Photo/Illutration Hiroki Shinada talks about the “Carmen” opera that will be performed at the Ojiya bullring in Niigata Prefecture next year. (Kazuhiro Itami)

OJIYA, Niigata Prefecture—Bizet is heading for the bullring.

A citizens performance group will stage “Carmen,” an opera featuring a bullfighter, at the Ojiya bullfighting facility in May next year in hopes of promoting local culture.

“It will be the first time for an opera to be held at a bullring in Japan,” said Hiroki Shinada, 32, head of the group who will serve as concert director. “I will organize it in the way that will prove helpful in making more people learn about the culture of Ojiya.”

Like in its previous event, the opera group will consist of both professional and amateur singers. Shinada himself is an opera singer from Ojiya.

The opera was initially scheduled for this year but has been delayed because of the novel coronavirus crisis. The steering committee, comprising Ojiya city and other parties, is overseeing the event.

The planned concert will mark the citizen group’s second public performance, following “The Love Potion,” a comedy composed by Gaetano Donizetti, held in April 2018.

The city asked Shinada, who had organized opera and other events in the area, to direct “The Love Potion” in commemoration of the renovation of Ojiya’s civic hall.

Shinada taught the amateur performers how to sing.

The same year, Shinada watched the traditional Tsunotsuki bull-versus-bull combat festivity for the first time at the suggestion of Ojiya Mayor Shoichi Otsuka. They talked about the “fascinating idea of organizing an opera at a bullring next time.”

The “Carmen” project started there.

“Carmen,” a tragedy created by French composer Georges Bizet, is set in Spain. It tells the story of a military officer, Don Jose, who is seduced by a girl named Carmen into helping her flee her imminent imprisonment.

Jose is jailed for the conduct and abandons his fiancee, but Carmen quickly falls in love with bullfighter Escamillo.

In Spanish bullfighting, the animals are often killed by the matadors. But in Tsunotsuki events, “seko” staff separate the bulls before they can kill each other.

“It would be unacceptable to change the French lyrics portraying the bullfighting scene, but we would like to alter the Japanese captions available at the venue, such as replacing ‘bullfighters’ with ‘seko,’ with Tsunotsuki in mind,” Shinada said.

In “The Love Potion” performance, Ojiya Chijimi fabric and embroidered designs based on “nishikigoi” carp were used for the costumes.

“I am considering how to direct the next concert so that cultural aspects of Ojiya can be shown off as well,” Shinada said. “I will present the show to the world through live streaming and videos.”

Vocalists were sought in March last year, and 34 citizens, ranging in age from 6 to 85, emerged. But because of the health crisis, they could not receive their first lessons until May 23 and 24 this year.

Extra members are still being solicited.

“At least 50 singers are needed,” Shinada said. “The opera lasts three hours but one can perform only in sections where they can.”

Around 30 instrument players are also needed for the orchestra. Organizers are asking amateur musicians in Niigata city to extend a helping hand.

“Carmen” will open at 5 p.m. on May 14. The show will be performed in city’s general gymnasium if it rains.

Ticket prices and other details have yet to be determined.

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