Metzler friendship concert 2021

Under the patronage of the German Embassy in Tokyo and with the support of the Japanese Embassy in Berlin

We would like to celebrate 160 years of German-Japanese friendship with you. Let’s briefly recall: on January 24, 1861, Japan signed a friendship, trade and shipping treaty with Prussia that is now considered to have been the beginning of diplomatic relations between Germany and Japan. Today, as liberal and pluralistic democracies, the two countries share fundamental values and have close political, economic and social ties. It therefore seems fair to speak of a diplomatic success story.

Cultural exchange between the two countries is also intensive and multifaceted, as evidenced by the countless German-Japanese societies and collaborations in the higher education sector, for example. Moreover, the two countries share a love of classical music. As part of our long-standing partnership with the Frankfurt Opera, we have initiated a digital friendship concert.

Enjoy popular songs from the repertoire of a top-notch opera ensemble at any time:

• Kurt Weill’s „What Would The Moon Be“ from „Street Scene“
• Friedrich von Flotow’s aria „Oh So Pious“ from „Martha“
• Georges Bizet’s duet by Micaela and José from „Carmen“

US soprano and rising star Angela Vallone, US tenor AJ Glueckert, who has already made his debut at the New York Met, and Japanese up-and-coming pianist and conductor Takeshi Moriuchi are sure to enchant you in a view-per-click format.

With this concert, we would like to underline the systematic relevance of culture in our society – even more so in times like these. After all, music is a universal "language" that connects people from all over the world and builds bridges between different cultures, including Japan and Germany. This is an important aspect also addressed in welcoming words by Hidenao Yanagi, Japanese Ambassador in Berlin, and Ina Lepel, German Ambassador in Tokyo.