Maestro, Ambassador, and Company Executive Reflect on the Music Festival

08/16/2024　Corporate Activities

On July 5 and 6, the International Festival Operetta at Kaunas Castle took place. Hirofumi Yoshida, who conducted the opera, Ambassador Tetsu Ozaki from the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania, and our Executive Officer Takafumi Shigenoya, who is also a director of our joint venture in Lithuania, DG DIMENSE, had a discussion. They reflected on the music festival and spoke about the future of Japan and Lithuania. (Photo above, from left: Ambassador Tetsu Ozaki, Hirofumi Yoshida, Takafumi Shigenoya)
Details about the music festival
Interview with Hirofumi Yoshida

Reflecting on the Music Festival

Host: First, could each of you share your recent activities and connections with Lithuania?

Ambassador Ozaki:
I have been stationed in Lithuania for 2 years and 9 months. This year, I focused on the “International Festival Operetta at Kaunas Castle” and the “Song Celebration.” It was an honor to be involved in such a grand cultural exchange connecting Japan and Lithuania at this music festival. I first met Maestro Yoshida in June last year and the representatives from Roland DG in October. I am deeply grateful for what we were able to accomplish in such a short period.

Yoshida:
I visited Lithuania for the first time last year. I was also guided through the Sugihara House *. At the time, I had received a conducting offer from the Odessa Opera House in Ukraine and was uncertain about it. However, sitting in the office chair where Sugihara wrote visas, I decided to go to the Odessa Opera House. I felt that Sugihara’s mission of saving lives and my mission as a musician to go where music was needed held the same significance.

* Note: Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat who served as vice-consul in Kaunas during World War II. In Kaunas, he issued visas to many Jewish refugees fleeing from Nazi-occupied Poland, helping them escape via Japan. The former consulate in Kaunas is now open to the public as a museum.

Shigenoya:
I first came to Lithuania in June 2022 to establish our joint venture, DG DIMENSE. We founded the company in October 2023 and I relocated here in December 2023. After hearing about this music festival and Yoshida’s performance in Ukraine from the embassy, I was determined to participate and contribute to the Japan-Lithuania exchange. It became an event I was deeply committed to despite the short preparation period.

A Performance that Embraces Japanese Identity

How did you feel after completing the music festival?

Yoshida:
I usually work in Italy, the home of opera, and I believe we delivered a performance that stood on par with those standards. Madame Butterfly, set in Japan, allowed us to incorporate our cultural identity into the performance, which was well received. The performers used questions directed at Japanese vocalists as a means to foster an exchange through the performance.
The orchestra played with incredible focus during the main performance. The fact that Japanese vocalists came to perform an opera about Japan, with the support of the embassy, made it a truly rewarding event.

Shigenoya:
The president of DG DIMENSE also attended and said it was the best opera he had ever seen. Many people around me were moved to tears. I was reading the subtitles, but it felt so immersive that I forgot I was reading. It was a deeply moving experience.

Ambassador Ozaki:
Initially, the organizers in Kaunas suggested that Yoshida could just select the soloists. However, Yoshida wanted to make this festival a platform for Japanese soloists to shine globally, so he insisted on holding auditions and providing vocal training. The embassy staff were overwhelmed by the logistics of auditions and training, but the successful performance made it all worthwhile. Everyone was thrilled, saying “Bravo.”

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  Junko Ueda as Cio-Cio-San and Mae Hayashi as Suzuki (photo by Teodoras Biliūnas)

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  Tsukasa Ide as Goro (photo by Teodoras Biliūnas)

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  Masashi Tomosugi as Bonze (photo by Teodoras Biliūnas)

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  Conductor Hirofumi Yoshida (photo by Teodoras Biliūnas)

Yoshida:
I’m deeply moved right now. I’m glad I gave it my all. It means a lot to hear that people in Lithuania, where music is held in high regard, appreciated our efforts. I believe I fulfilled my role as a conductor.

Determined to Stand on the World Stage

Shigenoya:
A phrase from Yoshida’s interview that resonated with me was about Japanese people often saying, “We’ll do our best, but we may not be world-class.” Yoshida emphasized that if you’re going to do something, you must aim to be the best in the world. Roland DG, with 90% of its sales overseas, must compete globally. Yoshida’s words struck a chord with me, reinforcing the necessity of such a mindset to succeed internationally.

Yoshida:
I always tell my juniors that once you’re on stage, you must consider yourself equal to the best. If you don’t, you won’t perform to your potential. It’s essential to tell the audience, “Please enjoy my world-class performance today.”

Shigenoya:
This applies equally to business. Our company aims to make a global impact, so Yoshida’s words are profoundly insightful.

Ambassador Ozaki:
Roland DG is competing globally, and its purpose of “To Empower Creativity and Excitement Worldwide” aligns perfectly with Yoshida’s vision in this opera project. It’s a wonderful coincidence that reflects our shared goals.

Building a Bridge with Lithuania

Has this music festival deepened the relationship between Japan and Lithuania?

Ambassador Ozaki:
Lithuania achieved independence from the Soviet Union through the “Singing Revolution” with nonviolent resistance. Building a cultural bridge through music, as we did with this festival, is truly remarkable. The collaboration between Japanese soloists and conductors with Lithuanian organizers is highly commendable.

Yoshida:
I feel this festival has created a two-way bridge. I hope more people in Japan learn about Lithuania and Chiune Sugihara. It’s a place worth visiting, especially for educational trips.

Ambassador Ozaki:
I hope schools from all over Japan visit.

Yoshida:
It’s definitely worthwhile. At the Sugihara House, I felt that it’s my mission to help those in need through music, a role that music undeniably plays. I hope for greater mutual understanding between our countries.

Shigenoya:
In business, we are advancing joint development and sales between Lithuania and Japan. By combining our technologies, we aim to deliver excitement and amazement to the world. We plan to renovate the walls of the Sugihara House using Roland DG and DG DIMENSE’s technologies. Step by step, we strive to build a bridge between our nations.

Increasing Awareness of Lithuania in Japan

What do you think is needed to deepen the relationship between Japan and Lithuania?

Ambassador Ozaki:
Lithuania has a strong affinity for Japan, with many people traveling there. However, the level of awareness about Lithuania in Japan is still quite low. Japanese people need to learn more about Lithuania. Visiting Lithuania can provide valuable insights into Japanese history as well. I hope Japan leverages these opportunities.

Yoshida:
After the festival, many people asked for my autograph and spoke to me in Japanese, expressing their interest in Japan. Japanese people should value Lithuania more and recognize it as a country we can collaborate with in various fields. As a musician, I aim to foster exchanges through the power of music.

Shigenoya:
As both of you mentioned, Lithuanians know a lot about Japan and often travel there. However, it’s rare to encounter Asians in Lithuania. I encourage our employees traveling to Europe to also visit Lithuania and share its charms. I hope to contribute in this way, even if only slightly.

Thank you all for your time.