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CARNEGIE HALL DEBUT! "Maestro Hirai made a remarkable Carnegie Hall debut in front of an audience of about 3,000 people who recognized his outstanding job with the New York Festival Orchestra."                    

- New York Cultural Examiner  -

Concerts

~Let's Celebrate NYFO's Exciting Season!!~

New York Festival Orchestra (NYFO) will present an exciting series of concerts with everyone's favorite masterworks by great composers as well as unique repertoire.  It would be our great pleasure to have you at our concerts. 

Postponed until autumn, 2020 due to COVID-19.
Hideaki Hirai_conductor_05_Photo(c) Teru

Hideaki Hirai, Music Director/ Conductor

 

OPERA, "THE WHITE FOX"  Showcase

                    < U. S. premiere>

Monday, April 6, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center

129 West 67th Street (Betw, B’way & Amsterdam)

New York, NY 10023

<Program>

 

Hideaki Hirai:  Opera,"THE WHITE FOX" (in 3 Acts/Japanese)

                             - U. S. premiere 

 

Original Libretto: Tenshin (Kakuzo) OKAKURA

Japanese Translation, Libretto and Music: Hideaki HIRAI

Conductor/Stage Director: Hideaki HIRAI

Stage Art: Atsuki SETTANGELI

Sword Fight Director/Choreographer: Kyo KASUMI

Ballet Choreographer: Akiko MAKINO

CAST:

Kuzunoha/Kolha:                    Asako TAMURA, Soprano

Yasuna:                                     Takumi YOGI, Tenor

Ackeimon:                                 Takaki KURIHARA, Baritone

Damsel/Fox Maiden/Pilgrim: Motomi TANAKA, Soprano

Huntsman/Soldier/Pilgrim:    Kohei YOKOYAMA, Baritone

Supporting Actors:                   Master Kyo KASUMI,

                Taiju NAKANE and Norihiro MARUTA

Chorus:     New York Festival Chorus & Children's Chorus,

                  Members from Circle Wind Boys & Girls Choir

Ballet:        A Little White Fox Ballet

Orchestra: New York Festival Orchestra

Produced by New York Festival Orchestra and ARIOSO LLC
Presented by BV Artists International (New York)

 

Supported by Robert Crowder Foundation, Y.K. Transasset, Sengokudama, Atelier73, Circle Wind Boys & Girls Choir, Hideaki Hirai Opera Chorus, TATE Hatoryu NY, Ibaraki Prefectural People's Opera Association, Myoko Byakko Club Chorus, Myoko City Board of Education, Myoko Cultural Promotion Agency and many other corporate/individual supporters.

Asako Tamura, Soprano

 

"...Her voice is brilliant jewel of the voice..."

by Graeme Kay (British writer/broadcaster)

Tickets: $35

Available at: 

Box Office: 212-501-3330

www.MerkinHall.org

NYFO Office: 718- 232-3712

E-mail: info@NYFO.org

WhiteFoxPainting_03.jpg

The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, will present the U. S. premiere of the OPERA, "THE WHITE FOX" . 

The Opera, “The White Fox” is based on the original English libretto by a legendary Japanese scholar TENSHIN OKAKURA (1863-1913), widely-known for his best-seller, “THE BOOK OF TEA”, published in 1906 (New York).

 

In 2013, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Okakura's death, Maestro Hideaki Hirai successfully completed as an Opera in 3 acts with Japanese translation, libretto and music.

The U.S. premiere of the entire opera will be held at MERKIN HALL of Kaufman Art Center, in collaboration with astonishing Atsuki Settangeli’s paintings as stage art.

NYFO is proud to present our Music Director, Hideaki Hirai's own acclaimed Opera, "The White Fox", featuring an internationally acclaimed Japanese Soprano, Asako Tamura, who appeared as soloist with the Three Tenors- Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras, 4 other brilliant soloists from Italy, New York and Tokyo as well as an award-winning stellar "Tate" Sword master, Kyo Kasumi, New York Festival Chorus & Children's Chorus, Members from Circle Wind Boys & Girls Choir and  A Little White Fox Ballet.

It will absolutely be  an unforgettable operatic evening not to be missed!

