Japanese Cultural Day in Cuba Presents Opera "The Ballerina"

As part of the Japanese Culture Day in Cuba, the opera "The Ballerina," an adaptation of a novel by Japanese writer Mori Ōgai, was presented today in the capital.

This is a 2014 adaptation by soprano Mami Amari, who also performs in it, interpreting the role of Ellis. She is joined by tenor Ren Yoshida (Toyotarō Ota), baritone Hiroshi Okawa (Kenkishi Aizawa), and pianist Akiko Hiura.

They are accompanied on stage by members of the Cuban ballet companies Olivian Dance and the children's theater group La Colmenita.

"I am immensely happy to be able to perform Japanese opera in Cuba, a nation of great beauty and captivating culture; the spiritual nobility of the Cuban people undoubtedly comes from their love for art," expressed Amari in a statement.

About the Original Work

The original work is considered autobiographical and is the first novel by Mori Ōgai, inspired by his experience as a military doctor in Germany in the late 19th century.

It recounts the tragic romance between Toyotarō Ota, a Japanese official residing in Germany, and the German ballerina Ellis, who seek to maintain their relationship in a strict society of arranged marriages where there is no place for free love.

Operatic Adaptation

In three acts and 10 scenes, Mami Amari incorporates elements of Noh theater and piano accompaniment, a reflection of her creativity.

The opera "The Ballerina" will be presented for the second and final time at the Miramar Theater, located in the Playa municipality of the capital, on November 23 at 5:00 p.m. local time.