Japan is shut for music business

Japan has shut down the Ozawa music academy and called off a tour by Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra. The country is shutting down all entertainments over the coronavirus scare, which is compounded by fear of losing the Olympic Games this summer.

Two press statements follow:

We regret to announce that we are cancelling the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project XVIII performances of Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus, which were scheduled for March 2020, in consideration of the spreading impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
The Seiji Ozawa Music Academy forms its orchestra with young, talented musicians who are chosen by audition from Japan and other Asian countries. Under the guidance of Academy Director Seiji Ozawa and coaches, they rehearse together with world-class singers and stage director to create an opera and then present those results in performances. Because this is an educational project that places value on the practice process and progress of growth, an environment where the students can focus with a feeling of security is very important.

(WASHINGTON)—The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) tour to Japan with Music Director Gianandrea Noseda has been canceled due to the rapidly changing developments related to COVID-19. The tour, scheduled from March 3–12, 2020, was set to be the NSO’s first international performances under Noseda’s leadership. Out of respect for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recent recommendation that major cultural events be cancelled for the next two weeks, and careful consideration of the situation in collaboration with its colleagues at Japan Arts Corporation, the NSO arrived at the unfortunate conclusion that the tour cannot proceed.