The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) The NCTA is the nation’s oldest multicultural arts presenting organization. For over eight decades, through festivals, tours, symposia, exhibits, and media productions, the NCTA has showcased the very best of the myriad grassroots folk, tribal and ethnic cultures that comprise our diverse nation.
A Groundbreaking, Cross-Cultural Interpretation of Early Italian Opera with Traditional Japanese Performing Arts
The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is proud to partner in supporting this important artistic project. JOIN US!
Created to celebrate 150 years of bilateral relations between Italy and Japan, Japan Orfeo is an utterly unique, international cross-cultural production connecting early 17th century Italian opera with traditional Japanese performing arts. The world premiere will take place in October 2016 at the sacred Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, followed by a performance at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall.
YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION!
Donations are 100% tax deductible and will specifically support the twenty-strong team of singers, musicians and technical crew traveling from Italy to Japan.
Monteverdi’s lyric masterpiece from 1607 is the starting point for this unique artistic collaboration that embraces such diverse expressions as the 800-year-old Hosho School of Noh Theatre, the Gagaku Imperial Court Ensemble, Nihon buyō classical Japanese dance, and the southern Italian pizzica dance, and features some of the finest interpreters of early 17th century Italian music theatre. (Both Noh theater and gagaku music have been designated as Masterpieces of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.) The choice of Monteverdi’s Orfeo, based upon the classical Greek myth, pays homage to the Japanese myth of Izanami and Izanaghi as described in the 8th century Kojiki, the oldest existing record of Japanese history.
Japan Orfeo is the brainchild of conductor Aaron Carpene and stage director Stefano Vizioli, and is being produced by the Japanese non-profit Friendship Bridge Classical Music and Arts Society. Costumes designed and donated by the renowned Italian fashion house Missoni.
Donations of any amount are welcome; there is no limit.
Special benefits for patrons attending a performance include:
- Donations of $5,000 or more:
- VIP invitation to the gala premiere on the 8th October 2016 at the sacred Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura.
- Donations of $10,000 or more:
- VIP invitation to the gala premiere on the 8th October 2016 at the sacred shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura;
- a private traditional Tea Ceremony in the secret gardens of the Temple of the Great Buddha in Kamakura (Kōtoku-in);
- a VIP invitation to the Japan Orfeo reception at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo, 5th October;
- exclusive meetings with the Japan Orfeo cast and performing artists.
Japan Orfeo project website: LEARN MORE
