Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
note to a friend - scenes from rehearsal
Tickets available at japansoc.org/notetoafriend
In response to Japan Society’s commission for a new chamber opera, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang combined and reimagined three texts by iconic Japanese novelist Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The result is this stunning and haunting monodrama, note to a friend, addressing our eternal human fascination with death, love, family and suicide. Theater luminary Yoshi Oida, Paris-based opera director and longtime member of Peter Brook’s international theater company, directs this world premiere for the legendary New York vocalist Theo Bleckmann. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Japan, co-producer of this production, selects the featured string quartet members. You can’t miss this meetup of international gems!
Content Warning: This production contains references to suicide and depression, which some audiences may find distressing. If you need suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
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Visit: japansociety.org/page/calendar
Like: facebook.com/japansociety
Follow: twitter.com/japansociety
Watch: youtube.com/user/JapanSocietyNYC
Join: japansociety.org/page/support
Teach: aboutjapan.japansociety.org
note to a friend - scenes from rehearsal
Tickets available at japansoc.org/notetoafriend
In response to Japan Society’s commission for a new chamber opera, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang combined and reimagined three texts by iconic Japanese novelist Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The result is this stunning and haunting monodrama, note to a friend, addressing our eternal human fascination with death, love, family and suicide. Theater luminary Yoshi Oida, Paris-based opera director and longtime member of Peter Brook’s international theater company, directs this world premiere for the legendary New York vocalist Theo Bleckmann. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Japan, co-producer of this production, selects the featured string quartet members. You can’t miss this meetup of international gems!
Content Warning: This production contains references to suicide and depression, which some audiences may find distressing. If you need suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
------
Visit: japansociety.org/page/calendar
Like: facebook.com/japansociety
Follow: twitter.com/japansociety
Watch: youtube.com/user/JapanSocietyNYC
Join: japansociety.org/page/support
Teach: aboutjapan.japansociety.org
