Fete de la Musique au Japon 2006, now in its fifth year, takes place in the Kansai area June 17-18 and June 21 in Osaka, Kobe, Miho, Suita, Takatsuki, Ibaraki and Otsu.
The festival, first held in Japan in Osaka in 2002, is modeled after the long-running Fe^te de la Musique, which was first held June 21 1982 in France on the day of the summer solstice.
The festival is now held annually in some 120 regions around the world to coincide with the summer solstice.
This year, both professional and amateur musicians will take part, performing classical music, jazz and folk across 26 venues, including the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, and at schools, concert halls and churches throughout Kansai.
Admission to all concerts is free.
On June 17, pianist Kayoko Ito, whose repertoire includes Chopin, will hold a solo concert from 1 p.m. at the Hilton Osaka hotel. On the following afternoon, gospel choir Chant Chant will hold a concert from 1 p.m. at Suntory Museum. On June 20, Ensemble Aru will hold a harp concert from 2:30 p.m. at Kobe NHK Hall.
According to the festival organizers, in the last four years of Fe^te de la Musique au Japon, approximately 2,400 musicians have performed across a total of 100 venues, attracting an estimated 50,000 visitors.
For further information, call (06) 6456-1630 or visit www.mediatv.ne.jp/ongakunosaijitsu/
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