Naoto Otomo x Tokyo Academy Chorus, Reunited After 31 Years: Verdi's 'Requiem' Carrying on the Legacy of Kazuyoshi Akiyama

The '71st Regular Concert Verdi's Requiem' will be performed on Monday, September 21, 2026 (National Holiday), at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall (3F Tokyo Opera City, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo).

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Naoto Otomo x Tokyo Academy Chorus

Taking on Verdi's 'Requiem' in their first co-performance in 31 years

- The second installment of the project tackling three masterpieces left to the chorus by the late Kazuyoshi Akiyama -

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■ Naoto Otomo takes over the project left by Kazuyoshi Akiyama

The late conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama, who guided the Tokyo Academy Chorus for many years and passed away suddenly last year, had planned to perform three masterpieces: Brahms's 'German Requiem', Verdi's 'Requiem', and Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis'. Akiyama planned to perform these with the chorus over three years, but he was unable to take the podium himself. The chorus has inherited his wishes and is moving forward to complete the performance of all three works. This concert is the second installment.

■ Naoto Otomo returns to the Tokyo Academy Chorus after 31 years

Otomo studied under Akiyama at the Toho Gakuen School of Music and was also involved in instructing the Tokyo Academy Chorus as an assistant at the time. The experience of creating large-scale works such as Bernstein's 'Kaddish' and Orff's 'Carmina Burana' together under Otomo's baton remains a vivid memory for the chorus. Responding to the chorus's strong desire to entrust him with Verdi's 'Requiem', which Akiyama was scheduled to conduct, Otomo will appear at the chorus's regular concert for the first time in 31 years.

■ Talented soloists with deep ties to Akiyama

Furthermore, the soloists taking on important roles in this Verdi work are singers who have performed numerous times with the late Akiyama and the Tokyo Academy Chorus. It is expected that these talented and familiar artists will gather to deeply and densely depict the worldview of the work.

■ Verdi's 'Requiem' - Human 'Death and Destiny' depicted by an opera composer

'Requiem', in which opera composer Verdi dramatically depicted human death and destiny. The raging 'Dies Irae' surges repeatedly, and the music of prayer quietly responds to it. We invite you to experience this masterpiece, which combines the power of opera while being a religious piece, directly at the venue.

Performer Profiles

Naoto Otomo (Conductor)

Since making his debut conducting the NHK Symphony Orchestra at the age of 22 while studying at Toho Gakuen, he has been one of Japan's leading conductors, continuing to lead the Japanese music scene. He has served as Principal Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic, Exclusive Conductor of the Osaka Philharmonic, Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Permanent Conductor of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Gunma Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he is the Honorary Guest Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Laureate of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Ryukyu Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Takasaki City Theatre, and Music Advisor of the Seto Philharmonic Orchestra.

As the first Music Director of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, he laid the foundation for the Tokyo Music Competition and successfully led numerous self-produced projects. He is frequently invited as a guest conductor by overseas orchestras, and has been regularly invited to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years since the former Honolulu Symphony era. He also served as the conductor for the Philharmonia Orchestra's Japan tour. Known for his wide repertoire, notable examples include the premieres of works by leading Japanese composers, works by James MacMillan, and the Japan premiere of John Adams's opera. He studied under Seiji Ozawa, Tadashi Mori, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Tadaaki Otaka, and Morihiro Okabe. During his time as a conducting fellow at the NHK Symphony Orchestra, he studied under Sawallisch, Wand, Leitner, Blomstedt, and Stein, and received guidance from Bernstein, Previn, and Markevitch at the Tanglewood Music Center.

Professor at Osaka University of Arts, Specially Appointed Professor at Toho College of Music. Guest Professor at Kyoto City University of Arts and Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

Saki Nakae (Soprano)

Born in Hokkaido. Graduated from the Vocal Music Major, Music Course, Art Curriculum, Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa Campus. Completed the Master's Program in Vocal Music (Solo Singing) and the Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts.

While in school, she researched the songs of Hanns Eisler and received the Graduate School Acanthus Award and the Mitsubishi Estate Award. 2nd Prize in the Vocal Division of the 14th Japan Mozart Music Competition. Finalist in the Opera Division of the 78th Music Competition of Japan. Grand Prize at the 12th Yoshinao Nakada Memorial Competition. 1st Prize in the Vocal Division of the 25th Himes Music Competition. 1st Prize at the 3rd Juilliard School Competition. Received the Asahikawa City Newcomer Music Award and the 27th Dogin Arts and Culture Encouragement Award.

