Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre “Cavalleria Rusticana” “Pagliacci” Ticket Information

• February 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm
  Event date:
• February 15, 2026 at 10:00 pm
  Event end:

Overview

Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre presents “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” (the iconic “Cav-Pag” double bill of Italian verismo masterpieces) in a historic partnership with London’s Royal Opera House, importing the Laurence Olivier Award-winning 2016 production by director Damiano Michieletto for its Japanese premiere.

This centennial celebration of Yukio Mishima’s birth (though the play ties loosely to themes of desire and morality) features conductor Andrea Battistoni leading the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Nikikai Chorus, with a stellar cast alternating across four performances from February 12 to 15, 2026, at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall in Tokyo.

Highlights include Masako Okada and Yuko Tsuchiya as Santuzza in Mascagni’s tale of jealousy and honor in a Sicilian village, and Michiko Takeda and Ikufumi Nakagawa as Nedda in Leoncavallo’s tragic clown troupe story, performed in original Italian with Japanese and English supertitles. Running ~3.5 hours total (each opera ~1.5 hours with intermission), the production’s stark realism and emotional intensity have been lauded globally; expect a visceral exploration of passion’s dark side.

Tickets range from ¥3,000 (E seats) to ¥22,000 (S seats), with U-39 same-day exchange at ¥10,000 (ID required); pre-sale until October 17, 2025, 23:59 JST, general sale from October 18, 2025, 10:00 JST. The ~2,300-seat hall, a Ueno cultural landmark near museums, offers superb acoustics. Preschool children not permitted; wheelchair/student seats via Nikikai Ticket Center (phone only for wheelchair). Secure via Ticket Space due to high demand for this award-winning import.

Why Attend

• Verismo Double Bill: Mascagni’s raw Sicilian drama and Leoncavallo’s clown tragedy, capturing love’s fatal fury in Michieletto’s Olivier-winning vision.
• Elite Collaboration: Battistoni’s fiery conducting with Tokyo Philharmonic, plus Nikikai’s top sopranos like Okada (Puccini Festival alum) and Takeda (Bari Butterfly lead).
• Intimate Grandeur: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (~2,300 seats) ensures immersive sound for the operas’ explosive arias and interludes.
• Youth Access: U-39 exchange at ¥10,000 (S/A equivalent) invites emerging opera fans (ID at box office).
• Ueno Elegance: Near Tokyo National Museum and cherry blossoms (early season), ideal for a cultural Tokyo day.

Ticket Information

Event Date & Time

• Tokyo: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall
  • February 12, 2026 (Thu): 18:00 (doors 17:00).
  • February 13, 2026 (Fri): 14:00 (doors 13:00).
  • February 14, 2026 (Sat): 14:00 (doors 13:00).
  • February 15, 2026 (Sun): 14:00 (doors 13:00).

Program

• Double bill: Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” (jealousy-fueled village duel) followed by Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” (troupe’s tragic commedia dell’arte).
• Performed in Italian with Japanese/English supertitles; new production emphasizing verismo realism.
• ~3.5 hours total (each ~1.5 hours + intermission), subject to change.

Performers

• Conductor: Andrea Battistoni.
• Director: Damiano Michieletto.
• Chorus: Nikikai Chorus.
• Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Cast (Alternating):
  • Cavalleria Rusticana: Santuzza (Masako Okada Feb 12/14; Yuko Tsuchiya Feb 13/15), Lola (Eiko Koizumi Feb 12/14; Akiko Goka Feb 13/15), Turiddu (Takeo Maekawa Feb 12/14; Kota Murakami Feb 13/15), Alfio (Shunsuke Imai Feb 12/14; Hiroshi Okawa Feb 13/15), Lucia (Asako Yoda Feb 12/14; Sakiko Kobayashi Feb 13/15).
  • Pagliacci: Nedda (Michiko Takeda Feb 12/14; Ikufumi Nakagawa Feb 13/15), Canio (Tatsuya Higuchi Feb 12/14; Shota Shimomura Feb 13/15), Tonio (Shunsuke Imai Feb 12/14; Hiroshi Okawa Feb 13/15), Pepe (Masato Takada Feb 12/14; Ren Yoshida Feb 13/15), Silvio (Takashi Yonashiro Feb 12/14; Hideki Matayoshi Feb 13/15).

Duration

Approximately 3.5 hours, based on standard “Cav-Pag” double bills.

Performance Period

February 12–15, 2026 (four performances).

Venue Website

• Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall: https://www.t-bunka.jp/en/

Purchase Channels

• Contact Jasumo for ticket assistance via the Jasumo Contact Form.
• Official Ticket Platforms:
  • Ticket Space: 03-3234-9999.
  • Nikikai Ticket Center (wheelchair/student seats only): Phone reservation.
• Pre-Sale (Seat Selection): Until October 17, 2025, 23:59 JST.
• General Sale: From October 18, 2025, 10:00 JST.
• U-39 Same-Day Exchange: Available at box office on performance day (¥10,000 for S/A equivalent; ID required).
• Same-Day Tickets: Limited at box office ~30 minutes before doors, if available; expect tiered pricing.
• Travel Support: For trains, contact JR East or Tokyo Tourism.