"The White Fox" by Atsuki Settangeli, Painter

 

Photo © Terufumi Ueno

 

Hideaki Hirai_conductor_05_Photo(c) Teru

Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor

 

A Special Gala Concert

~OPERA WHITE FOX Preview

Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Good Shepherd - Faith Presbyterian Church

152 W 66th Street

New York, NY 10023

(212) 877-0685

New York Festival Orchestra

Conductor: Hideaki Hirai

Special Guests: Asako Tamura, Soprano

                           Atsuki Settangeli, Painter

~An EXHIBITION of "THE WHITE FOX" & "SAMURAI SPIRITS"

<Program>

Handel: "Largo" from "SERSE" (Arr. by H.Hirai)

Handel: Aria, "Lascia ch'io pianga" from "RINALDO"

Ave Maria Selections

by Bach~Gounod, Caccini, Schubert and H. Hirai* 

                                                            

Bach: "Air on the G string" 

Elgar: Serenade for Strings                                                                           

Respighi: Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3: Siciliana, Passacaglia 

Hideaki Hirai:  Aria, "Kolha's Lullaby",  Aria, "Song of the Moon" 

                         from the Opera,"THE WHITE FOX" (in 3 Acts/Japanese)

                             - NY premiere 

Seiji Kameda:  "For The Future" (Arr. by H. Hirai)  - NY premiere

Takeichiro Hirai: A Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes                              

 

*Dedicated to Pope Francis in 2017     

This preview concert is supported by WhiteBox Harlem, its board members, friends, and Kyoko Sato.      

Photo © Terufumi Ueno

 

Asako Tamura, soprano

 

"...Her voice is brilliant jewel of the voice..."

by Graeme Kay (British writer/broadcaster)

WhiteFoxPainting_03_600dpi.jpg

"The White Fox" by Atsuki Settangeli, painter

 

Tickets: $20

Available online at:  nyfo_062019.eventbrite.com (or at the door)

NYFO Office: Tel. +1-347-587-7174

E-mail: info@NYFO.org

 

 

The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, will present a special gala concert ~ OPERA "THE WHITE FOX" Preview. A special program features works by J. S. Bach, Caccini, Elgar, Gounod, Händel, Takeichiro Hirai, Respighi, Schubert as well as the U. S premieres of 2 representing arias from Hideaki Hirai’s acclaimed Opera, “The White Fox” with 2 special guest artists, Asako Tamura (Soprano) and Atsuki Settangeli (Painter). 

 

The Opera, “The White Fox” is based on the original English libretto by a legendary Japanese scholar TENSHIN OKAKURA (1863-1913), widely-known for his best-seller, “BOOK OF TEA”, published in 1906 (New York) and Maestro Hideaki Hirai successfully completed as an Opera in 3 acts in 2013 with Japanese translation / libretto and music. The NY / U.S. premiere of the entire opera will be held at WhiteBox Art Center, curated by Kyoko Sato, as a part of “PERFORMA Biennale 19” in November, 2019 (details to be announced) in collaboration with Settangeli’s paintings as stage art.

 

NYFO is proud to present “4 Ave Maria Selections”, including Hideaki Hirai's own, which was dedicated to Pope Francis and to the City of Vatican in 2017, as well as the U. S. premiere of the song, “For The Future” (Soprano Solo version) originally written for the world-famous English boys’ choir LIBERA by an award-winning Japanese music producer, Seiji Kameda, sung by an internationally acclaimed Japanese Soprano, Asako Tamura, who appeared as soloist with the Three Tenors- Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras - in the 2002 World Cup Championship performance in Yokohama.

 

On June 1 and 2, Seiji Kameda will serve as Executive Producer of the newly-launching HIBIYA MUSIC FESTIVAL (www.hibiyamusicfes.jp/en/) at the so-called, CENTRAL PARK OF TOKYO, HIBIYA PARK. Hideaki Hirai will also present his own Opera, “KAGUYA-HIME” (Princess from the Moon) at the Festival.

Photo © Terufumi Ueno

 

Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor

 

Spring Celebration

Friday, May 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Good Shepherd - Faith Presbyterian Church

152 W 66th Street

New York, NY 10023

(212) 877-0685

New York Festival Orchestra

New York Festival Chorus

Conductor: Hideaki Hirai

<Program>

 

W. A. Mozart: Divertimento in D major, K. 136                

Kozaburo Hirai: Fantasy for Strings  - NY premiere         

J. Haydn: Symphony No. 49 in f minor, "La Passione"     

G. F. Handel: Largo                                                             

Hideaki Hirai: Ave Maria                         

     - Dedicated to Pope Francis in October, 2017 -

 

