A double-bill of Zemlisky's "Eine florentinische Tragödie" and Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" has opened on April 7.

"Eine florentinische Tragödie"

"Gianni Schicchi"

Expansion of repertoire is a major objective of Artistic Director ONO Kazushi. As a first step in this direction, this season he has put together an intriguing double-bill of one-act operas both set in Florence. ZEMLINSKY's Eine florentinische Tragödie (A Florentine Tragedy), with its lush and dazzling sound world, and PUCCINI's comic masterpiece Gianni Schicchi each bring out different aspects of the city's multifaceted charms.

The all-Japanese creative team is lead by AGUNI Jun, one of the most sought-after opera directors in Japan, and the production is conducted by NUMAJIRI Ryusuke, experienced opera conductor and former music director of Theater Lübeck, who has special affinity with late Romantic repertoire. There is also a strong emphasis on Japanese talent in the cast, including SAITO Junko (Bianca), a Europe-based Japanese soprano hand-picked by Artistic Director ONO, and SUNAKAWA Ryoko and MURAKAMI Toshiaki as the young lovers in "Gianni Schicchi". There is much to look forward to from international stars as well, with Sergei LEIFERKUS as the jealous Simone in Eine florentinische Tragödie and Carlos ALVAREZ playing the wily old Schicchi.

Performances until April 17.

For tickets and more info, click here.

Video Clip from the Premiere