"wonderfully and meticulously crafted"
Schmopera
**WINNER OF 19th Keizo Saji Prize 2019**
第19回（2019年度）佐治敬三賞は「THE 鍵 KEY」に決定
An award-winning, site-specific opera by composer/director Francesca Le Lohé, inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s novel “The Key”. Told through an exciting combination of Japanese and Western art forms, audiences are invited to peer into the private lives of a complex family.A new Anglo-Japanese dramatic musical work inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s ‘The Key’ (1956)
A new Anglo-Japanese dramatic musical work inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s ‘The Key’ (1956)
Composed and directed by Francesca Le Lohé with production support and dramaturgy by Whole Hog Theatre
Nakacho House Tokyo 2018・Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier Tokyo 2019・Tête a Tête: The Opera Festival 2019
Composed and directed by Francesca Le Lohé with production support and dramaturgy by Whole Hog Theatre
Nakacho House Tokyo 2018・Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier Tokyo 2019・Tête a Tête: The Opera Festival 2019
https://thekeyopera.com/about/
Juxtaposing constructions of "The West" and "Japanese tradition", Tanizaki's work is known for shocking erotic worlds and a search for cultural identity. Francesca Le Lohé’s adaptation explores his themes through music and dance, using both Western and Japanese instruments.
The story unfolds through highly personal diary entries of the central married couple, both of whom believe the other will secretly read what they have written.This site-specific promenade piece sees four trios performing simultaneously in separate rooms of a house. Moving freely, the audience organically and voyeuristically discover the secret lives of the characters.
The 2019 Tokyo performances of「THE鍵KEY」at Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier has been awarded the "19th Keizo Saji Prize" by The Suntory Foundation for the Arts! This annual prize is to a high-quality, challenging, and reaction-provoking music-based public performances held in Japan. For more information please see the press release.
The story unfolds through highly personal diary entries of the central married couple, both of whom believe the other will secretly read what they have written.This site-specific promenade piece sees four trios performing simultaneously in separate rooms of a house. Moving freely, the audience organically and voyeuristically discover the secret lives of the characters.
The 2019 Tokyo performances of「THE鍵KEY」at Denchu Hirakushi House and Atelier has been awarded the "19th Keizo Saji Prize" by The Suntory Foundation for the Arts! This annual prize is to a high-quality, challenging, and reaction-provoking music-based public performances held in Japan. For more information please see the press release.
Tokyo 2019
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Cast & CrewThe Husband Trio:
Takashi Matsudaira (baritone/actor), Jin Rei (shakuhachi) and Yukiko Siina (double bass) The Wife Trio: Akane Kudo (soprano/actress), Atsumi Kojima (sho) and Yuri Kubota (cello) The Daughter Trio: Yu Igarashi (mezzo-soprano/actress), Mikako Ogawa (kotsutsumi and shimedaiko: Japanese percussion) and Kyouju Hiyakawa (violin) Kimura, The Lover Trio: Rikki Metsugi (dancer/actor), Kumiko Shuto (Biwa) and Hiroko Miyake (clarinet) Director/Composer: Francesca Le Lohé
Producer: Naoya Yamashita Venue Director: Takeshi Yoshida Choreography: Kae Ishimoto Dramaturg: Alexandra Rutter Production partner: Whole Hog Theatre |
Tête a Tête London 2019 |
Cast and Crew |
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10 Tollgate Drive, SE21 7LS Collaborating with UK-based performers and staged in a British architect's private residence, the world of THE鍵KEY shall expand as we explore new possibilities and further explore the Western themes and influences inherent in this Anglo-Japanese work. An official event of the Japan-UK Season of Culture in collaboration with Southbank Sinfonia and Whole Hog Theatre. Produced by The Kagi Project in partnership with Japan Foundation, Azuki Foundation/Mu Arts and Powell Tuck Associates Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Arts Council England, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and RWV Trust. See full London performance here |
The Husband Trio
The husband: Hiroshi Amako (tenor) Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute): Clive Bell Double bass: Mark Lipski The Wife Trio The wife: Akane Kudo (soprano) Sho (Japanese mouth organ): Naomi Sato Cello: Idlir Shyti The Daughter Trio The daughter: Akari Mochizuki (mezzo-soprano) Shimedaiko (Japanese percussion): Akinori Fujimoto Violin: Joana Ly Kimura: Shouzo Ayaka (dancer) Crew Composer and director: Francesca Le Lohé Dramaturg: Alexandra Rutter (Whole Hog Theatre) Choreographer: Kae Ishimoto Executive producer (UK): Akiko Yanagisawa (Mu arts/Azuki Foundation) Producer (Japan): Naoya Yamashita Production assistants: Fiona Allison and Joanna Pidcock In collaboration with Asia Grzybowska Venue courtesy of Angus Shepherd and his family |
"an inspired synergy between words, music, visual and space"
Opera Magazine
