Tokyo 2020 NIPPON Festival Announcement of the Overview for the Host Program "The King of Light" Presented by ENEOS

On January 29, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee announced the highlights and ticket information for the Tokyo 2020 NIPPON Festival program "KABUKI×OPERA 'The King of Light' Presented by ENEOS" (Presenting Partner: JXTG Energy) in Tokyo.
The festival is an official cultural program for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, running from late March to September 2020. Its objectives are to promote Japanese culture domestically and internationally, aim for the realization of an inclusive society, and heighten anticipation for the Games.
This performance, the festival's inaugural program, will be held on April 18 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Shibuya Ward).
The production is based on numerous masterpieces of traditional Kabuki but features a newly created, celebratory narrative befitting an official Tokyo Games event. Kabuki and opera merge, harmonizing across cultural boundaries within the story to express the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. Starring kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo XI, opera soprano Anna Pirozzi, and bass-baritone Erwin Schrott. The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra's majestic orchestral performance is also a highlight.

 

Organizing Committee Deputy Secretary General Masaaki Furumiya stated, "Cultural events held in accordance with the Olympic Charter include 'Host Programs' organized by the Organizing Committee and 'Co-hosted Programs' conducted by local governments. This performance will be the first of four Host Programs. Its catchphrase is 'What is challenge?'. This program represents a challenge in many ways. It offers not only the fusion of Kabuki and opera, but also various other pleasures."

Toshiya Nakahara, Managing Executive Officer of JXTG Energy, took the stage alongside the company's mascot, Enegori-kun, and stated, "This performance, held as the festival's kickoff, represents an attempt to fuse Kabuki and opera. To allow more people to see it, we plan to run a ticket giveaway campaign (50 pairs, 100 people) and also invite people to Kabuki workshops. Together with Enegori-kun, we will energize the NIPPON Festival."

Mr. Ebizo Ichikawa made a surprise appearance at the venue.

Ebizo, who also serves on the Tokyo 2020 Games' Culture and Education Committee, said, "From the Olympic themes of 'Legacy' and 'Diversity and Harmony,' I hope this production will be rooted in the fusion of various cultures. Recently, the climate has become less conducive to taking on challenges in many ways. The catchphrase for this stage is 'What is challenge?' I hope this production becomes a catalyst for 'challenge.' This production will be my final work as Ebizo. I intend to give my all to what I can achieve as Ebizo. Opera and Kabuki share the same era of origin, and in the past, Danzaburo (Ebizo's father) also challenged himself with Opera × Kabuki. I look forward to rehearsals starting in late March. I would be delighted if this challenge leaves a lasting legacy."

Ticket sales will be by lottery from February 14 to 24, followed by general sales from March 7 to 17. Approximately 6,500 seats are planned. Tickets will be sold exclusively through the Ticket Pia website. For inquiries, contact the Ticket Sales Office (0570-78-3202).

Details of the JXTG ticket giveaway campaign will be announced on February 14.