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Japan

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6:00 PM-7:30 PM

The Opera House as a Public Space from the Perspective of Artists

Public colloquium|Art and Work, the Dynamics of Career Development

  • Library of the Goethe-Institut Tokyo, Tokyo

  • Japanese
  • Free of charge, registration required
Registration Library Events

Photos Experts Martin Sigmund, Björn Hickmann, Matthias Baus, Gothe-Institut Tokyo

Photos Experts Martin Sigmund, Björn Hickmann, Matthias Baus, Gothe-Institut Tokyo

In Germany, artists working in opera are generally recognized by society and can practice their profession under strict collective agreements and with social security protections. The opera houses in which they work function as gigantic “centers of knowledge” that shape the identity of the city and stimulate critical dialogue with citizens.

This colloquium examines the current situation in Europe, particularly in Germany, from the perspective of employed opera singers, répétiteurs, dramaturgs, and artistic directors of opera training institutions, taking into account both practical and institutional viewpoints. How are professional artists defined within the social system, and how do performing artists shape the opera house as a public space? In addition, the structural logic of the opera house and the core competencies required on site will be explored in order to highlight the significance of this project for supporting the opera careers of emerging Japanese artists in Europe.

Workshop:
An opera workshop will also take place on Monday, July 27 at the Nerima Culture Center 

Organizer:
Association for the Promotion of Japanese Opera Talents in Europe
In cooperation with:
Goethe-Institut Tokyo


Speakers (in alphabetical order):
Yuri Aoki (Répétiteur at the Stuttgart State Opera)
Fuka Arai (Dramaturg at Theaterhaus Hildesheim)
Yuko Kakuta (Soprano, Kammersängerin, Project Director)
Yoshiaki Kimura (Bassbaritone)
Yuna Kudo (Répétiteur / Artistic Director of the NRW Opera Studio)

Moderation:
Asako Ishida (Professor, Vice President of Showa University of Music, and Director of the Opera Research Institute)


Venue: Library of the Goethe-Institut Tokyo
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free

  • Whilst studying for her Master’s degree at Kyoto City University of Arts, Yuko Kakuta went to Germany as an exchange student to complete her vocal studies at the Berlin University of the Arts. After a permanent position as a soloist at the Hanover State Opera, she moved to the Stuttgart State Opera, where she was awarded the honorary title of Kammersängerin. In addition to her stage appearances in major opera roles, she is a sought-after concert singer and is also dedicated to promoting young talent.
     

  • She completed her studies in opera coaching at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo. Following stints with the Lindemann Young Artist Development Programme at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the International Opera Studio at the Stuttgart State Opera, she currently works as a principal coach at the Stuttgart State Opera. She also holds a teaching post at the Stuttgart State University of Music and Performing Arts.
     

  • After graduating from the Faculty of Music Theory at the Tokyo University of the Arts, she gained practical experience working on projects such as the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, before moving to Germany. She completed her Master’s degree in Dramaturgy at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre (HMT) in Leipzig. She subsequently furthered her knowledge at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin and at the Mainfranken Theater in Würzburg. Since December 2025, she has been working as a dramaturg in the opera and concert department at the Theater für Niedersachsen in Hildesheim.
     

  • Kimura completed his vocal studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts with a PhD and subsequently continued his training as a bass-baritone in Germany, France and Belgium, where he passed his concert examination. From 2014 to 2026, he worked as a soloist at Bielefeld Opera. To date, he has made over 600 stage appearances in Europe. His debut at the New National Theatre in Tokyo in the title role of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ is scheduled for December this year. He is currently a lecturer at the Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo.

  • Yuna Kudo studied musicology at the Tokyo University of the Arts. She completed her master’s degree in piano accompaniment at the Conservatorio “Arrigo Boito” in Parma. Following her training at the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, she went on to work there as a lecturer. Following permanent engagements at the Musiktheater im Revier Gelsenkirchen and the Frankfurt Opera, she has been Artistic Director of the Opernstudio NRW since 2023. In 2025 and 2026, she is also engaged as a répétiteur at the Bayreuth Festival.

  • Asako Ishida is a professor and assistant to the president at Showa University of Music. She is currently director of the university’s Opera Research Centre, editor-in-chief of the Japan Opera Yearbook, director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Management Committee, and programme director (research) at the Japan Arts Council. Her most important publications include “Citizen Opera” and “A Perspective on Subsidising Arts and Culture”. She completed her doctoral studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts and was awarded a PhD.