Opera in one act by Toshio Hosokawa Libretto by Toshio Hosokawa based on the No theater play "Hanjo" by Yukio Mishima in the translation by Donald Keene
Young Hanako waits at the station every day for her lover Yoshio to return. Every evening she returns home disappointed. She lives with the artist Jitsuko, who watches over her with passion. While Hanako is consumed with longing, Jitsuko fears that Yoshio will actually return one day ...
In Hanjo , the famous writer Yukio Mishima (1925 - 1970) adapted a work of traditional Japanese Nō theater from the 14th century for modern times. The play deals with the theme of waiting, reflecting the will to love, the difficulty of opening up to life changes and the unevenly distributed ability to grasp happiness.
The deeply human dimension of the piece inspired the celebrated composer Toshio Hosokawa (born 1955) to create a chamber opera of fascinating beauty. Through the subtle emotional nuances of his multi-layered, organic soundscape, Hosokawa invites us to a touching, contemplative and insightful experience.
Opera director Judith Lebiez makes her directorial debut in Schwerin with this production of Hanjo .
Commissioned by the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence
With the kind permission of Schott Music Company Limited