<<CELEBRATED JAPANESE SONGS>>

Rentaro Taki: Hana                                                             

Teiichi Okano: Furusato                                               

      

A choral medley, "Haru-no-Shirabe" (Spring Melodies)

          Arr. by Hideaki Hirai

A choral medley, "Uta-no-Hanazono (Flower garden of Songs)" Vol. 1

          Arr. by Kozaburo Hirai

     -  In celebration of 100th Anniversary of Japanese children's songs -

Photo © Terufumi Ueno

 

Tickets: $20

Available online at:  http://ur0.link/JCmq

NYFO Office: Tel. +1-347-587-7174

E-mail: info@NYFO.org

 

 

Early Summer Celebration

 New Artist Showcase Vol. 2

 

Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Good Shepherd - Faith Presbyterian Church

152 W 66th Street

New York, NY 10023

(212) 877-0685

 

New York Festival Orchestra

Conductor: Hideaki Hirai

Soloists:  Hina Khuong-Huu (violin)

                Fiona Khuong-Huu (violin)

 

<Program>

W. A. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik                                               

J. S. Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043              

Hampson Sisler*: Millennials’ Tribute To Strings - World premiere      

                *NYFO Composer-in-Residence for 2015-2017 season

Sibelius: Andante festivo                                                                     

Edward Grieg: Holberg Suite                                                              

Takeichiro Hirai: Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes - NY premiere                     


 

Tickets: $20

Available online at: https://nyfo2017.eventbrite.com 

NYFO Office: Tel. 347-587-7174

E-mail: info@NYFO.org

 

 

Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor

 

Hina Khuong-Huu    Fiona Khuong-Huu 

Hampson Sisler

The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, will present  "Early Summer Celebration," highlighting repertoire for string orchestra by Bach, Mozart, Grieg, and Sibelius, along with Hampson Sisler's Millennials' Tribute to Strings (World Premiere) and Takeichiro Hirai's Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes (New York Premiere). 

 

Guest violinists for the Bach Double Concerto are violin prodigies Fiona and Hina Khuong-Huu, ages 10 and 12.  

Hampson Sisler is NYFO's Composer-in-Residence for 2015-2017.  The prolific composer/organist will premiere his Millennials' Tribute to Strings.  The program will also see the NY Premiere of Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes by Takeichiro Hirai, a noted cellist whom Pablo Casals designated as his successor.

The Orchestra is proud to present remarkable young violinists Fiona (10 years old) and Hina (12 years old) Khuong-Huu, playing Bach's Double Concerto for Two Violins.  The New York City-born sisters have already won top prizes in the International Grumiaux Competition for Young Violinists in Brussels, and the Osaka International Music Competition.

Hampson Sisler is one of the most prolific American classical composers living today who was recently named "one of the significant composers of contemporary America" by The Organ Magazine, London. His first works were published at age nineteen starting with the H.W.Gray Co. and going on, with time, to Jos. Fischer & Co., Belwin Mills, World Library, Laurendale and Morning Star.

 

He has written more than one hundred works for solo instruments, organ, voice, choir and orchestra. His works have been performed and recorded world-wide with leading orchestras in his native United States as well as Argentina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Israel, Philippines, Portugal, Russia and the Ukraine, etc. The majority of his orchestral works have been recorded on the MSR Classics label.

 

 

Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami

5th Anniversary Memorial Concert

 Musical Prayers

 

St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Chelsea)

346 West 20th St., New York , NY 10011

Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 8:00 pm

 

     

Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings

Antonin Dvorak: Nocturne in B Major

"5 Ave Maria Selections" by

Charles Gounod, 

Giulio Caccini, 

Franz Schubert, 

Pietro Mascagni,

Hideaki Hirai - U.S. premiere

Edward Grieg: "Last Spring" from Two Elegiac Melodies      

Hideaki Hirai: "Intermezzo" from the Opera,

 "KAGUYA-HIME" (Princess from the Moon) 

Hideaki Hirai: Lullaby of Sand (2011) - U. S. premiere*

Hampson Sisler: Cantata, "Japan Tragedy, 2011 "- U. S. premiere*                                        

*dedicated  to the victims of the great earthquake and tsunami

 

New York Festival Orchestra

New York Festival Chorus

Hideaki Hirai, conductor   

Asako Tamura, soprano

Nobuki Momma, baritone/narrator

Hampson Sisler, organist

Tickets: $20

Available online at nyfo.eventbrite.com

NYFO Office: Tel. 718-871-5041

E-mail: info@NYFO.org

 

 

Photo: (c) John Rust

"...Her voice is brilliant jewel of the voice..."

by Graeme Kay (British writer/broadcaster)

Asako Tamura, soprano

 

Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor

 

Hamspon Sisler, composer/organist  

 

Please come to share “Musical Prayers” in the Japan's  Earthquake and Tsunami 5th Anniversary Memorial Concert, filled with many favorite musical jewels, under the baton of our Music Director, Maestro Hideaki Hirai.

