[New National Theatre] Autumn is here, the season of art! The new season finally kicks off with the eternal youth opera “La Bohème”! 》
Agency for Cultural Affairs Press release: September 17, 2025 To Members of the Press [New National Theatre] “Autumn is here, a season of art! The new season finally kicks off with the opera of eternal youth, “La Bohème”! 》 The New National Theatre (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)’s 2025/2026 season will open with the ever-popular opera “La Bohème,” a timeless love story. Set in Paris, “La Bohème” depicts the fleeting love between the poet Rodolfo and Mimi, as well as the impoverished yet free-spirited lives of young artists dreaming of tomorrow’s success. Puccini’s sweet melodies weave an exceptionally romantic tale of youth. Directed by Jun Aguni, the production is both luxurious and delicate, transporting viewers into the streets of Paris. The meticulous psychological portrayal of the young people’s love and loss is a cinematic portrayal that will move you to tears. Under the direction of master conductor Paolo Olmi, the new season kicks off with a selection of exceptional singers, including Marina
Costa-Jackson, acclaimed for her emotional portrayal of the heroine Mimi, Italian opera star Luciano Gancci as her lover Rodolfo, and Haru Ito as the coquettish Musetta.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/laboheme/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-ca0159223e5e9c0f3a99de93cf9b38fd-2880×1913.jpg From “La Bohème” at the New National Theatre. Photo by Chikashi Saegusa A surefire favorite opera! Puccini’s immensely popular “La Bohème,” a timeless drama about youth. Set in 19th-century Paris, “La Bohème” depicts the pure love between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi, as well as the impoverished yet free lives of young artists dreaming of success. Famous as the basis for the musical “Rent,” this story of young people chasing their dreams and cherishing every moment resonates with audiences of all ages.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-c04674427079824ddad354e2836c7173-2880×1920.jpg From “La Bohème” at the New National Theatre. Photo by Chikashi Saegusa. On Christmas Eve in Paris, the poet Rodolfo is working alone when his neighbor Mimi arrives to ask for a lamp. The two instantly fall in love. Young people are enjoying their love life in the Latin Quarter. One snowy day in February, Rodolfo decides to break up with his ill Mimi to save her, but soon she is carried into the attic in a near-death state. The scene in Act 1 where Rodolfo and Mimi meet, capped by the famous arias “Cold Hands” and “Mimi” (My Name Is Mimi), is one of the most beautiful and iconic love scenes in opera. There are countless highlights, including Act 2, which depicts the bustling Latin Quarter in glamorous Paris, the beautiful yet sad quartet of lovers deciding to break up in the pouring snow, and the tear-jerking final scene. Aguni Jun’s delicate direction, with its meticulous psychological portrayal, contrasts the dreams and frustrations of young people, eliciting moving emotions. The lavish setting, with a bird’s-eye view of Paris, is also a highlight.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-23a9f3aea8c2a8917c2319fc804ad6fc-2880×1916.jpg From “La Bohème” at the New National Theatre. Photography: Chikashi Saegusa “La Bohème,” a timeless love story that boasts enduring popularity, is a classic that consistently ranks among favorite operas. Its story of young people living life to the fullest, pursuing their dreams, continues to inspire throughout the ages. Loved worldwide, “La Bohème” is also recommended for first-time operagoers. Beginning the autumn art season, you’re sure to be captivated by the beautiful stage production of “La Bohème,” the opera that kicks off the New National Theatre’s new season. You’ll be captivated by the beautiful stage production of this opera. The hottest opera singers will be gathering at the Opera Palace to kick off the season! Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-b4763f1d20a06efccf2a30d3d06f47bf-1632×2448.jpg Marina Costa-Jackson The heroine, Mimi, will be played by soprano Marina Costa-Jackson, who is known for her delicate and emotional expression and has expanded her range to include dramatic roles, making her New National Theatre debut.