Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project XXI “La traviata” – A Triumphant Finale
Since its founding in 2000, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. With the final performance of Verdi’s opera “La traviata” held on March 22 in Tokyo, the curtain closed on the ROHM CLASSIC SPECIAL, concluding a remarkable chapter in the Academy’s history. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended and supported this milestone season.
Over the past 25 years, the Academy has presented 21 Opera Projects and 6 Orchestra Projects/Special Concerts. Through auditions held not only in Japan but also across Asia—including China, Taiwan, and South Korea—talented young musicians have been selected to participate. These musicians received intensive training from leading artists, including members of the Saito Kinen Orchestra, in whom Seiji Ozawa has long placed his trust. The results of this training have been brought to life through professional-level opera and orchestral performances.
To date, the Academy has welcomed approximately 2,000 participants, including orchestra members, assistant conductors, chorus singers, and cover cast members. Many of them are now active on the front lines of the music world—some as prize-winning soloists, others as concertmasters or principal players in top orchestras in Japan and abroad. For the past 25 years, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy has fulfilled its mission of nurturing the next generation of leading musicians. This has been made possible thanks to the extraordinary support and encouragement we have received throughout our journey. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported our work over the years.
Looking ahead, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra is scheduled to perform at this summer’s Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, participating in educational programs such as Opera for Children and Concert for Children.
Details on future activities of the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy will be announced in due course.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and encouragement as we move into the next chapter.
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy
Message from Sadao Harada
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Associate Director
Soon after hearing of Ozawa-san’s passing last year in February, rehearsals commenced for “Così fan tutte.” The indescribable sadness of finally losing Seiji Ozawa’s giant presence left a void in my heart. With 20+ years of experience since he launched the educational project, the coaches, staff—everyone understood how to aim for an excellent production, but we struggled to process our feelings of loss. Nevertheless, we worked through this, and when the final curtain fell to enthusiastic applause, we all shared the fruits of our labor, calling to Ozawa-san: “Are you watching? Did you hear us?”
I am not active on social media, but I heard that Ozawa Academy alumni (also of course from Okushiga and the Swiss Academy) around the world of all ages and nationalities were sharing memories and experiences of Ozawa-san and encouraging each other. I realized that this was the world he built after setting out into the world alone on his scooter, and that this was the significance of continuing the Academy all these years.
Over the past year, we have prepared under the theme of how to continue the educational programs, the seeds Ozawa-san planted. I sincerely thank Rohm Music Foundation for their immense support, with which we have continued this project found nowhere else in the world, offering students top-class opera experiences for many years. It is our mission to preserve Ozawa-san’s spirit and passion in this educational vision. I ask for your ongoing support for young people.
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Associate Director
Sadao Harada
Message from Seira Ozawa
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Assisting Director
My father was the greatest giver I knew, always selflessly sharing his energy, time, and feelings with others. Over 60 years ago, he set sail alone on a cargo ship to the West and, through countless trials, gained treasures that he wished to pass on to young musicians. This passion resonated with the passion of the late Mr. Kenichiro Sato (Founder of ROHM Co., Ltd.) for opera, and the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy was born in 2000. Dad was initially considering another name, but Sato-san insisted on naming it the “Seiji Ozawa Music Academy.” Students from all over Asia pass rigorous auditions to experience opera production firsthand, building a single worldview in four weeks. Through a process that won’t be found at a music school or by studying abroad, they gain treasures that form the foundation of their musical careers. With these at heart, over 1,000 alumni are flourishing globally as orchestra leaders and soloists. It moves me how they maintain strong bonds, staying in touch and supporting each other as they set out into the world. They are truly a “musical family,” inheriting the sentiments of my father and SKO members who are the coaches. The immense support of Rohm Music Foundation and ROHM Co., Ltd. enables these miraculous seeds to be sown and blossomed. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their assistance over this quarter-century.
A Korean alumna, now a concertmaster in a European orchestra, recently sent me a touching letter describing how the Academy shaped her. She vowed to promote the Academy’s brilliance in hopes that many young musicians would share the same experience. I was deeply stirred that the giving spirit of my father, the desire to share something particularly because it is wonderful, is alive and being passed on. I ask for your continued kind support of this special place, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy.
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Assisting Director
Seira Ozawa
