On 11 and 12 September, Kent Nagano and the members of Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg collaborate with legendary Noh actor, Akihiro Yamamoto and his theatre members. The production called Spirit of the Moon is a collaboration work of new Noh play based on a story of Japanese folk tale Moon Rabbit and music of Arnold Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire conducted by Kent Nagano.

The world premiere takes place on 11 September at Yachiyoza in Yamaga where Nagano​’s grandparents were born and raised before they emigrated to the US. The second performance will take place at Yamamoto Noh Theatre in Osaka on 12 September. 

The performance at Yachiyoza is part of Kumamoto Restoration International Music Festival. Prior to the Spirit of the Moon performance, Kent Nagano will conduct a concert with Kyushu Symphony Orchestra on 9 September at Kumamoto Prefecture Theatre, and he and the members of Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg will perform in a chamber music concert with a local children choir on 10 September at Yachiyoza.