We just released our list of recommended theater plays, contemporary dance shows, ballets, and so on, for the months of July, August and September 2026.
This is a first draft, and it will get richer as new programs are publicized – stay tuned.
Category: Opera
Categories
Gracia Hosokawa, a path of light
An oratorio in commemoration of Gracia Hosokawa, from the noble Akechi family of Kumamoto, and whose father killed Oda Nobunaga in 1582, will be performed for the first time in Tokyo on May 10, 2026. Titled A path of light, the love of Gracia Hosokawa, this graceful and deep works, composed by Minako Tokuyama in 2025 and still in the creative process, was first played in Kumamoto last year, in remembrance of the 2015 earthquake. Written in Japanese, supported by solists and a choir, it highlights the destiny of a Christian convert at the end of the 16th century. It is a rare instance of religious based Japanese contemporary music, in the form of an oratorio with great melodic lines, written and sung in Japanese.
Categories
Madama Butterfly
The New National Theater Tokyo will produce the famous opera from Puccini, set up in Nagasaki during the Meiji era, with the remarkable Atsuko Kobayashi as lead role, from May 14 to May 24.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/madamabutterfly.html
Categories
Carmen again
The New National Theatre of Tokyo will also present the famous opera by Bizet, in French, with English and Japanese subtitles, from February 26 to March 8. If you missed the other production of the month, you can catch up. As per NNTT opera, it is a bit expensive, but offers a great international casting.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/carmen.html
Categories
Carmen
In the framework of the Capital Citizens Festival, Tomin Fes, the famous opera will be performed from Feb 20 to Feb 24, sung in French, of course, with English and Japanese subtitles. Supported by the Tokyo Nikikai Opera foundation, it will feature the NHK Children choir as well as the Yomiuru symphonic orchestra.
https://tomin-fes.com/pdf/opera03.pdf?20241024
NNTT presents from Jan.19 to Feb.1st, 2025, the Flying Dutchman with Japanese AND English subtitles. A great opportunity to review this classic from Wagner, and understand the plot to its full extent. Easy booking for English speakers, and relatively reasonable prices for the New National Theatre, Tokyo.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/derfliegendehollander.html