Musikfest Berlin

As part of its 2026 European tour, the ensemble of the Kanze Noh Theater from Tokyo will visit Musikfest Berlin. Featuring Kiyokazu Kanze – the 26th Grand Master of the Kanze School – as its lead actor, the company will present three works of classical Noh theatre. The traditional Japanese theatre form was created around 700 years ago and is regarded as one of the oldest in the world. With its visual language, its sense of sound and its (musical) dramaturgy, Noh theatre has had a strong influence on European contemporary music. Its distinctive features include deliberately minimal means of expression, the use of masks and highly formalised physical movements. On the following day, Kiyokazu Kanze will offer unique insights into the world of Noh theatre as part of an education event reserved especially for children and young people.

Programme

Hagoromo (The Robe of Feathers), Dramatic Noh play (anonymous, ca. 14th/15th century)
Kaki Yamabushi (The Persimmon Thief), Kyōgen comedy (anonymous, ca. 14th/15th century)
Shakkyō (The Stone Bridge), Dramatic Noh play in shortened form (Han-Noh) (anonymous, ca. 14th/15th century)