THE RETURN OF KANEKO 06-10-2009 Photo by Takashi Hatakeyama “It was a triumph.Critics don’t usually cheer. But I did.” These were the words of the Philadelphia Inquirer when reviewing the premiere of Jun Kaneko’s Fidelio production, commissioned by the Opera Company of Philadelphia in 2008. Now, both classical music and art enthusiasts are buzzing with anticipation about Kaneko’s Madama Butterfly, which opens the Opera Company’s 2009–2010 Season. London’s Opera magazine praised the production as “… a mixture of old traditions and modern aesthetic that was visually daring while remaining true to the essence of the music and drama.... a splendidly integrated work of art.” Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Jun Kaneko’s artwork appears in numerous international and national, solo and group exhibitions annually, and is included in more than 70 museum collections. Known for his commitment, energy and focus, Kaneko works fluently in diverse media and fields in the arts. He has realized over 30 public art commissions in the United States and Japan and is the recipient of national, state and organization fellowships. Kaneko holds honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Art in London, The University of Nebraska and the Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Photo by Takashi Hatakeyama It was the intense and stunning Madama Butterfly production, originally commissioned for his “home company,” Opera Omaha, in 2003, which moved OCP Artistic Director Robert Driver to commission Kaneko to bring forth a brand new production of Beethoven’s Fidelio. The production received audience and critical acclaim, with Philadelphia’s City Paper calling it “... the most visually striking production in its recent history. I rarely start reviews with sets and costumes, but artist Jun Kaneko’s designs for both are spectacular....” The Opera Company of Philadelphia is proud to partner once more this fall with Locks Gallery on Washington Square to bring Jun Kaneko’s work to Philadelphia. Stay tuned over the summer to learn more about this exciting artist and OCP’s partnerships in bringing Madama Butterfly to Philadelphia! Learn more about Madama Butterfly.
Photo by Takashi Hatakeyama
“It was a triumph.Critics don’t usually cheer. But I did.”
These were the words of the Philadelphia Inquirer when reviewing the premiere of Jun Kaneko’s Fidelio production, commissioned by the Opera Company of Philadelphia in 2008. Now, both classical music and art enthusiasts are buzzing with anticipation about Kaneko’s Madama Butterfly, which opens the Opera Company’s 2009–2010 Season. London’s Opera magazine praised the production as “… a mixture of old traditions and modern aesthetic that was visually daring while remaining true to the essence of the music and drama.... a splendidly integrated work of art.”
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Jun Kaneko’s artwork appears in numerous international and national, solo and group exhibitions annually, and is included in more than 70 museum collections. Known for his commitment, energy and focus, Kaneko works fluently in diverse media and fields in the arts. He has realized over 30 public art commissions in the United States and Japan and is the recipient of national, state and organization fellowships. Kaneko holds honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Art in London, The University of Nebraska and the Massachusetts College of Art & Design.
It was the intense and stunning Madama Butterfly production, originally commissioned for his “home company,” Opera Omaha, in 2003, which moved OCP Artistic Director Robert Driver to commission Kaneko to bring forth a brand new production of Beethoven’s Fidelio. The production received audience and critical acclaim, with Philadelphia’s City Paper calling it “... the most visually striking production in its recent history. I rarely start reviews with sets and costumes, but artist Jun Kaneko’s designs for both are spectacular....”
The Opera Company of Philadelphia is proud to partner once more this fall with Locks Gallery on Washington Square to bring Jun Kaneko’s work to Philadelphia. Stay tuned over the summer to learn more about this exciting artist and OCP’s partnerships in bringing Madama Butterfly to Philadelphia!
Learn more about Madama Butterfly.
