Hirofumi Misawa (conductor)
Born in Japan, graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Tokyo.
In 1984 he graduated from Hochschule der Kunste Berlin (Art University Berlin) :Conducting with honor (first prize).
His most important repertoire is Johann Sebastian Bach. The Hamamatsu Bach Society's Tour to Germany in 2001, conducted by Misawa with their performance of "Mass in B minor BWV 232" by Bach in Erfurt and Halle, was a great success.
He estabilished The Tokyo Baroque Scholars; inclusive orchestra and Chorus in 2006 and he is performing bach's music with this group very active.
His experience of coaching the Festival Choir at Bayreuth Music Festival from 1999 to 2003 (under Norbert Balatsch and Eberhard Friedrich) made him an expert of Wagner.
As a opera conductor he has very wide repertoire; all famous operas of Wagner and Verdi, Puccini and Mozart.
At the New National Theatre Tokyo, he conducted Engelbert Humperdinck 's "Hansel and Gretel" in 2002,and Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" in 2005,2007,2008.
He is also known as an arranger through his opera for children "Adventure of Siegfried" at the New National Theatre Tokyo which he conducted in 2004,2005 and 2008. His arrangement of the new opera "Space Turandot" which he also conducted in 2006 and 2007 was big News on TV, Newspapers and Magazines.
Wiener Staatsoper took "Adventure of Siegfried"as a child education program. This piece was changed the name as "Nieberungenring" and is performing since November 2007 until today.
Since November 2008 until today "Nieberungenring" is performing also in Opernhaus Zurich.
As a composer he has 3 big musical pieces;
"Onikoro|Love, come back again", "Love forever|The Life of Mary Magdalene" and "Nadine".
The CD "Hirofumi Misawa's Ein Deutsches Requiem" was recorded at the Special Concert of Tokyo Symphony Orchestra at Suntory Hall on the May 1st 2005.
Hirofumi Misawa is the Chorus Director at New National Theatre Tokyo since 2001.This chorus grew into one of the highest level's opera chorus in the world.
He conducted;
Symphonisches Orchester Berlin, Orchestra of St. Cecilia Dublin, Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra Monaco, MAF Orchestra Budapest, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, etc.