradition and innovation resonate together.
【September 2026】Collaboration with Theater Bonn & Welsh National Opera Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre
Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre
La forza del destino Giuseppe Verdi / New Production
Conductor: Erina Yashima
Stage Director: Sir David Pountney
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Venue: New National Theatre, Tokyo Opera Palace
Dates: Sep. 3 (Thu) 18:00 / 4 (Fri), 5 (Sat), 6 (Sun) 14:00
David Pountney , the world renowned director and Knight, returns to Japan after 22 years. During his month long visit, he will tackle Verdi's masterpiece of human drama alongside selected singers from Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre.
Please look forward to the Japanese opera debut of conductor Erina Yashima , a beloved disciple of Riccardo Muti , former first Kapellmeister of the Komische Oper Berlin, who continues to receive acclaim on major stages across Europe and America, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, English National Opera, and the Bregenzer Festspiele Yashima is also scheduled to make her debut with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra during this visit to Japan (September 26).
【December 2026】Tokyo Nikikai Concertante Series
Szenen aus Goethes "Faust" Robert Schumann
Conductor: Sebastian Weigle
(Principal Conductor of Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra)
Orchestra: Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall
Dates: Dec. 12 (Sat) , 13 (Sun) 14:00
We present Schumann's monumental work, symbolizing the spirit of German Romanticism, conducted by Sebastian Weigle , with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra.
Following Berlioz's "La damnation de Faust" (to be staged in December 2025), this ambitious production continues the lineage of Faust at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Following on from "Der Rosenkavalier", "Salome", Tannhäuser ", and "Parsifal", the fifth instalment of Sebastian Weigle , Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra & Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation present us the long awaited masterpiece by Schumann.
We create immersive stage spaces utilizing visuals and lighting.
【January 2027】Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre
Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre
La Bohème Giacomo Puccini / World Premiere
Conductor: Clelia Caffiero
Stage Director: Amon Miyamoto
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Venues: Yokosuka Arts Theatre Jan 9 (Sat) 14:00
New National Theatre, Tokyo Opera Palace
-Jan 14 (Thu) 18:00 / 15 (Fri) , 16 (Sat), 17 (Sun) 14:00
This is the world premiere of a new production of "La Bohème ". Amon Miyamoto takes on Puccini's masterpiece, the inspiration for the musical "Rent", for the first time.
Clelia Cafiero , making her Tokyo debut, will conduct. She is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Opéra de Tours, France, and a prodigy, trained as a Korrepetitor at Teatro alla Scala, has received acclaim for her performances of "Carmen" and "Tosca" at Les Chorégies d'Orange and "Don Carlos" at the Opéra national de Paris. This season, she is scheduled to make her debut in "La Traviata " at the Semperoper Dresden and "Carmen" at Opera Australia, and to return engagement with English National Opera. Her signature opera in "La Bohème ", acclaimed at major opera houses including the Berliner Staatsoper , is not to be missed. During the same period, she is also scheduled to appear at the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra's subscription concert (January 23 and 24). Look forward to the light and shadow of youth depicted by these two artists, resonating in the modern era.
【May 2027】Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre
Madama Butterfly Giacomo Puccini
Stage Director: Masayoshi Kuriyama
Conductor: TBA
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Venue: New National Theatre, Tokyo Opera Palace
Dates: May 28 (Fri) 18:00 / 30 (Sun) 14:00
Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre presents its all out production of "Japanese Madama Butterfly," hailed as the magnum opus directed by Masayoshi Kuriyama , the maestro of Japan's opera world who passed away in 2023. A stage embodying Japan's aesthetic sensibility elevates universal tragedy into a new level of emotion.
National Tour 2026-2027
Carmen Georges Bizet
Tokyo Nikikai Opera
Stage Director: Irina Brook
Dates: October November 2026
