[Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture] The performance is just around the corner! Introducing the highlights of Ojiya City Opera’s “La Bohème”! [Held on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd]
Ojiya City Press release: October 17, 2025 To Members of the Press [Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture] The performance is just around the corner! Introducing the highlights of Ojiya City Opera’s “La Bohème”! [Held on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd] Ojiya City will be performing its third Ojiya Citizens’ Opera, “La Bohème,” on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd. We’ll introduce the highlights of this locally rooted opera, where professional singers and local residents share the same stage and create a collaborative production.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-a3a00c60ca0cd58ab8ec8b3ab9c72e92-1909×2700.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-fed3014eaa607c3c9c38ee7bb134e9bd-2449×1632.jpg “The Elixir of Love” (filmed in 2018)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-a7bb29f5076d97d6456358e8e7a7bffb-3900×2600.jpg “Carmen” (filmed in 2022) Ojiya Civic Opera is a community-based opera co-created by a group led by opera singer Hiroki Shinada, a native of Ojiya City, and the Ojiya Civic Opera Chorus. Ojiya City has held two community operas in the past. In 2018, “L’elisir d’amore” was performed at the newly renovated Ojiya Civic Hall, and in 2022, “Carmen” was performed in Japan’s first outdoor bullring. The opera was introduced internationally on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website’s “Glocal Diplomacy Network.” Three years after “Carmen,” this year Ojiya City will be performing “La Bohème” at the Ojiya Civic Hall. “La Bohème” is an opera composed by G. Puccini set in 19th century Paris, depicting the fleeting love between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi, as well as the impoverished yet free lives of young artists dreaming of tomorrow’s success. This time, the setting has shifted from “19th century Paris, France” to “Ojiya during the Meiji and Taisho eras,” and we present an original version
incorporating the traditions and culture of Ojiya City. Highlights of the Performance 1 | Opera directed for the first time by
world-renowned tenor Yasuharu Nakajima
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-9b5ef1580a459949f9174b1a9854df51-2160×2700.jpg Yasuharu Nakajima This Ojiya City Opera will be the first opera directed by world-renowned tenor Yasuharu Nakajima. Nakajima has previously appeared in “La Bohème” at La Scala in Milan. This Ojiya version of “La Bohème” marks the first time Nakajima has directed such elaborate productions. 2 | A cast of leading figures in the Japanese opera world gathers together
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-384bf17942398c55409c5470939c8c9e-2328×952.jpg Cast Introduction For the upcoming performance, Shinada Hiroki held auditions in Tokyo, receiving 61 applicants for the six main roles, far exceeding his expectations. Shinada took this result as proof that many singers wanted to sing in Ojiya, and decided to hold two performances (double cast) as a token of gratitude and respect for those who auditioned. Enjoy “La Bohème,” featuring a selection of Japan’s finest opera singers, with different casts on two days. 3 | Enjoy Ojiya City in one day with this model sightseeing itinerary! (Only on November 2nd)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-4cf95ee32b7e90a5e6648154f091b760-1869×2700.jpg Citizens’ Opera “La Bohème” and Bullring Shuttle Bus Sightseeing Itinerary (November 2nd Only) On November 2nd, the second day of the performance, a free shuttle bus will be operating between Ojiya Bullring and the City Opera venue to coincide with the “Bull Horn Thrust” event, which has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. We’ve also prepared a model sightseeing itinerary that will allow you to experience Ojiya’s attractions beyond the opera. If you’d like to see both bullfighting and opera, or if you’d like to experience as much of Ojiya as possible in one day, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. Click here for details on the special bus service Ojiya City Opera Chorus performs on the same stage as professionals
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-881e59f9ff6e8ca441d8df6fb99c5283-3900×2600.jpg Practice scene (in the foreground on the right is Hiroki Shinada, founder of Ojiya Citizens Opera)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/147972/48/147972-48-06f485f6e67122916fee672ae6cf6e36-3900×2600.jpg Practice scene (discussing the performance with local residents) The Ojiya Civic Opera Chorus is not a permanent organization; rather, it is made up of members who apply for each opera performance. For the first production of “The Elixir of Love,” there were just over 30 members. This February, however, a total of 40 people participated, including five elementary school students, five junior high school students, two high school students, and 28 adults. The choir is preparing for the performance with joint practice sessions twice a month and independent practice sessions. Please keep an eye on the choir members’ steady growth as they overcome challenges such as Italian lyrics and singing while acting. The Ojiya City website’s “Citizens’ Opera News” section contains details of the choir’s past efforts and an “Opera Q&A to help you enjoy opera even more.” Please take a look. Click here for Civic Opera NEWS Tickets on sale now! Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss Ojiya City Opera’s “La Bohème,” packed with fascinating experiences you won’t find anywhere else. 3rd Citizen Opera “La Bohème” Performance/Ticket Information Date and time Saturday, November 1st | Doors open at 1:15 p.m., show starts at 2:00 p.m., closes at 4:40 p.m. Sunday, November 2nd | Doors open at 3:15 PM, show begins at 4 PM, ends at 6:40 PM Venue |Ojiya Civic Hall Large Hall Ticket Prices ▷Adults: 5,000 (5,500) yen ▷Junior high and high school students: 2,000 (2,500) yen ▷Elementary school students: 1,000 (1,500) yen *All seats reserved. (Prices in parentheses are for same-day tickets.) Ticket Sales Locations ▷ Ojiya Civic Hall (Tickets sold at the counter only, same-day tickets available) ▷ Seven Tickets (Available for purchase until October 31st, Seven Code: 111-283) 【Caution】 ▶Seat reservations are not available when purchasing tickets at 7-Eleven stores. ▶Tickets once reserved or purchased cannot be canceled or changed. Click here for Seven Tickets Click here for the Civic Opera special website Ojiya City Culture and Sports Division, Lifelong Learning Section Contact: Taniguchi/Shinbo TEL: 0258-82-9111 Email: bunkasports-sg@city.ojiya.niigata.jp For more information about this release