Ticket Types & Pricing

Official Pricing (Tax Included)

• Feb 12 (Thu): S ¥21,000; A ¥17,000; B ¥13,000; C ¥10,000; D ¥6,000; E ¥3,000.
• Feb 13–15 (Fri–Sun): S ¥22,000; A ¥18,000; B ¥14,000; C ¥10,000; D ¥6,000; E ¥3,000.
• U-39 Same-Day Exchange: ¥10,000 (under 39 on event day; ID required).

Reseller Pricing (Per Ticket, Subject to Change)

• Reserved Seats: ¥4,000–¥25,000, ~20–50 tickets post-sale, based on opera trends; limited resale due to short run.

Notes

• All seats reserved with seat selection; preschool children not permitted; elementary school students and above require tickets.
• Cancellations/changes not possible post-purchase; cast subject to change.
• Wheelchair/student seats via Nikikai Ticket Center (phone for wheelchair).
• Performed in Italian with Japanese/English supertitles; new production.
• Secure via Jasumo by October 18, 2025, for official pricing to avoid resales, given the ~2,300-seat capacity and Royal Opera prestige.

Sales Schedule

• Pre-Sale: Until October 17, 2025, 23:59 JST.
• General Sale: From October 18, 2025, 10:00 JST.
• Same-Day: Limited if available; U-39 exchange at box office.

Venue Details

• Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall (Tokyo)
  • Location: 14 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007.
  • Capacity: ~2,300 seats.
  • Access: 5-min walk from Ueno Station (JR Yamanote Line); direct from Ueno Park.
  • Attractions: Tokyo National Museum (5-min walk), Ueno Park (on-site, cherry blossoms), Ameyoko Market (10-min walk).

Booking with Jasumo

• How: Contact via the Jasumo Contact Form. Specify date, time, and ticket type (e.g., A Seat, 2 tickets).
• Benefits: Bilingual support for Ticket Space or Nikikai Ticket Center, assistance with Japanese ticketing systems and seat selection, group bookings up to 4 tickets, U-39 guidance.
• Note: Book by October 18, 2025, for official pricing; resales may reach ¥25,000 due to the double bill’s acclaim and limited dates.

Inquiries

• Performance and Ticket Inquiries:
  • Ticket Space: 03-3234-9999.
  • Nikikai Ticket Center (wheelchair/student): Phone only.
• Venue Inquiries: https://www.t-bunka.jp/en/.

Disclaimer

Jasumo provides a specialized facilitation service for foreign tourists and non-Japanese residents in Japan, assisting with ticket acquisition for cultural events like Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre “Cavalleria Rusticana” “Pagliacci” through authorized platforms like Ticket Space or Nikikai Ticket Center. We are not a ticket reseller and do not sell tickets directly. Our role is to guide international customers through the official booking process, addressing challenges such as:

• Language Barriers: Japanese-only ticketing systems; Jasumo offers bilingual support.
• Local Platforms: Assistance with registration, payments, and phone reservations for wheelchair/student seats.
• High Demand: Limited four-performance run and Olivier-winning production make tickets competitive; we manage deadlines to maximize chances. Securing tickets is not guaranteed. Book via Jasumo by October 18, 2025, for official pricing to avoid inflated resales. For travel planning, we can coordinate with Tokyo Tourism.

Reviews

• Michieletto’s Cav-Pag pulses with verismo fire—Battistoni’s orchestra scorches!
• Jasumo secured S seats; Bunka Kaikan’s acoustics elevated Okada’s Santuzza!
• A Ueno triumph near the museum—Mishima’s shadow lingers in this Royal gem!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the program for Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre “Cavalleria Rusticana” “Pagliacci”?

A: Verismo double bill: Mascagni’s Sicilian jealousy drama and Leoncavallo’s clown tragedy, ~3.5 hours with intermission, subject to change.

Q2: Can international fans buy tickets without speaking Japanese?

A: Yes, Jasumo offers bilingual assistance for Ticket Space. Contact via the Jasumo Contact Form by October 18, 2025.

Q3: Are children allowed, and what are the policies?

A: Preschool children not permitted; elementary school students and above require tickets (¥3,000+).

Q4: What are the accessibility accommodations at the venue?

A: Wheelchair seats available via Nikikai Ticket Center (phone); contact post-purchase for arrangements.

Q5: Why is this event special?

A: Olivier-winning Royal Opera production debuting in Japan, starring Nikikai stars like Okada and Takeda, in ~2,300-seat Bunka Kaikan near Ueno’s cultural heart.

Location