Chikara Imamura

Chikara Imamura，Conductor

Born in 1954, Chikara, the esteemed conductor of the Polish National Opera, boasts a distinguished musical career. Graduating from Kunitachi College of Music and completing a research student course at Toho Gakuen University, he honed his craft under the tutelage of renowned mentors including Karajan, Horvath, Ferrara, Seiji Ozawa, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Tadaaki Otaka, and Masamitsu Takashina.

In 1977, Chikara conducted the Berliner Philharmoniker, clinching victory in the prestigious Karajan Competition Japan. The following year, he undertook studies in Salzburg and Berlin at the invitation of Karajan. In 1980, he achieved recognition in the Italy Cantelli International Conductor Competition, ranking among the top four. Notably, in 1983, he secured first prize at the Wittelberg International Conductor Competition in Poland.

Chikara's conducting prowess extends globally, having led numerous esteemed orchestras across Europe, the United States, and Japan—totaling 34 orchestras in 12 countries. Notable ensembles include the Italian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. In Japan, he has graced the podium as a guest conductor for 24 major orchestras nationwide.

Furthermore, Chikara played a pivotal role in founding new orchestras such as Sinfonia Varsovia (Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, 1984-05), Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa (1988-1990), and Tokyo Harmonia Chamber Orchestra (1990-1996), showcasing his ability to cultivate world-class musical ensembles.

Since 1999, Chikara has served as the conductor of the Polish National Opera, becoming the first Japanese permanent conductor in 2002. He has actively fostered cultural exchange, leading events like the "Japanese Evening" hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Poland. Notably, in 2009, he assumed the role of music director for the Italy-Belgium-Poland co-production "Samson and Delilah," leaving an indelible mark on the world's leading opera theaters, including Opera Spoleto and Teatro alla Scala.

Alongside his conducting career, Chikara has dedicated 24 years to teaching at Kunitachi College of Music and currently holds a position as a visiting professor at Shobi Gakuen University. He also serves as the Music Director of the Tama Philharmonia Association and President of the Japan Lutoslawski Association, demonstrating his active engagement in the global music community.

★ Criticism:

Music magazine "Ruch Muzyczny (Music Trends)" May 31 issue / Józef Kanski = (ruch muzyczny 31 MAJA)

The stage production, realized through collaboration with the Bologna and Liege Opera Houses and the Santander Music Festival in Switzerland, was impeccably guided by Chikara Imamura, a distinguished Japanese conductor. Imamura's exceptional talent was recognized in 1983 when he won the Grzegosz Vitelberg Conducting Competition in Katowice. Under his baton, the Wroclaw Opera Orchestra delivered a stellar performance. The chorus, under the expert guidance of Maugózata Olafska, exhibited beautiful singing voices, enhancing the overall power of the production. As for the stage direction, opinions may vary. However, when led by a conductor as inspired and focused as Noh Imamura, the artistic quality reaches unparalleled heights. Mandelssohn's Italian symphonies, seldom experienced firsthand, were skillfully manipulated, meticulously combined, and performed with utmost rigor. Imamura's presence of mind and technical precision were evident throughout, resulting in a truly captivating performance. (Germany Neue Rhein Zeitung vom 2005.04.12)

★ Repertoire:

Opera "La Bohème" "Madame Butterfly" "Cavalleria Rusticana" "Samson and Delilah" "The Marriage of Figaro" "Cosi Fan Tutte" "Don Giovanni" "The Magic Flute" etc.

Symphonic works: Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, R. Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, etc.

★ Ensembles and theaters He has conducted:

Berliner Philharmoniker, North German Philharmonic Orchestra, Milan Scala Orchestra, RAI Italian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Milan Pomerridge Musicale Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, Salzburg Cathedral Orchestra, Prague Virtuosi, Czech Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Polish National Philharmonic Orchestra (Krakow, Silesia, Poznań Lodz, etc.), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Danish Oahus Symphony Orchestra, West Virginia, USA Hibiki, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Shinsei Japan Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Osaka Century Symphony Orchestra, Kyoto City Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Kyushu Symphony Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Gunma Symphony Orchestra, Yamagata Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Tokyo Harmonia Chamber Orchestra, Nara Chamber Orchestra, Polish National Anthem Theater (Warsaw), Great National Theater in Lodz, Poland, Spoleto Opera, Italy, Enschede National Opera, Netherlands, Dutch National Dance Theater (The Hague), Stara Zagora National Opera, Bulgaria.

New National Theatre, Tokyo Chamber Opera, Tokyo Globe Theater, Osaka College of Music College Opera House, Kunitachi College of Music Opera Study Group, etc.

Polish National Opera Guest Conductor, Polish Wroclaw Opera Guest Conductor, Bulgarian National Stara Zagora Opera Guest Conductor, Kunitachi College of Music Conducting Lecturer, Tama Philharmonia Society Music Director, Japan Lutoslawski Association Vice President, Japan Performance He is a member of the Federation, a member of the Japan Conductors Association, and a member of the Tokyo Chamber Opera Conductor.

photo credit

© Dariusz Gdesz