She has performed with numerous orchestras and conductors both domestically and internationally. Her repertoire ranges from religious music to opera and contemporary music, and she is also involved as a vocalist in many works such as dramas and game music. Her first live recording CD, singing Mozart's concert arias with the Orchestra Libera Classica conducted by Hidemi Suzuki, was selected as a special edition. Vocal member of the Bach Collegium Japan.

She is also active as a Hometown Support Ambassador for Takasu Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido, continuing to promote the charm of music and her hometown Takasu Town through music.

Part-time lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

Akiko Yachiune (Alto)

Graduated from the Music Course, Arts and Culture Curriculum, Faculty of Education, Iwate University. Completed the Doctoral Program in Solo Singing at the Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts.

Obtained a Doctor of Music degree for her research on the songs of Johannes Brahms. 1st Prize at the 16th Japanese-French Vocal Competition. Received the 2012 Mitsubishi Estate Award. Served as alto soloist in the 57th Geidai Messiah, the 28th Taito Ward Beethoven's 9th, the 349th Geidai Chorus Regular Concert Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis', and as Mistress Quickly in the 54th Geidai Regular Opera 'Falstaff'.

To date, she has appeared as an alto soloist in J.S. Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio', 'Mass in B minor', 'St. Matthew Passion', 'St. John Passion', Handel's 'Messiah', Mozart's, Verdi's, Dvorak's, and Durufle's 'Requiem', Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 9', 'Missa Solemnis', Schubert's 'Mass No. 5', 'Mass No. 6', Mendelssohn's 'St. Paul', 'Elijah', Dvorak's 'Stabat Mater', Mahler's 'Symphony No. 2', 'Symphony No. 3', 'Symphony No. 8', etc.

Part-time lecturer at Iwate University, Morioka University Junior College, and Morioka Medical College.

Naoki Miyasato (Tenor)

Graduated top of his class from Tokyo University of the Arts. Received the Acanthus Award and the Doseikai Award upon graduation. After completing graduate school, he studied at the Opera Department of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

2nd Prize at the 23rd Riccardo Zandonai Competition. 1st Prize, Kiyoshi Igarashi Award, and Song Award at the 48th Japanese-Italian Vocal Competition. 2nd Prize (no 1st prize) and Audience Award in the Vocal Division of the 10th Tokyo Music Competition. Received the 34th Idemitsu Music Award. Received the 10th Gratia Music Award.

In opera, he has performed at the New National Theatre, Nissay Theatre, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Hyogo Performing Arts Center, Tokyo Nikikai, etc., in roles such as Don Ottavio in 'Don Giovanni', Nemorino in 'L'elisir d'amore', Edgardo in 'Lucia di Lammermoor', Alfredo in 'La Traviata', Riccardo in 'Un ballo in maschera', Fenton in 'Falstaff', Rodolfo in 'La Boheme', Cavaradossi in 'Tosca', Pinkerton in 'Madama Butterfly', the Italian Singer in 'Der Rosenkavalier', and Bacchus in 'Ariadne auf Naxos', receiving high acclaim.

In concerts, he has performed numerous times with major domestic and international orchestras, earning high praise in works such as Beethoven's 'Ninth', Rossini's 'Stabat Mater', Verdi's 'Requiem', Mahler's 'Symphony No. 8', and 'Das Lied von der Erde'.

Kenichi Kano (Bass)

Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music. Completed the Master's Program in Vocal Music at the same graduate school at the top of his class. Completed the Nikikai Opera Studio.

Received the Encouragement Award at the 9th Fujisawa Opera Competition. Has appeared in numerous productions including Baron Ochs in Nikikai's 'Der Rosenkavalier' (Aichi performance), Oroveso in 'Norma', Pistola in 'Falstaff', the Grand Inquisitor in 'Don Carlo', Hermann in 'Tannhauser', Barak's brother in 'Die Frau ohne Schatten', Bartolo in Seiji Ozawa Music Academy's 'The Marriage of Figaro', a Brabantian Noble in Tokyo Spring Festival's 'Lohengrin', Capellio in Nissay Theatre's 'I Capuleti e i Montecchi', and Second Soldier in Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's 'Salome'.

