Photo= Conductor Seiji Ozawa (center) talks about the stage to the invited elementary school students before performing the operetta "Die Fledermaus"

Conductor Seiji Ozawa invited about 1500 elementary school students in Kyoto Prefecture for a performance of the operetta "Die Fledermaus" at ROHM Theater Kyoto in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, on February 15.

At first, Ozawa appeared on the stage with a smile, and gave a simple explanation about opera, saying, "There is a story in the music and dialogues are sung."

The event was planned for elementary school students to experience the spectacle of a live opera performance, and held as a part of the "Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project" to nurture young musicians. The stage and costumes were selected with the theme of Vienna in the late 19th century. A special digest version was performed on that day for the children.

Photo= Seiji Ozawa gives directions at the stage rehearsal