Ensemble Choir SPERA performs concerts in Nagasaki and Tokyo to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians.
Special Concert on the 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians
Conductor: Koji Oguchi
17 March, 2015 (Tue.)
After the Mass for the 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians (around 20:00)
Oura Capital Church (Nagasaki)
Numbered tickets are FULLY DISTRIBUTED.
Inquiry: Secretariat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki (050-3386-4980)
Programme: Koji Oguchi, Mass for Saint Mary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians (first performance), etc.
For further information, please visit here (Japanese).
Flyer can be downloaded from here.
Please see "Performances" for more information on the Special Concert.
The 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians with the Ensemble Choir SPERA in Tokyo
Conductor: Koji Oguchi
23 March, 2015 (Mon.)
Organ: Maki Nagase
Start: 19:00 (Open: 18:30)
Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall
Entrance Fee: 3,000 yen
Tickets will be on sale on November 22 (Sat)
Tickets are available from Opera City Ticket Centre (03-5353-9999) or e+ (eplus) (http://eplus.jp/sys/T1U14P0010843P006001P002142664P0030001)
Inquiry: 03-3486-5175 or office_cuore@icloud.com (Office Cuore)
Assisted by Daughters of St. Paul
Under the auspices of Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki and Kirisuto Shimbun, Co., Ltd.
Programmes are available from here (in Japanese).
Tickets are sold in shops in Sekiguchi Church (St. Mary's Cathedral) and St.Ignatius Church from 8 Jan.
- Space St. Paul (located in Sekiguchi Church) http://pauline.or.jp/shop/dspshop_map/m-3.html (in Japanese)
Office hours: 10:30-17:00 (Sunday: 9:00-17:00)
Closed on Mondays
- Shop in St. Igunatius Church http://pauline.or.jp/shop/dspshop_map/m-2.html (in Japanese)
Office hours: 11:00-19:00 (Sunday: 9:30-19:00)
Closed on Mondays
Flyers can be downloaded from the following.
Before SPERA’s concerts celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians, Koji Oguchi, choir director talked his passion for it.
Visit here.
Recommended Book
Daughters of St. Paul that assists “The 150th Anniversary of the Discovery of Japanese Christians with the Ensemble Choir SPERA in Tokyo” published Santa Maria no Gozowa Doko? Puchijan Shikyouno Shougai [Where is the statue of Saint Mary? Life of Bishop Petitjean] as a commemoration of the 150th Anniversary. Hajime Akiyama, a member of the Ensemble Choir SPERA, introduces it.
Santa Maria no Gozowa Doko? Puchijan Shikyouno Shougai [Where is the statue of Saint Mary? Life of Bishop Petitjean] written by Shinsuke Tani (Published by Daughters of St. Paul, 1,000 yen. Written in Japanese.)
You can purchase it from here
(in Japanese).
This book shows an overview of the Discovery of Japanese Christians dynamically. The Discovery of Japanese Christians illustrated not as an event took place on 17 March, 1865, but as one event in a big story. This book first illustrates a completion of the Oura Capital Church and the Discovery of Japanese Christians, history of kirishitan (Japanese Christians), activities of missionaries and a story of Father (later Bishop) Petitjean’s early life are introduced. In the last half, kirishitan experience of oppression and distress of missionaries are touched, and the book closes with the death of Bishop Petitjean. There are many stories in the book, but all of them are connected to the Discovery of Japanese Christians. This story is witten by Mr. Shinsuke Tani, author of juvenile literature with his gentle language.
As a member of a choir, I was particularly moved by the prediction of Martyr Sebastian (Basuchan). He said, “you will be able to sing Christian hymns loudly in public” (page 55). At the time, it must be an unthinkable action. But kirishitan kept their faith. I believe they looked at “hope” even in despair. They must believe that they will be able to express their faith publicly in the future. This hope assisted an event on 17 March, 1865. Nevertheless, kirishitan was oppressed even after the Discovery of Japanese Christians. Their faith was not allowed. That’s why the Discovery of Japanese Christians in Nagasaki is a little but strong hope in a continuous despair. I hope our performance in the Oura Capital Church on 17 March, 2015 delivers a SPERA (hope) to those who kept their faith for a long time.