June 2022
Princess Anio Opera Project Secretariat

Princess Anio Opera Project
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Vietnam
Main Cast Presentation to be held on June 3rd in Hanoi, Vietnam
Presenting Four Soloist (each double cast) playing Princess Anio and Araki Sotaro
World premiere at Hanoi Opera House in September 2023!

In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan andVietnam in 2023, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and the Princess Anio Executive Committee(Brain Group, Yamaha Music Vietnam Company Limited, and the Association of International Exchange) haveannounced the production and premiere of a new opera titled Princess Anio.
This project aims both to promote exchange and friendship between Japan and Vietnam as well as to propel
their respective cultures of music forward. The world premiere will take place at the Hanoi Opera House in
September 2023.
The story of the opera revolves around the romance between Araki Sotaro, a merchant from Nagasaki, Japan,and Princess Anio from Hoi An, Vietnam, during the trading era of the Shuinsen in the early 17th century.
Japan and Vietnam have historically had a strong, trusting, and frank relationship. The production of this opera
aims to create a lasting symbol of the further deepening of relations between the two countries for the next 50,
100 years into the future.
Following the project press conference last year in December, this press conference will present the foursoloists who will play the lead roles of Princess Anio and Araki Sotaro (double cast). These young, talented
singers from Japan and Vietnam will challenge themselves with this historical work of art.
This project welcomes Yamada Takio, Japanese Ambassador in Vietnam, as its Honorary Advisor, and issupported by the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, the Ministry ofCulture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, and many organizations related to Japan and Vietnam.

Official Website URL： https://anio-opera.jp
QR Code：< Project Summary >Information as of June 3rd, 2022

Title

： Princess Anio Opera Project

A new opera, based on the history of diplomacy between the two countries nurtured from ancient times!
Project goals: To promote Japan-Vietnam culture exchange and friendship through musicTo commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Japan and Vietnam
To further develop the two countries’ friendship through musical exchange
To create a moving work based on the history of the two countries

Led by:Princess Anio Executive Committee(Brain Group, Yamaha Music Vietnam, Association of International Exchange)

Joint hosting: Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra< Princess Anio Opera Project >Honorary advisor: Yamada Takio (Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam)
Representative: Honna Tetsuji (Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra MusicDirector and Principal Conductor)
Co-representative: Trinh Tung Linh
(Director of Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra)
Furukawa Naomasa(Chairman of the Princess Anio Executive Committee)
Support:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam,
Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, Vietnam Musicians’ Association, Quang Nam Province,
Nagasaki Prefecture, Hoi An City, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry inVietnam, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City, The
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Da Nang, The Japan Foundation Center for
Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

Sponsorship: Platinum Supporters

Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.,
Toyota Motor Vietnam Co., Ltd., Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.

Gold Supporters
Eneos Vietnam Co., Ltd., Becamex Tokyu Co., Ltd.,
Nippon Steel Metal Products Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Collaboration: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall (Yokohama Arts Foundation), Almond Co., Ltd.,
Kajimoto, Roygent Parks Hanoi, GMO-Z.com RUNSYSTEM< Production >General Director:

Honna Tetsuji

Composer:

Tran Manh Hung

Drama:New Opera Princess Anio Project Production Team

Drama Lyrics (in Japanese): Oyama Daisuke
Lyrics (in Vietnamese):

Ha Quang MinhDirector:Oyama Daisuke

Performers:

Dao To Loan (Princess Anio), Bui Thi Trang (Princess Anio),
Kobori Yusuke (Araki Sotaro), Yamamoto Kohei (Araki Sotaro)

Co-production:

Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra,
Vietnam National Opera and Ballet

Production Advisor:

Tran Ly Ly

Key Visual:Ando Saeko

Stage Engineering:

Art Creation Co., Ltd.

