The Tokyo Harusai is a month-long festival featuring chamber music, symphony orchestras, opera and more
Is that the sound of a spring quartet? Starting March 18, Tokyo will be hosting a month-long classical music festival – called the Tokyo Harusai – featuring an exciting lineup of symphony orchestras, piano recitals and even opera performances. Because this is one of Japan’s biggest classical music festivals, the event will feature a host of renowned international artists as well as Japan-based musicians.
Highlights include an opening performance featuring famed Italian conductor Riccardo Muti as well as a solo opera by Bryn Terfel, whose performance will be accompanied by the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.
Most of the shows will take place in music venues like the Sumida Triphony Hall, but there is also a special programme of smaller, more intimate performances at several of the city’s biggest art museums. This includes a Johannes Vermeer-inspired performance at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum by soprano singer Ayako Nakura; she will be accompanied by Seiko Nagata on the lute to coincide with the museum’s ongoing Vermeer exhibition.
Despite the long list of distinguished artists, the Tokyo Harusai is surprisingly accessible. There are student-friendly ticket prices (around ¥2,500) for those under 25 years old as well as a host of concerts for kids, so no one is left out.
After a dreadful period of cancelled music events and postponed performances, the Tokyo Harusai is a welcome return of live music festivals – and what better way to ring in the spring than a series of melodic symphonies.
Tokyo Harusai will run from March 18 until April 19 2022. Check the full programme and book your tickets on the event website.