 

A special program features works by Samuel Barber, Antonin Dvorak, Edward Grieg, as well as the U. S premiere of the Cantata, “Japan Tragedy 2011”, dedicated to the victims of the Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami, by a renowned American composer, Hampson Sisler, with 2 guest soloists, Asako Tamura (Soprano) and Nobuki Momma (Baritone), along with NY Festival Chorus and Mr. Sisler at the organ himself.

 

NYFO is proud to present  “5 Ave Maria Selections”, including the U.S. premiere of Hideaki Hirai's own, sung by an internationally acclaimed Japanese Soprano, Asako Tamura, who appeared as soloist with the Three Tenors- Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras - in the 2002 World Cup Championship performance in Yokohama. 

 

Program also includes "Intermezzo" from Hideaki Hirai's Opera, "KAGUYA-HIME" (Princess from the Moon), which has been enthusiastically praised in Canberra (2006), Prague (2009), Salzburg (2012), Los Angeles (2015) among many other cities in Japan. Please do not miss this fantastic concert!

 

Photo: (c) John Rust

A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION 

St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Chelsea)

346 West 20th St., New York, NY 10011

Friday, December 18, 2015 at 7:00 pm

 

Mozart: Overture, "Apollo and Hyacinth", K. 38

Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirits from "Orpheus"

Beethoven: Romance in F, Op. 50

Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201

Bach: "Air on the G string" from the Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068

Hampson Sisler: The Divine Mystery from

                         "American National Holidays Suite"

Bach: Chorale, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"

"Christmas Carols" ~Let’s Sing Along! ~

 

New York Festival Orchestra 

Japan Choral Harmony ("TOMO")

Hideaki Hiraiconductor

 

~New Artists Showcase Vol. 1: Ari Boutris, violinist

Hampson Sisler, guest organist

 

Tickets: $20

Available at www.eventbrite.com  Search for "NYFO"

or CLICK HERE

NYFO Office: Tel. 718-871-5041

E-mail: info@NYFO.org
 

Please come to enjoy our Special Holiday Program including some of our most favorite musical jewels by Bach, Beethoven, Gluck, Mozart among others. Program includes a Hampson Sisler's beloved piece (The Divine Mystery) from his ever-pupular "American National Holidays Suite", performed by the composer himself as guest organist.

 

Let's Sing Along "Christmas Carols" with the New York Festival Orchestra!

As a soloist, we will feature a 15-year-old talented violinist, Ari Boutris, a pupil of Patinka Kopec, for Beethoven's beautiful masterwork, "Romance" in F for Violin and Orchestra.

Please join NY Festival Orchestra to celebrate the spirit of the great composers!

Mostly Beethoven Festival

Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center, New York

Thursday, March 5, 2015  7:30pm

 

Mozart: Overture, ”Marriage of Figaro” K. 492

Francesco Marino:"Misteri (Mysteries)" for Piano and String                                          Orchestra, <U.S. Premiere>

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major Op. 73, "Emperor"

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

 

Hideaki Hiraiconductor

Ivan Donchevpianist 

Tickets: Please visit http://tickets.kaufman-center.org

Box Office: Tel. 212 501 3330

Adult $30   Senior/Student $20

Main focus of the program is placed on Beethoven's two great masterworks, joined by Mozart's exciting, popular overture as well as the U.S. premiere of "Misteri" (Mysteries) by the Italian composer, Francesco Marino . After a sensational success at NYFO's debut at Carnegie Hall - Stern Auditorium, Maestro Hideaki Hirai returns to NYFO as its Music Director to launch our 2014-2015 season. 


As a soloist, we will feature a brilliant young pianist, Ivan Donchev, a pupil of Aldo Ciccolini, who described him as “an artist gifted with extraordinary musical and instrumental skills”

Please join NY Festival Orchestra to celebrate the spirit of the great composers!

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