Historical Experts:

Phan Hai Linh, Tomoda Hiromichi, Fukukawa Yuichi, Kikuchi Seiichi,
Ando Katsuhiro, Honma Sadao

General Producer:

Furukawa Naomasa

Producer:

Trinh Tung Linh, Tani Makoto, Sasaki Shinji

Project Cooperation:

Embassy of Japan in Vietnam

Profiles of Main Cast:
Princess Anio
Dao To Loan, Soprano
A multi-talented soprano singer, Dao To Loan from Thai Nguyen performs not onlyopera, but also many other genres ranging from pop to Vietnamese traditional music andfolk songs and has appeared as a soloist in national and international events.
She started studying singing in 2006 and received a scholarship to study in Germany in2012. In 2016 she graduated with a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Vietnam
National Academy of Music. She has studied under Associate Professor Tran Thi Ngoc
Lan and professors from Norway, Australia, and Canada.
Dao To Loan has won the First Prize at the Sao Mai National Singing Contest (2011), theFirst Prize and Audience Award at the Lidal North International Opera Workshop in Oslo(2014), the First Prize at the Singapore Lyric Opera – ASEAN Vocal Competition (2018), the Second Prize atthe Vietnam Opera Contest and the Gold Medal at the Duong 9 xanh Singing Contest (2019), as well as theThird Prize at the MAP International Music Competition in the United States (2021).
Princess Anio
Bui Thị Trang Soprano
A soprano singer from Thai Nguyen, Bui Thi Trang graduated in 2018 with a master'sdegree in Vocal Performance from Vietnam National Academy of Music, under theguidance of Professor and People's Artist Trung Kien.
A member of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet since 2013, she has performed as asoloist in numerous concerts. Her opera performances include Dorabella in Così fan tutte,
María in María de Buenos Aires, Frasquita in Carmen, H’ Nuon in The Sculptor by Do
Nhuan, and Fantine in Les Misérables. She has also participated in many art events heldby the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam in Korea, Thailand, and Russia.
Bui Thi Trang has received the Gold Medal at the National Professional Music and Dance
Festival (2021), the Second Prize at the Thai Nguyen Television Singing Festival (2010) and the Participation
Award at the National Opera and Chamber Music Singing Competition (2019).
Names are listed in Vietnamese alphabetical orderAraki Sotaro
Kobori, Yusuke Tenor
Originally from Fukushima prefecture. Graduated top of the class in the undergraduate
Vocal Music course and the Graduate School Opera Course at the Kunitachi College ofMusic. Completed opera training in the 2015 cohort at the New National Theatre Tokyo.
Finished 2nd in the Vocal Section at the 16th Tokyo Music Competition in 2018. Winnerof many awards, including 1st place in the Vocal Section at the 88th Music Competitionof Japan in 2019. Studied in Bologna under the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Program ofOverseas Study for Upcoming Artists. Studied at the Accademia Rossiniana in Pesaro andthe Rossini Opera Academy in Lunenburg in 2016, receiving instruction from theconductor Alberto Zedda. Made his European debut as Lindoro in L'italiana in Algeri at
the Tyrol Festival Theatre. After returning to Japan, his first appearance was as Tonio in La fille du régiment atBiwako Hall, followed by other roles including Don Ramiro in the Fujiwara Opera’s performance of La
Cenerentola and Nemorino in the Nissay Theatre’s performance of L'elisir d'amore. Member of the Japan RossiniSociety.

Araki Sotaro
Yamamoto, Kohei Tenor
Originally from Tottori prefecture. Graduated top of the class from the Graduate School ofTokyo University of the Arts, Kohei Yamamoto continued his studies in Italy. He has won
many awards, including the Milano Grand Prize at the Concorso di Lirica Italiana and theFirst Prize and the Best Singing Award at the Concorso Vocale Italo-Giapponese.
Among his most acclaimed opera performances are the title role in the Nikikai’s Don
Carlo, the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, Kashiwagi in the Kinkakuji directed by Amon
Miyamoto, Alwa in Lulu, and Tebaldo in I Capuleti e in Montecchi at the Nissay Theatre.
As a concert soloist, he has received high praise for his performances of Beethoven's NinthSymphony, Bach's Mass in B minor and Rossini's Petite messe solennelle. He has often
appeared in media, including programs such as NHK New Year Opera Concert, La La La Classic and Tokyu
Silvester Concert. Yamamoto has released two solo albums: Mi manchi and Non t'amo più. In 2013 heparticipated in CHANEL Pygmalion Days. He has been appointed as Tourism Ambassador for Yonago City andTottori Furusato Ambassador and is a member of Nikikai.

Names are listed in Japanese alphabetical order by last names

Contact information:
Princess Anio Project Secretariat
Please contact us via the official website inquiry page.

Official Website URL: https://anio-opera.jp
QR Code:Vietnam: Brain Communications, Luong Gia Kien
Japan: Brain Corporation, Sato Emma