AOKI Ryoko

Born in Oita
Based in Tokyo

Aoki majored in Noh theatre (Kanze-ryu shite-kata) in the Japanese Music Department, Tokyo National University of the Arts and later completed a doctorate degree at London University. She has been involved with major composers from around the world in Noh theatre and contemporary music collaborations. Since 2010, she has hosted a series of performances with international composers and released her debut CD Noh × Contemporary Music in 2014. She has been invited to perform at music festivals in Japan and throughout the world and has also appeared on stage at various opera houses around the world. In 2013, she made her debut in the role of Malinche in the opera composed by Wolfgang Rihm, The Conquest of Mexico (featuring Pierre Audi) at the Teatro Real in Madrid under Gerard Mortier, a performance acclaimed throughout the press (2015 Agency for Cultural Affairs cultural exchange).
At Aichi Triennale, the noh opera Himitsu no Neya by spirited French composer Aurélien Dumont will have its world premiere. Modeled on the noh play Adachigahara (Kurozuka), this theatrical work is accompanied by an ensemble with violins and cellos, and noh chanting. Aoki will play both roles of shite and waki.