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-24668bb4aa56455753789598a9fa6fda-3900×2600.jpg Luciano Ganci Rodolfo will be played by Luciano Gancci, a top tenor with a captivating, brilliant voice. This will be his second appearance at the New National Theatre since his 2011 production of Simon Boccanegra. Gancci recently arrived in Japan this September with the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma for the Italian National Day at the EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, thrilling the Shinehut audience with an opera concert. His lustrous, expressive voice conveys the essence of Italian opera.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-8d98bdd49e69c5c05b12213999373e99-1200×900.jpg From top left: P. Olmi, Atsushi Aguni, M. Costa-Jackson, L. Ganci, M. Cavalletti, Haru Ito, Toshiaki Komada, A. Pellegrini Marcello will be played by Massimo Cavalletti, a talented Italian baritone who has performed at Milan’s La Scala and other venues. Musetta will be played by Haru Ito, who has continued to perform leading bel canto and lyric roles and received rave reviews for his role as Micaela in this year’s New National Theatre production of “Carmen” and as Madama Butterfly in the opera appreciation class for high school students. The conductor will be Italian opera master Paolo Olmi, who will be making a welcome return. Opera “La Bohème” synopsis It’s Christmas Eve in Paris. The poet Rodolfo is working alone in the attic where four young, impoverished artists live. His neighbor, the seamstress Mimi, arrives to ask for a candle. The two instantly fall in love. The painter Marcello also rekindles his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Musetta, and the young people rejoice in their romance. One snowy day in February, Rodolfo, desperately destitute, decides to break up with Mimi, who is suffering from a heart attack. A few months later, Mimi is brought to the attic, near death…
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-9ba81957628af080f87a89aa54f76705-2880×1920.jpg From “La Bohème” at the New National Theatre. Photography: Chikashi Saegusa Opera “La Bohème” Digest Video
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqLA_gMuWao
Opening Opera of the 80th Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival (Reiwa 7) New National Theatre 2025/2026 Opera Season: La Bohème [Performance Schedule] October 1, 2025 (Wed) 6:00 PM / October 4 (Sat) 2:00 PM / October 7 (Tue) 1:00 PM (Private Reservation) / October 9 (Thu) 2:00 PM / October 11 (Sat) 1:00 PM [Venue] New National Theatre Opera Palace [Staff & Cast] Conductor: Paolo Olmi / Director: Jun Aguni / Art Direction: Pasquale Grossi / Cast: Marina Costa-Jackson, Luciano Gancci, Massimo Cavalletti, Haru Ito, Toshiaki Komada, Andrea Pellegrini, Fumihiko Shimura, Masahiko Haru, Shingo Takabatake / Chorus: New National Theatre Chorus, Children’s Chorus: Setagaya Junior Chorus / Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra [Ticket Prices] S: 26,400 yen A: ¥22,000 ・ B: ¥15,400 ・ C: ¥9,900 ・ D: ¥6,600 ・ Z (same-day only): ¥1,650 [Ticket Purchase] New National Theatre Box Office 03-5352-9999 WEB Box Office *Discount tickets for students (5%), juniors (20%), and seniors (5%) are also available at the online box office. *Students receive a 50% discount on same-day tickets at the New National Theatre (excluding seats D and Z). Tickets are available at the box office (at the counter or by phone). [Access] Directly connected to the central exit of Hatsudai Station on the Keio New Line (serving the Toei Shinjuku Line) For more information about the performance and tickets, please visit
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1045/47048-1045-2a1bca731a470bd8fdf23ddba044ab86-2512×982.png New National Theater The New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT), opened in the fall of 1997 as Japan’s only national theatre for the contemporary performing arts of opera, ballet, dance, and theater. It boasts three distinctive theaters: the Opera Palace, the Medium-sized Theater, and the Small Theater. It hosts approximately 250 performances annually. World-renowned conductor Kazushi Ono became the artistic director of the opera department in September 2018. The department presents approximately 10 opera performances annually at a level comparable to that of the world’s major opera houses, and also organizes opera appreciation classes for high school students. Nurturing the next generation of artists is also a major pillar of the NNTT’s program, and the theater offers comprehensive training at its three training centers: opera, ballet, and theater. Location: 1-1-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/ [Customer Inquiries] New National Theatre Box Office: 03-5352-9999 (10:00-18:00)
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