Seiji Ozawa ‘recovered from cancer and planning next opera’
mainThe maestro, 78, has given an ebullient press conference at the Saito Kinen festival, which is to be renamed after him:
“That somebody like me, who has suffered a major illness and underwent surgery, can speak casually about death is proof that I’ve really recovered,” he said. “Either that, or I’m really dumb – but please think of me as being recovered and active.”
Full report here.
Wait. He “welcomes” the destruction of the Saito Kinen brand name he started jointly with Kazuyoshi Akiyama in 1984, eight years before the festival, and built up mostly single-handedly to global status?
Naming the hall at Tanglewood, which is actively used, was “a little bit like a tombstone,” but naming the festival after a conductor who will not long be able to perform there is a good idea?
Yes, perhaps he has become “really dumb.” And untrue to the Kinen of Hideo Saito he trumpeted all those years!
Ozawa is evidently a very nice, modest man with a sense of humour. He may not be my favourite conductor but I’m very glad he has overcome a series of life-threatening illnesses.
Wonderful news! I hope he continues to feel well and is able to give us many more concerts.
Wonderful news! I hope he continues to feel well enough to give us beautiful concerts and enjoy his family and friends.