In recent years, he has also been well-received as Titurel in the 2025 Tokyo Spring Festival Children's Wagner 'Parsifal', Rene in Nikikai's 'The Nutcracker / Iolanta', and Schigolch in 'Lulu'. As a concert soloist, he has appeared in Beethoven's 'Ninth' conducted by Seiji Ozawa at the completion ceremony of ROHM Theatre Kyoto, 'Coronation Mass' with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kazushi Ono at the Salad Music Festival, as well as Mozart's 'Requiem' and Dvorak's 'Stabat Mater'. He is scheduled to appear as the Evil Spirit/Mephistopheles/Pater Profundus in Nikikai's 'Scenes from Goethe's Faust' in December 2025, Colline in Nikikai's 'La Boheme' in January 2026, and in the New National Theatre's 'Salome'. Member of Nikikai.

Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra

Established in 1975. Currently, it has Ken Takaseki as Principal Conductor and Sachio Fujioka as Principal Guest Conductor. With over 100 performances a year, its activities range from regular concerts to opera, ballet, television appearances, CD recordings, and music appreciation classes. Since 1994, it has formed an artistic partnership with Koto Ward, Tokyo, and with Tiara Koto as its main base, it conducts a wide range of activities aimed at promoting music culture rooted in the community, including Tiara Koto regular concerts, various other concerts, public rehearsals, public instrument lessons, and outreach activities to elementary schools in the ward. In April 2015, celebrating the orchestra's 40th anniversary, Ken Takaseki assumed the position of the 4th Principal Conductor. In May 2021, a special highlight concert of 'Der Ring des Nibelungen' (concert style) was held to commemorate the 80th birthday of Conductor Laureate Taijiro Iimori. Despite being held during the COVID-19 pandemic, it invited the world's top Wagner singers from overseas and achieved great success, winning the 30th Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Music Award in August 2022. Approaching its 50th anniversary in April 2025, it is an orchestra from which further success is highly anticipated.

Mineko Kimura (Chorus Conductor)

Graduated from Tokyo College of Music with a major in piano. While working as a specialized music teacher at a public school, she actively performed, holding piano recitals and becoming a finalist in an international piano competition in France. She then aimed to become a conductor and entered the Conducting Institute attached to Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. As a master class research student, she studied at the college's orchestra and opera concerts. She studied conducting under Kazuyoshi Akiyama. Debuted in 2005 conducting the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

Received a diploma at the International Music Academy Conducting Master Course held in Italy in 2006.

In 2012, she conducted Mozart's 'Requiem' at a joint Japan-US charity concert supporting the Great East Japan Earthquake at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2018, she conducted Karl Jenkins's 'The Armed Man' at a Japan-Italy friendship charity concert in Mantua, Italy, which was well received. In addition to orchestras, she is widely active as a conductor for choirs and operas. Lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and Tamagawa University. Member of the Japan Federation of Musicians.

Tokyo Academy Chorus

An amateur chorus formed by 134 volunteers in September 1964. From 1967 to 2024, they were guided by Mr. Kazuyoshi Akiyama as Permanent Conductor and Music Director. The approximately 130 members consist of diverse people including students, working adults, and those who have studied music professionally, and all operations are handled by the members themselves. The members also narrow down the candidates for song selection and decide in consultation with the conductor. Since their first performance of Handel's 'Messiah', they have sung masterpieces of all ages, from Baroque and Classical to contemporary works like Lloyd Webber's 'Requiem', together with professional orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and Tokyo City Philharmonic. Also, since their 10th anniversary in 1974, they have made it a rule to sing J.S. Bach's 'St. Matthew Passion' every 10 years, and were able to sing it again for their 60th anniversary in 2024.

For daily practice, they ask excellent professionals for guidance: 3 chorus conductors, 4 piano accompanists, and 4 vocal instructors.

With the motto 'A heart that loves music, the joy of creating music', they continue to strive every day to perform choral music at the highest level.

Event Overview

Tokyo Academy Chorus 71st Regular Concert Verdi's 'Requiem'

To be held at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall!

'71st Regular Concert Verdi's Requiem'

Performance Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 (National Holiday)

Venue: Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall (3F Tokyo Opera City, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)

■ Performers

Conductor: Naoto Otomo

Soloists: Saki Nakae, Akiko Yachiune, Naoki Miyasato, Kenichi Kano

Orchestra: Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra

Chorus Conductor: Mineko Kimura

Chorus: Tokyo Academy Chorus

■ Performance Schedule

Monday, September 21, 2026 (National Holiday) 16:00

*Doors open 45 minutes before the performance starts

■ Ticket Prices

S Ticket: 6,000 yen

A Ticket: 5,000 yen

B Ticket: 4,000 yen

C Ticket: 3,000 yen

(All seats reserved, tax included)

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